Fall 2016! First week at outdoor preschool!

Froglets and Tadpoles spent this week meeting new friends, exploring our classroom (the woods), and discovering new strengths. 

Froglets creating their climbing frog craft. Tadpoles, we will do this next week! 

Popular area of study included decomposing stumps and logs as well as Western White Pine cones. 

Testing our abilities was also a focus. 

Thank you for a wonderful first week in the woods!!

Hibernation

There are so many hidey holes in Hamlin! We talked about animals that hibernate in the winter, where they might spend that time, and how they prepared. 

And of course we played in the mud. Because, mud. 

My little tree hugger!

Our resident worm wrangler. 

Precipation!!

What a week to talk about rain!! 

The worms were out on Tuesday. This one hitched a ride for our hike. 

Work continued at the tiger trap. No sightings yet. We did spend time making improvements. 

   

Wednesday we found three owl boxes. 

On the way back friends were made. 

Thursday, infamous Thursday. Brave parents and gung ho kiddos blazed through the downpour. Puddle stomping became the number one thing to do. 

After snack we floated leaf boats down the stream. 

Winter Weather 2016

Our first week of winter session was hugely fun!! Classes are nearly full and I'm so excited to get to know so many new faces 😊. 

Fungus was everywhere and I think we will continue to watch it grow as the weeks wear on. 

The rain provided us with lovely puddles in which to test our boots and rain pants.

A decomposing log has much to observe. Fungus, algae, holes, and possibly critters lurking beneath. 

I'm telling you, these logs are interesting!

Week Full of Gratitude

Fall is over. Our last day in the woods and each class found a way to make is special. 

Spooking teacher Erin from behind trees or giving her a great photo op?

Right before gleefully tackling some bush whacking. 

Friends hand in hand. These four really look out for each other. 

Needing to touch ever page in a book is just another way of connecting withy the story. 

Keeping each other warm. 

Delight is small things will take you far. 

I can't wait to see you all in the winter!!

Boeing Creek Madness!!

Boeing Creek Madness!!!

Tuesday morning we found mud, but everyone else had to be content with dirt.

Exploring the marsh.

Mud!!

 and flowers, 

and GIANT Big Leaf Maple leaves.

Teamwork, always.

Sandy creek is tempting

The king atop his throne :D

Bats

Bats at Froggy Holler!!

This week we learned about the only flying mammal. Oh sure there are gliders. And loads of animals fly. But to be both. There is a special thing. 

And we picked clean the last of the huckleberries. Could not believe we found a bush still laden with berries. What luck!!

Fishing in the creek yielded some nice catches.

And of course the fungi are in full force. 

I'm pretty sure this was the last week those yellow rain pants were intact... 

Our very own burrows. Here a couple of young wolves snuggle in the cool weather.

A stump with many tiny mushrooms makes the imagination run wild.