Children grow so quickly.  One day, you are changing diapers, chasing toddlers and relaxing during naptime.  In the blink of an eye, homework abounds, the phone is ringing off the wall - and it isn’t for you, and fashion has a whole new meaning. 

We found a way in our family to celebrate life’s more monumental feats…the birth of a child, first steps, first day of school, and even graduation.  We plant a tree.

 We have found that, while gifts, cards, and momentos are wonderful, something as stoic and life-long as a tree carries more meaning.  When each of our boys were born, we planted a tree in their honor.  With our first son, we knew we wouldn’t be in our home permanently, so we found a plot of land at my in-law’s home.  By the time our second son was born, we had moved into our current residence, and his tree is directly out of my bedroom window.  A new tree was also planted, slightly larger, for my older son as well; he was beginning kindergarten that year.  And, with each passing event, a shrub, a rose bush or a tree is added to our landscape.  Walking into our backyard is a journey into our memories.  And, we’re bettering our home and our environment.

Next time you are faced with the issue of finding a way to honor someone in a special way - a child, a parent, a teacher, a friend - consider a tree.  It is a gift for the recipient and to the world.

plant a tree in rememberance of an event - not even on own property - perhaps family property, etc

Thank goodness for fences.  Ours hides an inumerable amount of sins, from weeds to broken toys, a kite stuck in the stick of a tree we planted, and colored chalk on every flat surface.  It is my family’s outdoor haven, and last year, I made it a quest to make it an educational area for my kids as well.

We started small, with pots.  We had recently put in new landscaping, so the pots that the new plants were originally in became the basis for our container garden last year.  My boys put a small amount of dirt in an egg carton and germinated seeds indoors. We were successful with beans, carrots (amazingly enough), squash and canteloupe.  I bought small tomato plants and bell pepper plants for them.

Once the seedlings were large enough, we transferred them over to the pots.  The nice thing about the pots is that we could easily move them to make room for backyard adventures and didn’t run the risk of our little plants being trampled.  Our tomatoes grew and grew, and we ended up with about a dozen cherry tomatoes from them.  There would have been more, but a certain three year old loved to pick the pretty green ones. 

Our bell peppers fared well, too. We discovered that they were much more productive on our porch than in the yard, though.  So, yet another perk to container gardening, we moved our peppers to the porch .  The beans made huge bushes, but our Texas weather became too hot to produce too many beans.

The carrots were not so lucky.  To grow carrots, the gardener must possess an extraordinary amount of patience, something small children simply can’t stand at a young age.  Our carrots were orange and about 2.5 inches when we plucked them from the ground.

Amazingly, our canteloupe was the best-growing plant we had.  In fact, our canteloupe did so well that we started burying the seeds, guts and rinds after eating them.  And MORE canteloupe plants came up!  Canteloupe seem to be quite versatile, grow quickly, and are a fine example of the entire plant process, from seed to fruit and back to seed.

This year, we’ll continue with our planting, and we’ll include some measuring, charting and a little friendly competition between the pots.  Our plants will indeed be in pots again.  If for nothing else, they are great in an obstacle course!

Check out Wonderbrains’ fantastic collection of gardening tools and toys for children!

As the days grow cooler, my kids and I tend to spend more and more time outside.  The outdoors is the perfect learning environment for children.  It is full of things to explore and do that are fun for everyone.  So, when you’re outside this fall, see if any of these ideas strike your fancy!

1.  Take a few books outdoors and spread out on a blanket for some fresh air and a story.  A change in scenery can make a world of difference in drawing a child’s attention to something they might not otherwise do.  Or, create a homemade outdoor journal.  Cut typing paper in half and create a front and back cover using cardboard.  Fasten them all together by punching a couple of holes at the top and tying with string.  As you visit a park or nature area, let the child write about what they see or create a story based on where they are.  It doesn’t have to be with words, either…pictures tell stories, too!

2.  Blow bubbles outside and count them as they float by, or count them as they pop!  With younger children, have them count as high as they can and then start again!  Use various objects for bubble-blowing, from the standard bubble wand to straws to coat hanger rings.  If you have lots of bubble solution (or can make some of your own with 9 cups of water, 1 cup of Dawn dish soap, and 1/2 cup of glycerine…let it sit overnight for best results), fill a trash can lid or other large container with bubble solution and put a hula hoop inside it.  Talk about some big bubbles!

3.  Open a lemonade stand!  Lemonade isn’t just for summertime.  Or, if it is chilly, let your kids run a hot cocoa stand for the neighborhood.  With lemonade, garnish the drinks with slices or spirals of lemon, and for hot cocoa, add a cinnamon stick.  Have the kids keep tabs of their profits and use the money to make a charitable donation or purchase food for the local food bank.

4.  Feed the animals.  Take a bagel and cover it in peanut butter, then dip it in bird seed.  Hang it from a tree for our feathered friends.  Put out stale bread crumbs on the sidewalk, driveway or yard to attract birds to your home and observe them from a window.  How many different birds can you find?  Keep a journal of the different birds that visit your home, then take advantage of your local library or the Internet for more information on these feathered friends.

5.  RUN!  With the cooler weather, it is a great time to play a game of kickball or even tag.  Teach your child how to run a three-legged race or other relays.  Grab some sidewalk chalk, draw a hopscotch and get a game going.  Or, just spend some time doodling.  Either one is a great motor skill workout.

6.  Check into your local calendar for outdoor events, such as festivals, fairs or concerts.  Many communities offer free outdoor events, so check around for those in your area.  It is a great way to get to know your community and let your child explore a piece of their local culture and history.

7.  Plant a fall garden.  If it is getting too late in your area to plant, try container gardening inside.  Squash, beans and even tomatoes make great fall plantings.  Or, if your thumb isn’t quite green, try growing the top of a carrot or a potato by partially submerging them in water.

8.  Plan a picnic.  While the weather is still good, take an afternoon and go enjoy your local park.  Or, if you aren’t close to a park, try your own yard or even your living room floor if the weather doesn’t cooperate.  All you need is a blanket, your food, and a lot of fun!  Let your child help you pack the lunch, keeping in mind nutrition.  A picnic is a fun meal, yet it can be an excellent opportunity to discuss a balanced diet and the importance of the food groups!

As your fall gets underway, try a few of these out.  Perhaps they will spark another idea for you to try.  Be sure to send us your stories of what works for your family!