What a tease, all of that warm weather. Transitioning back to more indoor play has been a bit of a bummer.
We are calling the sun, telling it to come back! Yesterday, we took terracotta pots and colored on them with crayons and chalk. Our designing phase was a lot of fun, and the weather forecast for this week suggests that we will be able to plant some seeds and starts in them. We are doing sunflowers and tomatoes, I think. Maybe we will do peas, too. There will be more gardening for the next several weeks, but we are starting simple. Our planters are very pretty thanks to the help of very creative kids!
Yesterday we studied the Backyard Chickens website a bit, and then clipped Godzilla and T-Rex’s wings. They are the problem girls of the bunch, especially silly Godzilla. She likes to fly over the fence and look for bugs. Huckleberry is more relaxed and generally follows the lead of the other two big hens, so I left her wings intact (for now!). The girls didn’t even notice I was messing with their wings, they were just happy to have treats.
We are excited to put our clothes back on the line today.
We had a quiet morning and things were mellow. Around lunch time, we decided to mix things up a bit and we went to Izzy’s Pizza!
Yum!
The food is nothing to rave about, really. But the experience is! It is not horrible food, per say (aint no Chucky E Cheese or McDonalds, to be sure!) but it is not local/organic/sustainable/particularly tasty.
The ability for the kids to manage their own experience is well worth it, though. I allow the kids guided independence, with some communication first, and then I get to watch them experience choices, unaided process (picking plates and sliver ware, fumbling and finally succeeding in self-serving each thing…) Izzy’s is far less stimulating than Papa’s Pizza (not that I am doggin’ Papa’s, don’t get me wrong! There are times when a trip to Papa’s Pizza is just the thing… but not when you want to actually eat) and is a lot of fun for kids. There is always something that that is tasty (this time it was some of the good stuff on the salad bar, and roasted yellow peppers on pesto pizza). I like the casual environment that is still “restaurant” enough to practice some manners in the field! The kiddos were great, of course! They washed hands, did not yell, and used very polite speech. I did these things right along side of them, and together we had a fun mutually-respectful experience.
Sora is groovin on those peas
I was impressed at the healthy choices that the kids made for themselves without suggestion. Yeah, there was pizza and ice cream, but both boys enjoyed the roasted green beans, helped themselves to the fresh fruit, and even made (and finished) salads.
There was discussion about things like carbohydrates, protein, and how tasty the chocolate covered fresh strawberries were (seriously, that made it worth it for me… I would go back again just for an “all you can eat chocolate covered strawberry buffet”!), but eating together, around a table, and showing by example healthful choices will setup framework for lifelong food choices. I have noticed (because I am now paying attention) that kids – my own, and with our daycare – are very aware of preferences, judgment, value, and enjoyment that the adults display concerning food. We had ice water to drink without any questions about soda, and I chalk that up to modeling; the adults got ice water, made salads, and enjoyed the green beans. The kids notice.
For the summer, we are making a commitment to not use our clothes dryer even once. We setup a cloths line system together and are using the good old fashion wooden clothespins! We have a few other goals for the next few weeks, too, like setting up some hay bales out back, designing a hay bale coop, raising some chicks and a baby turkey, getting a few baby bunnies to hold, cuddle, and eat our nice organic weeds! We have thought about getting a little pigmy goatie for milking, and taking her for walks. For right now, we are having a lot of fun with our clothes line!
Helping and playing
I set up a small basket with a few things for the kids to put up (and take down) without concern for if it is actually effective. At times, the clean clothes need to go through again after the little ones are done “helping”, but my goal is to get them as involved as I can, even if it means letting go of control or effectiveness!
With the spring showers, we are still adjusting, but we are still almost always caught up (well, not with folding, but that is because folding clothes is my least favorite chore!).
Check out this great video clip from the Colbert Report (from Bend, Oregon!): Backyard Clothesline
Babies in the kitchen!
Another Continuum Concept influenced activity is loading and unloading the dishwasher. I run dishes
"Thank you!"
pretty often, so I need a lot of good helpers! I take out anything sharp first, and then encourage the bebes to help me. Sometimes, we are too efficient, and there are no dishes left to load or unload. I enjoy having the kids with me, involved in the daily nuts-n-bolts of housework (instead of separated off with Toys or TV). I have a drawer with lids, plastic cups and containers, and plastic and metal utensils. The kids enjoy playing with these things, and really enjoy putting them in and out (and in and out and in and out and in and out…) of the dishwasher. There is a lot of trading, “thank you”s, and giggles. I also have a clean sponge that has never been used for anything other than play. I give it to the little kiddos so that they can help me “clean”.
