I want a backyard like this

I want a backyard like this children's garden at the U of Minnesota Arboretum.

What a fun stage! The curtains are made of burlap. We also had tons of fun using paint brushes and water to "paint" the walls.

Who doesn't like to climb on logs? Reminds me of my childhood.

This use bent rebar and burlap to create a changing hideaway.

What an easy ship to create.

I love how simple this fence is to create. Twigs and grapevines.

A Little Free Library makes this space perfect.

I absolutely LOVE this idea. My kids would have stayed here forever and played if I would have let them. They preferred having this box to catch the sand in part because then they could dig it out from there, as well. The other option was to have the PVC pipe empty right out onto the ground. In another area, water was hooked up to PVC like this to create a fun sand and water play area.

The perfect size stoop for a 15-month-old.

Consider planting easy-to-care-for vegetables and flowers in a Children's Garden. I'd like to plant these around my other plantings.

A living hideout!

Really, aren't you inspired?

With all the data out there about how kids benefit from natural play areas, it makes sense to create them in a small city backyard, doesn't it? I just so happen to have lots of downed trees and branches from the storms of the summer. With a little rebar and some PVC, I can envision a wonderful playzone for my kids.

Tea Time

Poetry and tea.

Sounds like the perfect combination to me.

So, this year, we're doing Tuesday Tea Times, following the recommendation of the Brave Writer. We're each bringing some poetry to share, and perhaps a treat. Plus, it's an incentive for my dear daughter to memorize the poems that go with her Wee Folk Art Preschool Curriculum.

The Brave Writer (aka Julie) recommends making it a big deal, by using pretty dishes and tableclothes.

Here's what else she has to say:

Once everyone has his or her tea and food, reading can begin. Ask for a volunteer to start. Poetry ought to be read with an empty mouth. Each person can read one or two poems (depending on length). Of course, sometimes our family has gone wild and read multiple poems a piece because we can’t stop! There is no need to analyze the poem. Enjoy it. Laugh at its humor, enjoy its rhythm, listen to the rhyme. You might comment on it, but that’s not required. - See more at: http://www.bravewriter.com/bwl/poetry-teatimes/#sthash.QI4AWDWo.dpuf

Once everyone has his or her tea and food, reading can begin. Ask for a volunteer to start. Poetry ought to be read with an empty mouth. Each person can read one or two poems (depending on length). Of course, sometimes our family has gone wild and read multiple poems a piece because we can’t stop! There is no need to analyze the poem. Enjoy it. Laugh at its humor, enjoy its rhythm, listen to the rhyme. You might comment on it, but that’s not required. - See more at: http://www.bravewriter.com/bwl/poetry-teatimes/#sthash.QI4AWDWo.dpuf

"Once everyone has his or her tea and food, reading can begin. Ask for a volunteer to start. Poetry ought to be read with an empty mouth. Each person can read one or two poems (depending on length). Of course, sometimes our family has gone wild and read multiple poems a piece because we can’t stop! There is no need to analyze the poem. Enjoy it. Laugh at its humor, enjoy its rhythm, listen to the rhyme. You might comment on it, but that’s not required."

See more at: http://www.bravewriter.com/bwl/poetry-teatimes/#sthash.QI4AWDWo.dpuf

The daughter opted to bring her Fancy Nancy book of poetry with for our first tea party.

A tale of Tea-ger having a tea party came with one box of tea, so we had to read it!

 

Once everyone has his or her tea and food, reading can begin. Ask for a volunteer to start. Poetry ought to be read with an empty mouth. Each person can read one or two poems (depending on length). Of course, sometimes our family has gone wild and read multiple poems a piece because we can’t stop! There is no need to analyze the poem. Enjoy it. Laugh at its humor, enjoy its rhythm, listen to the rhyme. You might comment on it, but that’s not required. - See more at: http://www.bravewriter.com/bwl/poetry-teatimes/#sthash.QI4AWDWo.dpuf

Once everyone has his or her tea and food, reading can begin. Ask for a volunteer to start. Poetry ought to be read with an empty mouth. Each person can read one or two poems (depending on length). Of course, sometimes our family has gone wild and read multiple poems a piece because we can’t stop! There is no need to analyze the poem. Enjoy it. Laugh at its humor, enjoy its rhythm, listen to the rhyme. You might comment on it, but that’s not required. - See more at: http://www.bravewriter.com/bwl/poetry-teatimes/#sthash.QI4AWDWo.dpuf