A Nighttime Nature Ride = Simple FAMILY FUN

     I was recently surprised by the local nightlife here in the outskirts of small town PA.

     I have two boys.  Ronnie-16.  Preston-4. Like most families, we're often on the lookout for things we can do together that everyone will enjoy.  Last night was no exception. 
     When our evening plans to visit with family were cancelled, the scent of disappointment wafted through the car like and old Sippy cup full of sour milk.  In an attempt to save the evening and do something fun as a family, we decided to take a scenic ride through the countryside.
     With Ronnie’s new spotlight in tow, we headed out to the back roads of Central PA. Our only goals: to enjoy the scenery and spot a few deer. 
     As it turned out, we found there is a lot that goes on when the sun goes down.  From bats and skunks to deer and possum...there is a real busyness in the woods at night.  I mean, I knew there were nocturnal animals, but, I never expected to see so many in one evening. 
     The first little guy we came across was a very arrogant possum.  He sat in the middle of the road nibbling away on his bedtime snack.  Instead of being scared away by our headlights, his stare seemed to say, “Do you mind?”  We imagined various ways of interacting with this guy.  
     We also saw many deer (13 in total), and many zipping-zapping bats—nothing too impressive at first.  But, then, we saw a mischievous coyote and a very sneaky red fox tiptoeing along the side of the road.  Where were they going?  Perhaps, to grandmother's house to join the BIG BAD WOLF or maybe they were headed to "Bloomingdale's to buy a hat that would turn out to be a mistake." 
     As we were heading home, the last and most exciting creature we spotted was a large owl.  His wide wings caught my attention.  We watched as he spread his wings and with silent flight, he pushed his talons forward, lowering them like landing gear, to snatch something out of the air.  He left out a loud screech and flew to the top of a tree where we saw his head shift from side to side nearly making a complete circle.  We were in awe!
      Who would have thought there was such nightlife here in PA?  On the way home, we decided that our simple ride had provided a lot of entertainment. We also decided, we will do it again.  It might be fun to keep a journal of all the creatures we spot along the way.  
       So if your looking for some simple and relaxing family fun, head out on a nighttime nature ride.  Don't forget your spotlight!

Summer Fun

What's on your to-do list this summer?

The warmth of the sun, the sounds of the birds and the bees, and the smell of a cook-out nearby all spell summer.  

As we get ready to flip our calendars and head towards JULY, we think about all of the things we want to do during this special season.  Like many, we've been busy crossing things off our summer to-do list, but there is still more we want to squeeze in.

•  1. Ride a bike
•  2. Catch lightening bugs in a jar
•  3. Eat an ice-cream cone (or two or three)...  Yum!
•  4. Plant something with the kids...herbs, delicious smelling lavender ( to keep the bugs away), tomatoes (to top off our salads)
•  5. Pick strawberries
•  6. Pick blueberries
•  7. Go camping
•  8. Go for a walk in the rain
•  9. Catch a butterfly
• 10. Have a picnic 
• 11. Go fishing
• 12. Paint rocks
• 13. Go swimming
• 14. Watch the sun rise and set
• 15. Read a few good books
• 16. Draw
• 17. Keep a summer-fun journal or scrapbook of your family-fun adventures
• 18. Watch a baseball game
• 19. Dance outside in the grass
• 20. Start a seashell or rock collection
• 21.  Make lemonade
• 22.  Set up a lemonade stand

From building a bat house and catching butterflies, to heading to the beach and playing in the sand....There are so many fun Things to do this Summer!  (Click on the link to the left to see and down-load a free copy of our summer to-do list!  




















For more Summer Living ideas, check out Martha Stewart's site.  She has a variety of terrific summer-time craft ideas, photos and recipes (including many varieties of thirst quenching lemonade).
 

Martha Stewart's travel and activity ideas
 

    Colors of Spring 

       CD Promotion

 

Spring Inspires Imagination! 

 

Capture the colors and sounds of spring with this special offer... For every children's CD you order during the month of April, receive a box of scented markers FREE!  

To take advantage of this special offer.  Visit our shop online: www.toucheedi.com.

                                                      
Offer expires April 30, 2013.
 

Add Music to your Bat Unit

Brown Bat

Stir up some excitement by adding a bit of music to your bat lessons!

Below is the lyrics to our song, "The Little Brown Bat".  The song is a great way to kick-start a unit on the only nocturnal mammal, and it can also be used as a way for students to learn lots of interesting "batty facts"--like how important bats are to our environment!

To get started:

• Provide students with a graphic organizer or a blank piece of paper.  
• Have them write 3-5 facts they hear in the song... (such as: 1. Bats are the only flying mammal.  2. Bats are nocturnal.  3. Bats navigate with echolocation. 4.  The Little Brown Bat is one type of bat. 5. Bats are good for the environment.)  
• Have students include a drawing with their facts.
• Encourage students to label their bat drawings.  

