Wednesday 17 March 2010

Water play.

Another lovely morning with hazy sunshine and a hint of warmth.  The children tend to squabble a lot indoors, so being able to encourage them out of doors is wonderful.  Rye is now asking to play in the garden virtually upon waking, which means C can either potter in the lounge playing with toys without Rye's interference or practise getting up and down the step to the backgarden.

After a rather scrumptious snack of plain popcorn, banana and chocolate chip muffins, we all piled back out into the garden with a bowl of warm water with bubbles added, smaller bowls and the toy beater.  C wasn't that sure about the wisdom of getting wet and preferred to watch and Rye, well he dived right in;
And then after a change of clothes, minus trousers, back out in the garden to play with the truck
I love this sort of play, being outside seems to encouage the children to play much more cooperatively.  Rye at one point was helping C climb up and down the step from the kitchen to the garden and then later they played ball together.  All the while, I could sit in one of the garden chairs in the sun, soaking up the rays and reading my copy of The Mother that dropped on the mat late morning.  The synchroncity of the universe striking me once again when I opened the pages and discovered an article by Richard House on the ethos of "earlier the better" in terms of Early Years education, and new wonderful research demonstrating there is NO benefit whatsoever to early years education and indeed can be damaging to a child's learning potential.  Very timely when I am currently researching waldorf education philosophy and very much consider myself to be of the "unschooling" ethos.  Very much feels like the universe is letting me know I'm on the right track.

And you know, the universe does like to send us a riddle from time to time - so, anyone know what the heck these vegetables are that I received in my veg box on Monday?

14 comments:

Earthmummy07 said...

I want to say wonky potatoes but I think people might laugh at me... ;)

Joxy34 said...

LOL, I don't think they are; they smell very earthy; but as there were apple fir potatoes in the box I don't think these are tatties too.

Rachel said...

That my dear is a gerusalem artichoke and they are well known to make most people fart a lot LOL!

I think our lads might get alonmg at the moment - they sound so similar! That is if they can mamage not to fight over everything!

Lookign forward to meeting you soon!

Dawn said...

Jerusalem artichokes

Joxy34 said...

I did wonder, but I wsn't sure, I thought there were suppose to be lots of outer leaves that's suppose to strip away, or maybe I'm thinking of something else.

Ok - so now i shall go and look how the 'eck I cook em. lol.

Hehehehe, I think Rye will adore having another lad of his age to run around with.. mind, he's abit of a ladies man too and has a knack with the older girls ;-)

Dawn said...

You're confusing them with globe artichokes that you peel.
JA - roast nicely, grated in salad raw is nice and they work lovely stir fried.
As Rachel says they are affectionately known as "Jerusalem fartichokes" ;-)

Joxy34 said...

hmmm, perhaps I'll wait to trying them till tomorrow then as I have toddler group and HE group tomorrow ;-) Im all day on Friday for deliveries so if we are windy it won't matter too much ;-)

Thanks folks :-)

Luschka said...

You should read Sue Palmer's book, Toxic Childhood. She talks quite a bit about the dangers of starting school too early. It's very interesting.

Love the new theme, by the way

Anonymous said...

I don't have a comment about artichokes but just wanted to say how lovely your post was today and how I can echo wanting to be outdoors when the sun is shining. Really feel like I want to make the most of this weather, especially as I think it's about to change...
KathrynH

Unknown said...

also gorgeous made into a soup xxxx

Gina said...

Yes, they make delicious soup, or roasted (with skins on)alongside potatoes. They may look a bit wonky but they are so tasty!

Love Gina x

C said...

Lol i thought lumpy potatoes to :) well you learn something new everyday...... Ive left a little 'sunshine' for you on my blog x

Michel said...

I've got an award for you over at http://pumpkinsandtoadstools.blogspot.com/2010/03/blogtastic.html.
Don't forget to come and accept it :)
Blessings x

Liz said...

I know what you mean about being outside, my 2 go slightly stir crazy if we don't get out as soon as possible!