Thank You Mother Nature!

65 degrees in January in New England is very rare.  In fact, this entire winter is not anywhere like our normal winter.  And while we do miss the snow, we are really loving this mild winter we are having too.  To get to be outside without jackets in January on Saturday just blew our minds!  What a gloriously amazing day Mother Nature blessed us with. And we were happy to take full advantage of it!

First Day of 2012

Yesterday was easily one of the most glorious New Year's Days ever!  We were absolutely over the moon about how amazing it was out, and we took full advantage of the beautiful weather and spent lots of time outdoors.  We dragged the Christmas tree (that still had lots of life left in it) into the backyard to become a home and food source for birds and other woodland creatures who may stop by.  The girls searched and explored and ran and dug and played.  I took a moment to enjoy the peace that comes with New Year's Day.  Have you ever noticed how peaceful the world seems on a Sunday morning?  Well, that is the type of peace that comes on New Year's Day but it usually lasts the entire day instead of just the morning.  The world just feels calmer.  Slower.  A little less hurried.  And it is this vibe that is my most favorite.  It was a treat to get to enjoy this wonderful feeling outside in the lovely sun on January first.  I do believe that it's a sure sign that 2012 is going to be a wonderful year!

Fun With Friends

Is there anything more wonderful than spending a day outside with dear friends?  Yeah, I didn't think so either! 

A Nature Table Kind Of Day

As you may know, one of the things that we have adopted from the Waldof philosophy of education is the creation of a seasonal nature table.  With how much we love nature, being outdoors and the seasons it made sense that we would choose to incorporate one into the rhythm of our home.  The girls love adding things that they find outside to our nature table, and I imagine that when things are finally in bloom there will be many new additions each day!  Our day today was full of nature.  Not just the type that you can place on our nature table, but also the type that you experience, or revel in.  The kind whose memories you take with you and keep with you for years to come.

Our day began with a visit to our friend Annie and her precious chicks.

After we got home and had some lunch and quiet time we headed outside for some much needed fresh air. 

"Look, Emma! Mushrooms for our fairy house!"

Who knew we had pussywillow?! 

While Grace began to collect things for the first fairy house of the season,

Emma decided to dive into a good book!

Presenting: The first fairy house of the season!

We were so grateful to be able to spend a good chunk of the afternoon outdoors, and for the chance to spend some time visiting with our friends and their precious two week old chicks!  We were super excited to see that things are budding!  Thank you, Mother Nature, for waking up your children!  We have anxiously been awaiting their arrival!