When we were in Slidell we were at MrZ’s Grandfather’s house most of the visit. He’s in the hospital (hence the trip) and the family was congregating at his house. This turned out to be better than I expected as I was concerned about there not being any toys to play with. Turns out? Poppy’s backyard was the best playground a kid could ask for. Because it was grassy, there was no dog poop (like there is at our house) and there were all sorts of treasures on the ground.
See…NikkiZ started out the day with a certain tunnel vision. She rubbed her uncle’s face early that morning, feeling his scruff, and said, “Do you know what that is? That’s a TEXTURE.” They’ve been talking about textures at school and exploring the building and the playgrounds for different textures. Once NikkiZ saw the plethora of different textures in Poppy’s backyard? She was hooked. She spent the day collecting pine cones, Magnolia seed pods and these things:
Poppy told me what these were and I’ve already forgotten. I’m smart.
She collected everything that had any sort of texture, put it all in a baggy and is all set to take it to school on Monday to show her teacher. That’s what makes the money we spend on preschool worth it. I just don’t have the skill set to make NikkiZ so excited about something (TEXTURES!) that she wants to explore her world. There’s a reason why some people are teachers and some are [insert random occupation here] – because it requires talent and skills most of us don’t possess.
Now…if she wants to get excited about Vampires and Werewolves? I’m totally her girl.
Sweet Gum balls. At least that’s what we call them.
Preschool rocks.
It’s a seed pod from a Sweet Gum Tree, also known as a Sweet Gum Ball.
I’m also unemployed and look forward to being a [insert random occupation here] again soon.
Also, we have these trees and their pods here in Portland, OR, but I didn’t know what they were. Thanks Zoot-readers.
I’m in Southern California and was taught they are Liquidambar balls (balls–HEE. Yes, I am nine–well, forty-nine.) Turns out Liquidambar is the genus for the sweet gum. I guess that’s what happens when you grow up next to an arboretum.
Hooray for really good preschool teachers!
I love daycare for the same reason, she comes home knowing all sorts of stuff I wouldn’t think to teach her yet.
Your readers already beat me to the answer. When are you up for New Moon? I don’t even have to go to the drinky-movie at the Monaco.