Sprouts: April 10th
This week, we had a special letter from a new friend who couldn’t wait to join us — Cosmo Macaroon, a garden gnome who loves to be silly and have fun! After last week’s adventure at The Flats, when the river was so high, Cosmo had an idea: we should be river detectives and see what’s left behind now that the water has receded. What a great way to explore!
The weather didn’t exactly cooperate with our plans; it was that tricky spring mix of snow and rain. But, as always, we made the most of it! The mud kitchen was the perfect place to embrace the messy weather. The kids dug, stirred, and built — making their own little mud creations while enjoying the squishy, slippery textures that came with the rain and snow.
After a good play, the Earthkeepers put their teamwork skills to the test and moved the picnic table so we could have a snack together, near the fireplace. The teamwork was fantastic, and it made everything easier (and more fun)!
For our storytime, we read Skink on the Brink, a book about a skink who loses his bright blue tail when a weasel pounces. The Earthkeepers really empathized with Skink and were eager to talk about how animals protect themselves and how some creatures, like skinks, grow back their tails over time.
When we headed down to The Flats, we followed Cosmo’s suggestion to take a closer look at the changes in the river. We were careful to be respectful of the geese, as many are nesting right now, and we even spotted some goose tracks in the sand! The kids really took to heart the idea of respecting the animals in the area.
One group of Earthkeepers spent time searching for clams that had gotten washed up by the river’s high waters. They treated the clams with so much care and kindness, gently placing them back in the water while reassuring them that they would be okay. It was such a beautiful moment of compassion.
Meanwhile, others were on a rock-hunting mission, with our "merboy" deciding that this week he would like his tail decorated.
Back at the playground, the Earthkeepers turned the day’s learning into action with a game of “Skink Tag”! We used a fun twist on tag where each player had a tie on their back — the “weasel” was “it” and had to catch a skink’s tail to turn them into a weasel. They loved this game so much — it was a great way to bring Skink’s adventure to life.
Before we knew it, the day had flown by, and it was nearly home time. Fingers crossed for better weather next time — we’re ready for more sunshine and adventures!
Thanks for a great day Earthkeepers!
