The sun sinks low, the skies turn gold.
The air is warm, the nights feel bold.
The fireflies dance, the stars appear.
And August's magic shimmers near.
The air is warm, the nights feel bold.
The fireflies dance, the stars appear.
And August's magic shimmers near.
August has been full of sunshine, little discoveries, and the sweet beginning of a new year together. We’ve been easing gently into our rhythm—welcoming new friends, growing friendships, and finding our way back into the familiar magic of our days at Children’s Garden.
With warm breezes, muddy hands, garden treasures, and plenty of time to wander and wonder, we’ve been savoring these last golden days of Summer.
Here are a few little glimpses of the beauty and joy we’ve been sharing together.
Slowly Summer turns her flaxen head of gold. She wears a bright cape of spun sun and wildflowers. This week, we meet the color YELLOW! Gentle brushstrokes of watercolors brighten our papers.
After yellow, came Blue. Blue can soothe an overstimulated child. By inviting the child to experience the quiet, protective qualities of blue, this story encourages deep breathing, calmness, and a gentle return to their center.
"Once, beyond the highest mountaintop, there was a quiet, faraway kingdom made entirely of soft, gentle air. This was the home of Deep Blue. Deep Blue did not rush; Deep Blue did not shout. Deep Blue was as calm as the evening sky when the sun goes to sleep, and as comforting as a mother’s warm embrace. One evening, a tiny, bright star looked down from the heavens and said, 'I have been twinkling and dancing all day long, and now I feel so very tired.' The little star fluttered down from the sky and searched for a soft place to rest. Deep Blue opened up a wide, velvety blanket and whispered, 'Come, little star, rest your head upon my soft water and close your eyes. Here, you are completely safe. There is nothing to do and nowhere to hurry. You can just... be
The little star nestled deep into the blue blanket, letting out a long, quiet sigh. The waters gently cradled the star, washing away all its worries. And as the star slept, Deep Blue sang a slow, quiet lullaby, keeping watch all through the night.”
"Once, beyond the highest mountaintop, there was a quiet, faraway kingdom made entirely of soft, gentle air. This was the home of Deep Blue. Deep Blue did not rush; Deep Blue did not shout. Deep Blue was as calm as the evening sky when the sun goes to sleep, and as comforting as a mother’s warm embrace. One evening, a tiny, bright star looked down from the heavens and said, 'I have been twinkling and dancing all day long, and now I feel so very tired.' The little star fluttered down from the sky and searched for a soft place to rest. Deep Blue opened up a wide, velvety blanket and whispered, 'Come, little star, rest your head upon my soft water and close your eyes. Here, you are completely safe. There is nothing to do and nowhere to hurry. You can just... be
The little star nestled deep into the blue blanket, letting out a long, quiet sigh. The waters gently cradled the star, washing away all its worries. And as the star slept, Deep Blue sang a slow, quiet lullaby, keeping watch all through the night.”
Chigirie Blue Sky and Yellow Sun
Our beautiful paper mosaic has been developing as we add a color per week.
Tearing up this paper has really been strengthening our hands and fingers!
Tearing up this paper has really been strengthening our hands and fingers!
Sun Printing
We did cyanotype sun printing by placing found nature objects like leaves and feathers onto our fabric and letting it cure in the sun.
It was fascinating to see the colors change from blue to light grey, then back to blue!
It was fascinating to see the colors change from blue to light grey, then back to blue!
 |  |
Heart Family
Every year we make a display of our school heart family for our classroom.
This week we got it started (and incorporated plenty of blue) by painting the background and starting to make a heart for every person at school.
This week we got it started (and incorporated plenty of blue) by painting the background and starting to make a heart for every person at school.
Circle Time
Circling together is such an important part of our daily rhythm!
We have loved playing "getting to know you" games this month and welcoming all of our new friends.
We have loved playing "getting to know you" games this month and welcoming all of our new friends.
Blessing our meals
We call in the fire spirits to light our meal-time candle before blessing our food and sharing love and gratitude.