I found some pretty bamboo mats. One is large enough for under our train table and one fits perfectly by the back door. I am thinking about going and snagging another large one for under the dining table, and another smaller one to replace (the now shabby by comparison) black mat under the little table and chairs.
Check out the new bamboo mat!
We also got a new blender! For under $25! We have been enjoying fruit, yogurt, and cream smoothies… Brown Cow makes some really yummy natural organic yogurt, and it is on sales right now at the Grocery Outlet (well today at least… may be gone forever tomorrow! Such is the nature of the Grocery Outlet!). While out shopping this week I got a big bag of frozen organic blueberries, fresh strawberries, and bananas of course. I also got a few bottles of lemon OMEGA 3 flax oil, and that compliments the yogurt nicely. Yum!
Remember being a kid and making potions in the bath or out of mud? This is just as fun!
Cars are more fun outside...
I am glad that the sun came out a bunch this week. We were able to play outside a lot. I grabbed a whole buncha sidewalk chalk while shopping early in the week, and we went through a few of them already. (The neighborhood kiddos helped.) The bin with the toy cars came out to the front and the cars are scattered amongst the plants and boards. The outside created a whole new imagination energy for the cars (kind of like the stairs do with the legos!) and I have zero interest in picking them up until the kids lose interest. I am happy to see the cars getting so much play attention! I have really enjoyed sitting out front with my coffee, observing the imagination.
The bebes played a game of “thank you” (handing cars back and forth to each other) several times this week.
I did not get to make it to the library today Friday.
I couldn't get him to show off the missing tooth.
My own son took an exciting trip over his bike handle bars last night, and we spent the early part of the day overwhelmed with emergency dental experiences. We are pretty lucky; he is going to be just fine. He goes in Monday for a root canal and a post/new tooth build. He knocked it out while showing off for the adorable little neighbor girl. His response, “I have no regrets”.
We have two new friends with us now, and we are pretty jazzed! One is a little girl that is about a year and a half old, and the other is a cool boy that is 7. My son is so happy to have a friend his age coming over sometimes. They are playing with the Pokemon cards right now!
The sun so bright and the air so warm, we are getting our vitamin D. Squirt guns have made an early appearance this year.
Guess what I found? Okay, this may be old news to some local folks, but not to me!
The Play Factory!
Once a small store, this place has really grown up!
The Toy Factory has a really rad play area! I fondly think of it as the “baby dogpark”… they have made a great space for social and community connections. We went and played, and I have to admit, I did not want to leave. There was a safe and designated space for “ride on” toys, a cozy spot with books and chairs so comfortable that I had to fight back a nap – that says a lot, considering how socially wound up I can get!
The play tables, which the toy store is popular for on their showroom, were perfect for “wobblers” and toddling toddlers. I was so envious of their plays structure. I want one! The whole setup is great, and the space is facilitated nicely. There is an organized area ideal for snacks (which the sell or you are welcomed to bring from home – very cool!) and the whole space is CLEAN! It is like a mini children’s museum, only less over-stimulating or chaotic.
I must say, if you can’t already tell, that I was super-duper impressed! Location is perfect, too; right across the street from The Beanery (aka The Heart Of Corvallis) and a nice little walk from the bus station at 5th and Monroe/The Public Library/Central Park.
I really enjoy being out n’ about… It seems a shame to be inside on nice days. Now, I am not afraid of the rain and wind; that is why we have jackets, right? But it is easier to sit in and play when the weather is gray. When the sun comes out, so do we! I sure do love Corvallis. This community has many unique and well supported outlets for families. What a great place to be a kid, yeah? I think so!
The Benton Public Library
Corvallis has one of the best libraries in the nation - just check ask Wiki!
We are so lucky to have such a lovely library! Open, inviting, warm; it just FEELS good!
Bedtime Storytime
All Ages
Mondays at 7:00 PM
Toddler Storytime
Ages 24 months to 36 months
Tuesdays at 10:00 AM
Infant Storytime
Ages Birth to 12 months
Wednesdays at 10:00 AM
Preschool Storytime
Ages 3 to 5 years old
Thursdays at 10:00 AM
Wobbler Storytime
Ages 12 months to 24 months
Fridays at 10:00 AM
We can catch the bus right by our house and get off in front of the library – just a short ride, and we are there. The library hosts many activities… I try to frequent the various parts of their website and stay aware of what is going on. There are weekly storytimes, of course.
