5/12 - Felt, Water, and Warm Ground

Today marked the end of the last frost, and we saw many plants flourishing throughout the park. Friends met in the garden under the warm sun to make art together. The invitation was to wet felt wool onto small rocks. We first pulled roving (wool) into small wispy pieces and layered colors over a rock. We dunked the rocks in soapy water and began to scrub our thumbs over the woolen rocks. As we massaged the wool, it created small knots making felt!

Mv chose purple for her wool and Ly chose yellow. Mt and Lu helped dunk the rocks when they were wrapped in wool. F liked the sound the rocks made when they splashed in the water and hit the bottom of the metal bowl. Caregivers and friends worked together, passing rocks around and helping each other at different stages of the project.

When Mv and Mt were done, they joined Hn at the hose, where they worked together to make a big puddle on the path. N eyed the puddle right away. Then he walked over and said "wawa!" as he smiled from ear to ear.

All of our wet clothes and feet dried off in the sun as we made our way to the blanket to read Over in the Meadow by Jane Cabrera, which is one of our favorite songs in book form. We sang together until we were ready for our adventure. Someone suggested that we head to the big hill, so everyone climbed in a wagon and we were off!

At the big hill, Ha was the first one to roll! Mt encouraged his baby dolls to roll, until careening down the hill himself. We found dandelions that were ready to make a wish on and buttercups to place under our friends' chins. Ly asked everyone, "Do you like butter?" and showed them the trick that buttercups will reflect a bright yellow light when held under your chin. Ha and N laid in the grass to look up at the clouds in the bright blue sky. We were all enjoying being together under the sun in the big field.

R was making a collection of sticks, and Hn was reminded of the big stick he had found with his friends in the Sunday class. He led the way onto the wooded path with Mv, R, and H close behind. When they arrived at the branch, they worked together to lift it up as high as they could.

Then they headed down the path singing "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" until we arrived at the long, wavy grass! Mv was on a mission to find the perfect walking stick, and once she found it, we headed back up the path to meet our friends who were splashing over by the fountain.

When we were all together again we headed back to the circle to sing “Love is a Circle” two times before saying goodbye and closing on a beautiful spring day.

Thanks for being part of Brave Nature Collaborative.

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