Fall Family Fun: Happy Earth Day!

Owen and I have had so much fun making Earth Day projects, and going on Earth Day "adventures". (that's what he calls it) I try to plan his art activities on holidays in the month or something he is really interested in learning.

Speaking of learning interests, he is really really interested in counting right now. He counted to twelve this morning. He is also interested in the moon. He has toddler Mum Mum cakes that are circular, he always bites them into a crescent shape. He says "Look Mommy, I made crescent moon." Time to look up some hands on counting and moon phase activities! (any ideas would be appreciated!) Okay...back to Earth Day. I always get off subject...

Owen will tell you ALL about the earth if you ask him. Actually, you don't have to ask him...he is going to talk to you about the earth for at least an hour if he gets your attention. I LOVE my talker. He is now only quiet when he sleeps. If he doesn't have something to say he says Mommy, Mommy, Mommy.....(repeat eleventy billion times.) I don't mind though, he has the sweetest voice. :)

This is a typical earth description from Owen...

"God made da earf, and Owen did tooooo"

"Heyyyy Mommy, the earf ocean, ocean SHARKS, Sharks BITE you, get boo boo, need BIG bandaid."

"Mommy, don't frow trash on da ground, NOPE!, frow it in da trash can."

"I make a earf in my window"

"I paint earf"

"My plant some BEANS!"

If only I could include his facial expressions, and how he talks with his hands. He is VERY serious about the "earf".

Owen picked out his outfit for an Earth Day service project with MOMS club. His shoes were two sizes too big, but that didn't matter to him. This baby was ready to work. :) Unfortunately, it got rained out. :(

Painting the earth on a coffee filter with green and blue paint.

We glued the "earf" onto a piece of black paper, and Owen added some stars.

The finished product. (with the crescent moon Mum Mum)

We planted pinto beans in a mason jar with wet cotton balls. I thought I would be able to update you on his bean growth. The beans are taking a little longer to sprout than I hoped they would. I noticed the first bud this morning. Here he is planting his beans, watering them, and putting them in the sunlight.

Has my bean flower grown yet?

We also made an apple tree. The trunk and limbs were made with Owen's hand print and arm print. He painted the leaves by stamping tin foil. Owen painted the apples all by himself, with his sweet little pointer finger. :)

TA-DAH!

We took a trip to the Flora-Bama farmer's market, and talked about how vegetables grow. Owen was very excited because he got to bring his own shopping cart and baby. Mommy loved bringing home milk in a glass jar and boiled peanuts.

"THERE IT IS! I found treasure!"

We made a "stained glass" earth for Owen's window. Owen had fun tearing up the tissue paper, and gluing it onto the wax paper. I helped Owen cut it into a circle, and we hung it on his bedroom window. It is so pretty with the sunshine shining through.

Then Mommy, got a CRAZY idea. I thought I would let Owen play in coffee grounds...you know, soil, compost. This makes a horrendous mess. I usually don't mind messes, but this one was pretty bad. Definitely, an outside sensory activity next time. Owen had a blast though!

Owen and I got to participate in the "Earth Day" festival at Bayview Park. It was so much fun, but they had "different" food choices. Owen and I were planning on having a picnic, and all they had was vegan food. They even had vegan grilled cheese. What kid eats fake cheese? MINE! He ate half of a sandwich, and I watched in disgust.We've recently discovered Owen will eat anything. Sunday he ate half of a lamb chop, and raw bell peppers!

We got to view bees making honey at the Earth Day Festival. Owen thought this was very interesting. The queen bee had a white dot on her back.

Owen tasting a cherry flavored "honey stick".

I was so happy to see a La Leche League table at the festival. I picked up some "Thank you for nursing in public" cards, that I am dying to pass out. Those will be packed in my bag to Disney. ;) ~~I am a nursing mama hear me roar!~~ Owen loved reading the book "Breastmilk Makes my Tummy Yummy". He really didn't want to give it back. Maybe when we get back from Disney we can join the La Leche League of Pensacola, and Owen can check out this book from their library. :)

Owen had fun playing at the park after visiting all of the booths. The park had some high drop offs so I ~~about had about had a nervous breakdown~~ had to keep my hands and eyes on Owen at all times. I did manage to get one picture of him inside the fish's mouth.