The Life Cycle of a Butterfly

Once a teacher always a teacher?

Not sure what possessed me, whether it’s because I won’t let her have a dog or she doesn’t have any siblings, but at Christmas I bought her a Live Butterfly Garden.  In the box, you get the net, all the instructions plus a certificate to order your baby caterpillars when you’re ready.

They arrived a couple of days after we ordered them.  They come in a small pot with everything they need for the first couple of weeks.Live Butterfly Garden

We were amazed how quickly they grew.  They then make their way to the top of the pot, hang upside down and weave themselves into a cocoon.

Preparing to become Chrysallis

Once they all turn into cocoons, you transfer them to the net.

Chrysallis

Then a week to two weeks later, they turn black and will most likely emerge that day.

We came home last night to find four Painted Butterflies.  Can you see all of them?

Painted Butterflies

Sadly, we can’t keep them forever so we released them tonight, but no tears just a lot of excitement and she learned loads.  However, it did take them a lot of persuasion to come out.

Releasing our butterflies

Releasing Butterflies

Releasing Butterflies

Unfortunately, just after they emerged, one got stuck on its back to the bottom of the net, in the red liquid (Meconium) that they eject after they leave the chrysalis.  I tried to rescue it but think one of its wings may have been damaged.

But on the positive side, there seems to be a baby caterpillar left behind so we can do it all again!

Next year we may try stick insects or an ant farm.

 

Things to do outdoors no matter what the weather!

I’m always desperate to get Madame to play outside in the garden more.  However, are garden is the size of a postage stamp and really not that appealing.

The other night I was cooking dinner and to amuse her, while I was busy, I passed her this book with a few post it notes and asked her to mark the activities she liked.

Activities for kids in the rain

 

The next time I turned around she’d put her coat on, was in the garden and had made this…

Art from Nature

 

And then was doing this….

Playing in the Rain

Fabulous!  As you can tell I absolutely love this book, it has loads of things to do outdoors in the rain, wind and snow from Mud Castles to Puddle Reflections to Rain Painting!

You can find it here on Amazon.

 

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book for review purposes.

Little Girl Who Lost her Name

Personalised Children's BooksI was really hoping to write this post last week, as it was National Book Day but time got away on me and we read the most delightful book, the Little Girl Who Lost her Name by David Cadji Newby.

It all starts with a little girl who wakes up in the morning to find that her name has gone AWOL and this is where the adventure begins.  She goes on a mission to find the letters of her missing name, each letter has a fantastic character and illustration including a Miserable Mermaid and an Ant Eating Aardvark plus a few more.

I don’t want to spoil the ending for you, but my daughter worked out halfway through the book that it was in fact spelling her own name.  The look of surprise and excited was brilliant.

The books were officially launched last week and can be personalised for Boys and Girls.  I honestly think they would make a brilliant present (£16.99).

 Disclosure:  I received a copy for review purposes

 

Bud & Roo’s Spectacular Adventures – The Beach by Jessica Valentine

Fostering a love of reading

I do love a book that inspires a bit of Art.  Bud & Roo’s Spectacular Adventure is about two doggies who dig up treasures and sniff their way to where it has come from.  The Author, Jessica Valentine wanted to create a book that her 5 year old could read on her own from front to back and feel good about reading a whole book on her own and she’s done just that.  Madame who is also 5 and has just started reading can read it from front to back and was also inspired to do this picture based on the Artwork.  Isn’t it brilliant?

 

Reading with Kids

 

Kill me now!

Just the other night, I was having a right moan about how painfully dull, the reading scheme books are from school and quite a few parents came back in agreement.  I particularly felt for those parents with several children and have been subjected to the same books year after year after year.

So, who’s up for the challenge?

This is not a reflection on our school, this tends to be across the board.  I do appreciate they’re a necessary evil and her readings coming along nicely, but someone somewhere must be able to write a better scheme than what’s on offer.  I wonder if Jessica’s up for the challenge?

Luckily, we have a huge collection of books at home to supplement what comes home and still manage to foster a love of reading.  Again, I must emphasize, this is not a dig at our school.

I’m looking forward to seeing what Bud & Roo get up to next.

Do you have any other books that you’d recommend for this age group?

Disclosure:  We received a copy of this book for review purposes.

 

 

Highlight of Half-term: Forest School

And breathe!  We’ve just come to the end of a very busy half-term.  For once, I was organised and booked a few activities in for Madame.  She’s been to the local farm, play dates with friends, Play in the Parks Scheme, Spooky Animal Magic and Trick or Treating.  We almost need a break from our break.

However, the highlight for her by far was Forest School in St Albans.  I don’t know if it’s the Canadian in me but when I saw it advertised at school, I knew she had to go as I’m always on a quest to get her outside more.  It was held in a small Wood on the school property and runs rain or shine, so pop some wellies on and wrap up warm.

She came home beside herself with excitement.  They climbed trees, dug trenches for daffodils, carved wood medals using a peeler, made toast on the fire, drank hot chocolate and played on a make shift swing.  She also mentioned a Fire band for her hair but I’d rather not think about that one.

My only regret was not signing her up for the full 3 days, but we will definitely next time.

Disclosure:  Madame’s stylish Hunter Wellies were courtesy of Simply Hike