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This weeks explore outdoors is not exactly what I had planned – I couldn’t have predicted that in February we would have a mass of Lady Birds/Bugs descend on our garden fence (30+ on 3 panels!) and that J would find them fascinating but where the child’s mind goes the Mummy with a camera and a book follows.
This week has been very warm and sunny and our fence was in the warm sunlight as I was pushing J in the swing I noticed a few lady birds on the fence. When J had had enough of the swing he got out and I pointed at a lady bird and asked him “What is that” – I got that look – you know the one that says Stupid Woman! “FENCE Mummy, it’s a fence” was my reply – well obviously but I was actually pointing out one of the many lady birds on the fence (I didn’t want to tell him what they were I wanted him to connect one of his favourite bedtime books, our nick name for T and the lady birds he had found over the summer).
J trying to work out what I was counting on the fence
The pointing didn’t work – so changing tact I started at one end of the fence and moved along counting the lady birds. I got to 6 before he realised that I wasn’t going completely crazy and there was something there. Suddenly he spotted one and then another on the fence. In the summer when we had masses of lady bugs flying around the garden he tried his best to be gentle but due to being under 2 and not knowing his own strength a few didn’t not survive – this time I have been amazed at how gentle he is with them. He has let one crawl onto his hand and sung to it “Lady bird lady bird fly away home, your house is on fire and all is gone” – his own version of the song.
J appears to have found something!
He spent ages just looking at the ladybirds – we’ve returned to the garden and every time we have to go and look for the lady birds – they are there and he loves counting them and seeing how many spots they have.
J found a lady bird and was fascinated
Our book link this week is What the lady bird heard I hear this read to J every evening by Rainy Day Dad at bedtime – it has to be one of his current favourite stories. There is such a lovely rhythm to the words and the illustrations make J laugh every time. He joins in with the farm animal sounds every time as well.
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Lovely photo of J looking at the ladybirds. Look out for the frogs, slugs and snails. They seem to have suddenly appeared in our garden.
Ohhhh we haven’t seen any of them – but being more East we’ve had a lot less rain.
We LOVE what the ladybird heard too. I must take the girls out to look for some ladybirds. xx
I was really shocked to see them this early – but they are everywhere in the garden -J’s been out looking again today and found some colonies (no idea if that is the right word for a group of lady birds!) hiding in the pampas grass
We don’t get many ladybugs in our garden, but hopefully we spot some soon. I love how you just let J explore on his own terms.
Rebekah @ The Golden Gleam recently posted..A Flower Color Wheel- Color Theme
Love it! Can’t wait for our fist Lady bug discovery of the season! Sping is upon us! I pinned you here http://pinterest.com/lnmontessori/get-kids-moving/ and FB linked you here http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Nolan-Montessori/313194469971
What a fun outdoor adventure! I am so glad spring is on the way.
Didi recently posted..Spring Blossom Magnets
Aren’t lady bugs wonderful! Lovely moment. A few years back my daughter had a lady bug land on her. I told her it was good luck. Since then she’s literally had a lady bug land on her over a dozen times. I’m starting to think that perhaps they are truly good luck
Tricia recently posted..How often do you sit back and identify what really matters?
I don’t know that book, will have to have a look out for it. We have loads of ladybugs in our house all year round, they seem to have a nest in the cracks of the girls’ window. They’ve even somehow managed to join us in our move to the new house – just tonight we found one that was black with red spots. Thanks for linking this up to the Outdoor Play Party!
Mama Pea Pod recently posted..{Exploring Our New Garden: Outdoor Play Party}
You always have such great learning ideas for outdoors. A true inspiration. Please link up to Country Kids again
Coombemill recently posted..Silent Sunday / Project 52
How sweet! Thanks for sharing this with our Spring Carnival. I’ve featured this post too.
http://sunnydaytodaymama.blogspot.com/2012/03/all-year-round-week-two-7-ways-to-get.html
sunnymama recently posted..Ogre poo and other nature walk finds
Love ladybirds – children just love counting their spots.
pinkoddy recently posted..Buzz makes Shadows
Thanks for linknig up to our LOVE BOOKS! We’ve been on our own ladybug searches recently too.
Kim @ The Educators Spin On It recently posted..Kim’s Spin On Around the World in 12 Dishes: United Kingdom
We had an influx of ladybirds last week and it is so strange that the colour should represent danger and yet they are one of the insects that kids are most attracted too! Lovely. Thanks for linking to Family Frolics.
Multiple Mummy recently posted..Wigwam Bam! An alternative Play House Review
We love lady birds here! You have got me thinking about a science post now!
Thanks for linking to Science Sparks Fun Sparks!
science Sparks recently posted..Rotting Apples
We LOVE that book,too.I love the photos.Thanks for linking up to Book Sharing Monday.
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I love ladybugs – and that book sounds darling! Thanks for sharing with Learning Laboratory at Mama Smiles =)
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It’s a great book! Some wonderful pictures too – he’s adorable!
Already chimed in to say how much I loved this activity. Just a reminder to come by The Outdoor Play Party tomorrow to share another outdoor play activity.
I love your new header!!!
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