It doesn't have to be a big outing, some great activity or a long amount of time. Even a few minutes to just walk around your yard and can lead to some amazing memories and great learning opportinities for your little ones.
We bundled up this morning and went outside to play in the enormous amount of snow that we had gotten. Sam tried on her new skiis that she got last year but was too little to use. She was really excited to try them out and actually moved pretty well in them but the snow was so fluffy and deep that it didn't last long. We think we might need to cut some trails with our skiis and then try again.
Sam has learned how to make snow angels at school and so we did that in the back yard as well.
But the big moment from our outdoor time (which lasted all of 30 minutes) was the red tailed hawk that soared right over us barely 50 feet above our heads! Sam and I just stood there watching it circle over us. So, I can't attract a chickadee to save my life but red-tailed hawks are not a problem!
I am sure you are all on pins and needles waiting to hear who the baby legs giveaway winner is....
Thank you random.org! Comment number 22 - Kitie!! You have 24 hours to email me your shipping address, child's gender and child's size so that Baby Legs can send you the grab bag of stuff. Thanks so Baby Leg's and all the people that entered the giveaway!!
Lastly, I wanted to reveal a project that I have been working on for a few weeks. It started because my sister say something like it at an online store and thought we could make it with my dad's help. I LOVED the idea and ran with it. Got some help at the beginning from my dad (the carpenter) but then did most of the actual construction on my own. It isn't perfect and if you look closely you can see a lot of nails holding it together (not the way my dad would have done it) but I think it is awesome!
Introducing...Sam's doll house people TREE HOUSE!
Complete with tree cookie spiral staircase,
twig and twine ladder (sorry for the focus issue),
and tree cookie/twine swing (the twine loops are what will hold the doll house person onto the little tree cookie). Ignore all the extra twine, I just didn't realize I hadn't cut that off yet.
Funny part about this whole thing? Sam doesn't have a doll house or doll house people! HA! But now the people that I am hoping to still find for her have their very own tree house. And the house will come for her birthday in March (maybe I can make that out of tree cookies too!).
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The Nitty Gritty!
Again, I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone that entered the Baby Legs contest; wish everyone could win something.
No way I could give you step by step instructions on how to make this tree house but if you have questions about a specific piece of it just leave a comment and I will respond. Happy to share my secrets!
Now, I didn't want to share the actual tree house that started this whole thing because once you see that you will laugh at my creation but alas I have to give credit where credit is due so go here to check out the original!
I think your treehouse is perfect!
Also, I was thinking of you this morning when it took 20 minutes to get L bundled up to go outside in our snow!
Posted by: gina | 12/12/2010 at 04:32 PM
I'm a single mom of 2 and I find your blog very interesting. I hope I have much time each day to drop by and check your site for recent post.
Posted by: single mom | 12/12/2010 at 05:16 PM
wow that is awesome I love what you made!!! :)
today we brought the outside in and brought in a huge tub of snow it was 23 below zero windchill so no outside time for us.
love making snow angels how fun!
Posted by: welcome to our wonderland | 12/12/2010 at 05:58 PM
We get all kinds of red-tailed hawks in our backyard. That sounds like a great outing.
That is terrific she is already on skis. That treehouse is wonderful. You are really talented! Peace, Angela
Posted by: Angela | 12/13/2010 at 02:15 PM
You could always make the tree people. There are lots of tuts around for using wooden bases and sewing/gluing felt. Try http://weefolkart.com/content/free-patterns-gallery#gg0.
Posted by: Cheryl | 12/14/2010 at 02:38 AM
Gorgeous! She is going to love this! We just made some people out of the round clothes pins and artificial flowers :). I'll see if I can get a tutorial up one of these days!
Posted by: Amy A | 12/14/2010 at 11:44 AM
Just "discovered" you via Mel at Your Wild Child. We're big fans of getting outside every day, too, though we don't have to contend with snow in Los Angeles! Isn't it amazing what wonderful surprises await in your own backyard? A hawk?! Jealous!
Posted by: Debi | 12/14/2010 at 08:21 PM