I make it a goal to go the library at least once a week. Depending on care providing schedule and mood, we load up our diaper bags, top off our sippy cups, strap up the Ergo, and GO! Ideally, we go to the library on Tuesdays or Fridays, in time to attend the Storytimes on those days. When we are out already on Monday, it is hard to get into the swing of going out again Tuesday…. unless there is sunshine, birds singing, and we are bitten by the adventure bug!
Older kiddos come along with and are not excluded from the fun (my son, Zion, for instance… he is 7 years old and comes along too!).
During Storytime is a perfect opportunity for older kids to enjoy the library’s computers and assortment of educational games. The library has a 30 minute computer use limit per day for each child. I enjoy the black-and-white predictable nature to this limitation, and the kids like that I am not micromanaging their media; the content is safe and appropriate, and what the time is up, there is no struggle (it’s the library’s rule, after all!).
Click here to check out what was read at last week’s Storytime!
Right across the street from the library is Central Park. Oh! Good lead in, yeah?!
Central Park
Central Park is fun!
With an extra set of clothes ready, no need to stress or fuss about sand and wet grass. Central Park is pretty darn cool. I have vivid Central Park memories from my own childhood… before they redid it (I grieved when they took out the little tunnel bridge play structure) and I was excited when they put in the metal car climbing toy and new swing seats.
One of the best things about Central Park (aside from its, erm, central location) is its ability to provide for all ages. Baby swings and toys for itty bitty bebes… and a network of paved trails for bikes and scooters, trees to climb, big grass fields to imagine (and rest) in, a “jungle” of pretty and durable plants to explore, and The Gazebo!
Location, location, location! This park is about perfect for a picnic and good transition between library and, well, anything else!
Waterfront Park
Waterfront's fountain is a blast in the summer.
I am also very impressed with what the city has done with Waterfront. I remember when it was a park of downtown that was largely avoided, unless you were a teen and your parents thought you were at the library, or you were a homeless dude with a cart, hat on the ground, and dog at your side. “Family friendly” was not a term attributed to the Waterfront area. It is totally different now! Waterfront is awesome! I like how bike friendly it is (skateboard friendly, scooter friendly, stroller friendly, etc etc…). I am a fan of places that can facilitate fun for a range in age and interest, and Waterfront park does pretty well with this.
Making connections with the community and learning about so many things... I love Market!
I like the routine of it… I enjoy bringing my various reusable cloth and fabric bags and supporting local commerce and sustainable life. I learn so much when I talk to people at Market…
I think that we are creating rich and important memories and influence for the children each time we go to the market. Yeah, we have to get up and on the mover pretty early, but it is worth it. Having lunch at the Waterfront, listening the live music, playing in the sun (and rain… it happens) and connecting directly with the community… I really enjoy Saturday Market. Each time I go to Saturday Market I end up talking to our attached mommas and seeing happy kiddos. I feel strongly that being surrounded by this type of supportive community is very important and grounding.
I really enjoy going down town with the kids. I know that this blog is starting to read like a review of everything Corvallis… There is just so much fun things to do! The Book Bin, The Beanery, Dollar Tree (seriously, taking little kids to the Dollar Tree and giving them each a dollar = SO MUCH FUN!), the Co-op…
Close to home (walking distance! Yay!) is…
Village Green Park
I like to lounge in the grass while the kids play.
A straight walk, one crosswalk. I love this park. The kids do, too. We go there impulsively. With even a moment of sun breaking through the clouds, we will walk to the park (umbrella and jackets in hand). There are good climbing trees, structures that are fun for little and big kids, and a trail that is perfect for bikes. Sometimes we will walk along the paths and check out the creek, too. From the Parks and Rec site:
Village Green Park combines both natural and neighborhood amenities. The park features a natural area and small stream. It also has basketball courts, picnic tables and play equipment. There is a covered picnic shelter with barbeque grill allowing families to enjoy lunch while the kids play. Please note the baseball field is not part of the City property.
Jackson-Frazier Wetland
Right up the block from us is the Jackson-Frazier Wetland. I like listening to the crickets and frogs, even during the bright of the day! The Wetland makes for a fun spur-of-the-moment field trip. We have had some interesting conversations (with resulting Google image searches once home!) about nutria, raccoons, frogs, and preservation… and Bog of Eternal Stench.