Taking turns "lighting" the candle is so fun and brings some ceremony to the start of our meals.
Stone Soup Tuesdays
Our garden has been overflowing with delicious vegetables and fragrant herbs, which we’ve been gathering up along with the veggies kids bring to make our special Stone Soup together!
Stone Soup Story
Once upon a time, a little traveler came to a small village. The traveler was hungry and tired, but no one in the village had enough food to share.
The traveler smiled and said, “I know! We can make Stone Soup.”
The villagers were curious. “Soup from a stone?”
“Yes!” said the traveler. “All we need is a big pot, some water, and a stone.”
So they filled a pot with water, added a smooth stone, and began to stir.
One child said, “I have a carrot!”
Another said, “I have a tomato!”
Someone else brought an onion, and another brought some fresh herbs from the garden.
Everyone added a little something.
Soon the pot was bubbling with a delicious soup. The villagers sat together, shared their meal, and laughed and talked.
They discovered that when everyone brings a little, there is enough for everyone.
And on that day, the village felt a little more peaceful, a little more connected, and a lot more like a family.
Once upon a time, a little traveler came to a small village. The traveler was hungry and tired, but no one in the village had enough food to share.
The traveler smiled and said, “I know! We can make Stone Soup.”
The villagers were curious. “Soup from a stone?”
“Yes!” said the traveler. “All we need is a big pot, some water, and a stone.”
So they filled a pot with water, added a smooth stone, and began to stir.
One child said, “I have a carrot!”
Another said, “I have a tomato!”
Someone else brought an onion, and another brought some fresh herbs from the garden.
Everyone added a little something.
Soon the pot was bubbling with a delicious soup. The villagers sat together, shared their meal, and laughed and talked.
They discovered that when everyone brings a little, there is enough for everyone.
And on that day, the village felt a little more peaceful, a little more connected, and a lot more like a family.
After our meal, everyone works together to wash the dishes and tidy up. Many hands made the work easy—and even a little fun!
Fruity Fridays!
Every Friday, the children bring a favorite fruit from home and we create something delicious together! Lately, we’ve been especially loving our colorful, fresh smoothies.
Sushi Friday!
Every Friday, we also make veggie sushi together! Rolling, spreading, chopping, and arranging our colorful ingredients gives little hands a wonderful opportunity to practice fine motor skills.
We’ve also found that when children help grow, harvest, and prepare their own food, they are much more excited to taste and enjoy those delicious veggies!
We’ve also found that when children help grow, harvest, and prepare their own food, they are much more excited to taste and enjoy those delicious veggies!
Washing dishes is fun!
Free Play
"Play is really the work of childhood"
~Fred Rogers
~Fred Rogers
Tending to chickens and bunnies
We love to practice our pouring skills while watering the bunnies!
Chime Listening Game
We quiet our bodies and listen verryyy closely to notice...
How long can we hear the ringing after the chime is struck?
Can you still hear it sing?
How long can we hear the ringing after the chime is struck?
Can you still hear it sing?
“I can still hear it!”
Storytime
We love listening to Bluma’s magical stories in the embrace of Grandmother Maple!
Birthday Brownies!
Ingredients:
- ½ cup coconut melted
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¾ cup coconut sugar
- 3 large eggs for cakier or 2 eggs for fudgier
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup Coconut Flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan with coconut oil. Line with parchment paper (or baking paper); set aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, cocoa powder and sugar for about a minute.
- Add the eggs and extract using a wooden spoon or spatula.
- Add in flour and salt and mix into the wet ingredients until combined.
- Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the top out evenly.
- Sprinkle chopped walnuts on top, or other add-ins if you wish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the center of the brownies in the pan no longer jiggles and is just set to the touch.
- If testing with a toothpick, the toothpick should come out dirty for fudge-textured brownies. Remove and allow to cool to room temperature.
- Makes 9-16 brownies depending how you big you cut them.
Happy Birthday Teacher Kisni! We love you!
Sweet Friends!
See you next time!
RSS Feed