Lyrics:

The Little Brown Bat:

Way back up in the woods

Where the sun never goes

Lives the only flying mammal that we all know

He sleeps all day

Leads a nocturnal life

And uses echolocation

Instead of his sight

Then he goes “eeeeeeeeeeee”

Another bug done gone

Chorus:

This little brown bat is one you’ve probably seen

Over a thousand different species from here to the Caribbean

They’re expert fliers

The acrobats of the sky

Their ecological efficiency is one you can’t deny

Now wait a minute children, there’s a reputation to correct

Bats aren’t mean and evil and they deserve a little respect

They eat the mosquitoes, the gnats and pesky flies

There’s much more to a bat than really meets the eye

Yeah, in their roosts

Is where they like to hang

It’s been the same old story since the bats began

Repeat Chorus and second verse

Be sure to check out our website: www.toucheedi.com for free Bat Printables and Activity Ideas.

There is a TREE

Children shouting "Boo" at the end of There is a Tree song.  The kids & their parents had a blast!

With fall just around the corner and a beautiful tree outside the window, we are thinking about one of our favorite movement songs for kids.  Click here to download a printable PDF. 


Song Activity Ideas for the CLASSROOM:  
Interactive Writing, Morning Movement Gross Motor Skill Development--Touche' Yoga, Reading, Literacy Center: Have students copy the song lyrics, illustrate & read aloud to a partner

 

There is a Tree 

Taken from Spiders, Bats, and Wolves...Oh my! 

(Children Standing)

There is a tree

At the bottom of my yard

It has big branches

That look like arms

(Children: Stretch out Arms)

(Children: Wiggle Stretched out Arms)

It has big bushy leaves,

(Children: bring arms up over your head and into a circle)

and stands real tall.

(Children: Stand on tip toes)

When it gets cold,

the leaves start to fall.

(Children: Flutter hands down—all the way to the floor)

Sing Softer

There is a squirrel

That lives in the tree

(Children: Put arms in an animal position and start to stand)

I always see him spying on me

(Children: Put hand above eye and look around)

So I fill my hand with a pile of food

(Children: Put hand out)

And when he gets close

(Whisper) I shout

(Yell) “BOO”

The Perfect Pumpkin Pie

Editorial Review:

 "Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkin Pie! I must have one before I die. It must be round and brown as toast, or I'll haunt this house a hungry ghost"... are the words i look forward to chanting each Halloween.  Who do I read this wonderfully spooky picture book to?  Everyone!   From mid-September to the end of October,  I could be caught carrying, "The Perfect Pumpkin Pie" with me just about anywhere.

Written and illustrated by Denys Cazet, The Perfect Pumpkin Pie" is the "perfect" Halloween read- aloud for children (and adults) of all ages.  With laugh-out-loud funny illustrations such as the one on the cover showing an extremely picky and ever so grouchy Mr.  Wilkerson, the words in the story have a contagious and irresistible way of flowing off the tongue.  Those that listen will have no choice but to chant along!     

A Pizza Party...Pirate Style

    Thus far, our blog posts seem to range from educational topics to family fun  as we find our way in the wonderful world of blogging.  This post is about throwing together a few ideas to create a memorable children's party.  I wasn't planning on blogging about it, but I thought it might serve as a bit of inspiration for busy parents.
    My son, Preston's third birthday was nearly two weeks away.  I hadn't planned a thing!  Was it too late?  During a quick shopping trip to Target, an adorable birthday party invitation caught my eye.  The cover showed an image of a pirate boy.  Hmm... I thought for a moment, and plopped a few packs into my cart.  Preston likes pirates.  Can I turn "PIRATES" into his theme?  What will we eat?  Where will it be?  All sorts of questions went through my mind, and then, the answers all came together to form a plan.

    I was able to rent a room at a local pizza shop.  They would provide the pizza.  All I needed were some decorations, drinks, cake and ice-cream.  I was almost there!  I began to think like a pirate--a "pizza-eating" pirate!
    First, the cake:  I took the invitation to a local bakery for inspiration and this is what they came up with:     

     

I thought it was cute...especially for being so last minute.  The drinks were easy: some bottled water and soda placed in an icy treasure chest for easy access.  The decorations...coins, beads (the loot and treasure), lots and lots of red and blue balloons, and some red, blue, and map covered table cloths.

    Then, the goody bags:  I wanted to use them as sort of a decoration, so I made the pirate boy from the invitation and stapled a friendly little face to each of the bags.  I also tied a balloon to each of the bags.  They turned out pretty cute!  You can see them in the background of the photo above.  Next, I had to come up with a hands-on activity for the kids and some giveaways (of course).  I decided to turn the kids into little pirates by giving them an eye patch and a bandana.  I also armed them with swords.  For the activity, I had the kids create their own thumbprint ocean designs.  All we needed was ink-pads, some markers and some tiny fingers.  Thumbprint octopuses....little orange fish...it's amazing what a kid will come up with!  They loved the activity, and it was a nice keepsake for the moms and dads.

That's Preston the Pizza Eating Pirate on the right!

 















    Since I sent out the invitations last minute, they served more as a reminder.  I made phone calls and used FaceBook to get the word out!  Everything turned out great...except, we were so busy visiting and making fingerprint pictures that we didn't have time to get any super good photos.
    The kids are still talking about the party and from what I hear, they're looking forward to the next one.  I better get planning!!  In the mean time, my little pirate is causing me to "Shiver Me Timbers" as I try to type this post.  I'm about to make him "Walk the Plank!"