As simple as it can be, empty peanut butter container, water, brushes, sand and foil dish=endless possibilities of summer outdoor fun for kids! Today, Eiya and our next door neighbor’s kid, Luis, who is 7 years old,  had a fun fest in front of our house.

I was reading Sew Liberated’s Toddler Arts Experience and learned about the book First Art: Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos.  There are some simple activities from “Primarily Paint” and “Making Marks” sections that required very little materials. I decided to try water painting and drawing in sand.

First, I gave them empty peanut butter jars, brushes and water for the water paint. They started painting on the pavement. Then, Luis brought out all his “vehicles” and used the brush and water to clean them. Eiya helped him out too.

Then, I put some sand in the foil dish for them. They first drew with fingers, grabbing and pouring sand in and out. However, when I brought out more water for refilling. They started adding water to the sand and making sand pie. Eiya started kneading the sand dough with her hands and feet. Moving sand dough from dish to watering can back and forth. More kneading and moving.

After all the fun, we baked the pie under the sun.

Spring, the earth welcomes us with little surprises.

Small hands, endless wonders

May the earth keep glowing.

It has been so blissful to welcome by the cool breeze, sunshine and Spring rain. When it rains I think about my plants and how they would appreciate the rain water. Eiya and I have been spending more time in the backyard exploring. She just turns 10 months and is curious about everything around her. The California poppies are in bloom right now and the sight of Spring is within her fingertips!

Ethan has built a raised bed. We are going to grow vegetables and herbs. This weekend will be sunny & warm, just the right time to harvest our compost to add to the bed.

Happy Earth Day!