Five for Fall
Here are five fun mini-activities we've enjoyed recently:
1. PUMPKINS
H points out the pumpkins everywhere we go -- and there are a lot of them to see: in store windows, on stoops, a mini and a big one on our own table. We talk about the color and size. She gets so excited about them.
2. Walks in the Park
We are lucky enough to live near a major New York park. Often we point ourselves directly for the playground and see nothing else, but this weekend we veered off our usual path and romped through vibrant leaves and grassy slopes. The trees are magnificent and the magic of being in the middle of big New York parks is the city falls away and leaves you with that real feeling of quiet and nature that everyone needs a little of every now and again.
3. Cooking Cookies
H loves her own play kitchen and I've started having her help me cook by dumping in measured cups of flour or water (they don't always go directly in the bowl) and helping me stir. This weekend we made raisin and dried cranberry oatmeal cookies together. Yum! She ate a bunch of raisins as they baked and only had a bite or two once they cooled, but the experience of cooking together was great. She loves to smell the cinnamon and vanilla -- and there's something so fall, and so good, about these simple treats.
4. Books Under the Blanket
My sister-in-law crocheted a snuggly purple and white afghan for us a few years back and it's perfect for a stack of books and cuddling while staying warm in the fall chill. Recently we've enjoyed the Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems.
5. Getting Ready for Halloween
H's first year, she was a baby skunk (she was two months old and slept right through the parade). Last year, she was a bumblebee, and this year she'll be a lion. There's a clown coming to her daycare (I'm hoping/assuming this will be fun, not terrifying) and we're planning to attend the parade again. We've observed all the Halloween decorations in our neighborhood (especially the pumpkin! See number 1). I think this is the first year she'll really get it. We've talked about what's going on, that Halloween is coming, that she'll dress up in a costume (and hopefully roar a lot). I think she's going to love it, but we'll have to wait and see.
I do love fall. Don't you?
