Day 90: acorn painting...nope

My plan was to find some acorns and do an activity that I have seen around blog world. We live in a pretty new subdivision so I didn't think there would be mature enough oak trees to be producing acorns.  So I wanted to go where I knew I had seen good, big acorns; the dog park.   We packed up and took a trip back to the dog park.  Packed up the girls, the backpack to carry Avery in, the dog and water for everyone. Seemed like a fun outing, some good hunting for acorns and exercise for everyone.

However, we did not find even one acorn!  Seriously, not one.  Huge oak trees and not one acorn.  How does that happen?  Sam was pretty upset. 

Obviously with no acorns that meant acorn painting was out the window. 

So our greening activity for the day?  A great walk around the dog park, some playing in the lake at the park (throwing rocks and sticks), meeting other dogs, and hunting for acorns that weren't there.

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The Nitty Gritty!

Could I have come up with a different activity to do today? Yes.  I even had a back-up plan of using rocks.  I was going to take a cookie sheet with big pieces of paper on it and make some small spots of paint on the paper.  Then using the acorns (or rocks) I was going to have Sam tilt the tray back and forth to roll the acorns (or rocks) through the paint.  The paper would get cool patterns on it and the acorns would get painted too.  But we didn't do that. 

It was a rough day.  Not much sleep last night, tired cranky kids and a tired cranky mom. For some reason I just couldn't snap myself out of the tired and cranky funk today. After the failure to find acorns, a disgusting dog that I had to deal with when we got home and a need for an early bedtime,  I just didn't have the energy to fit in the craft. 

Do I think that I failed today?  In some aspects, yes.  I should have just sucked it up and squeezed it in.  But at the same time while hunting for acorns we talked about why there weren't any there.  What animals might have eaten them or where they might have gone. 

Hope you all aren't too disappointed. Come back tomorrow.  I promise to get back on the ball and out of my funk tomorrow!

Comments

[Tami S]

But it's your birthday...so put the kids to bed and have a beer! :) Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

[Cheryl]

If it is any consolation, I've not seen/heard of acorn painting and you have now inspired me to do it with my three. Love the idea that the acorn will be painted as well. We have an oak tree in the garden, so I have pots of them in the house. Wish I could wish some over to you.

[Angela]

I wish I could send you some of mine. We have acorns everywhere-underfoot. I go barefoot a lot and those suckers hurt.
But, you tried; don't worry. Take as much time for your funk as you need. You know funky feelings are all a part of life too! Give yourself permission to be cranky. Believe me you haven't failed!! Thanks for sharing with us! Be well, Angela

[Janet]

I think the trip to the dog park is a big win. No failure at all. What's more natural than dogs? lol

[rae]

i'd be happy to send you some acorns! would you like some? i don't know what we'd do without those treasures, honestly. they are a part of our daily play year round!