Mother Nature hasn't felt like offering up much white stuff (until recently) for my family to enjoy our usual outdoor winter fun on skis and sleds. So, we're adapting. The cold spell has offered conditions to get outdoor community ice skating rinks around southern Maine up and running.
Ice skating is something I introduced to my kids when they were preschoolers. I felt they should have a comfort level to be "social" about it. Basically, I figured if some friends asked them to go ice skating, they could accept the invitation with confidence they knew the basics to have fun.
When the girls were little, I collected various sizes of inexpensive ice skates through second-hand stores and yard sales. I would bring along a small plastic lawn chair or old milk crate to an outdoor rink and make sure the girls were wearing a thick pair of snow pants to pad their little behinds for the inevitable falls. Then we'd skate around until we couldn't feel our toes, which was usually less than an hour. But how long we spent on the ice didn't matter. The activity was free and the girls had a ton of fun, with most of the giggles happening when I fell.
When my girls were in elementary school they had friends who were learning to figure skate in a formal learn-to-skate program. My girls could have cared less about taking lessons at that time. But I learned two important things about ice skating equipment from my figure skating mom friend.
• A firm figure skating boot that offers solid ankle support makes the experience a lot more fun, because standing and simple gliding is significantly easier.
• A sharp blade is absolutely worth the sharpening fee.
A stiffer figure skating boot offers ankle support that will keep a skater upright more easily than the old floppy boots. Trust me, this makes a BIG difference! Play It Again sports offers these type of skates second-hand, but I also have friends who have found good quality figure skates in various sizes through eBay and Craigslist. When used, these types of skates run about $25-$40; new, they start around $50-$70. L.L. Bean also offers some good skates for tots with an ankle strap for added support.
When my girls decided to take formal skating lessons about a year and a half ago, I borrowed a pair of good quality skates from my friend and purchased another pair on sale for $60. My girls used those skates for about a year, until they started learning jumps and spins. That's when I had to make the investment in custom fit skates from a pro shop. I had some serious sticker shock on that trip, even though the girls had a Cinderella-like fitting experience. That, however, is a story for another time.
As for sharp blades, that makes all the gliding difference for a novice skater. The frustration level in learning the sport can be lessened with a simple sharpening. Most ice rinks offer a basic sharpening service for $5-$8 per pair and often can do the sharpening while you wait.
As for where to take your family skating, there are a lot of options. I have always been a bit squeamish about skating on ponds and lakes, but I am thankful for the large number of communities that flood park rinks, removing the worry about thin ice. When outdoor skating conditions don't appeal, there are several indoor rinks that offer public skating.
For those inspired to try a learn-to-skate class, the Portland Ice Arena, Family Ice Center in Falmouth and Biddeford Ice Arena all offer formal lessons. Classes are geared for basic elements in figure skating and hockey skills. And if you remember watching the Olympic skating competitions as a girl and were inspired to try it but never did, take an adult class. I have thoroughly enjoyed my learn-to-skate experience at Portland Ice Arena. I give a lot of credit to my teens for being good sports about cheering me on with my slower learning curve (they are five levels – and many skate skills – ahead of me now).
My family has come a long way since our days of floppy skates and milk crates, yet we have many fond memories of those early years on the ice together. But no matter your skating level or whether you skate indoors or out, it definitely helps make a less snowy – but cold – winter more fun.
INDOOR RINKS
• The Portland Ice Arena offers public skating from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sundays. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for youths and seniors, and $2 for skate rentals. www.portlandicearena.com
• The Family Ice Center in Falmouth offers indoor public skating from 5 to 6 p.m. Saturdays, and from 1:20 to 2:30 p.m. some Sundays (check the website). Next to the indoor rink is the Lee Twombley Pond, an outdoor Zamboni-maintained pond that is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, weather permitting. The cost is $5 per person for the pond or indoor rink, and skate rentals are available for $2. www.familyice.org
• The Biddeford Ice Arena offers public skating from 7 to 10 p.m. most Fridays (check the website) in January for $6 per person; kids under 5 skate free. Rentals are available. www.biddefordarena.com
OUTDOOR RINKS
This is a sampling of free outdoor options. View a more comprehensive list at: www.mainetoday.com/guides/winter12.html#skating
• Biddeford: West Brook Skating Rink, Pool Street, fees to skate with warming hut, skate shop, concessions
• Freeport: Parking lot on Depot Street
• Portland: Deering Oaks pond, State Street and Park Avenue
• Standish: Johnson Field, Sebago Lake Village, Route 35, warming hut, port-a-potty
• Scarborough: Behind Wentworth School on Municipal Drive, lighted with warming hut and concession area
•Westbrook: Stroudwater Ice Rink, Stroudwater Street, lighted with warming hut; East Bridge Street Ball Park, East Bridge Street
Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram Jan. 15, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Kid Tracks Column: Hands-on approach to geoscience
Children spend time in school learning about Earth science and geology, but the subject can be a bit, ahem, dry when reading about it in a book. Thanks to the Geological Society of America (GSA) and their EarthCache resource, parents have an easy, hands-on way to explore geological features while enjoying time outdoors with their families. And not to worry, you don't need to remember anything about Earth science lessons to play this game with your kids. EarthCache ''Masters'' does all the legwork for you.
On its website, EarthCache.org, the GSA explains its approach to educating the general public about geosciences.
''People who want to visit Earthcaches can gather information about a site and what they will experience there through educational notes provided. The notes are written so that an upper-middle school student can understand the science concepts.''
When a tween can grasp the concept of a glacial erratic, basalt deposit, conglomerate quartzite, glacial striation and waterfall formation because of a game she played while hiking with her family, you can be assured it's a novice-friendly way to learn about Earth science.
The only tools you need to find an EarthCache are a smartphone with a geocaching application to access EarthCache listings, or a hand-held GPS to input coordinates and a computer to print out the educational notes.
A few years back, my family found our first EarthCache. It was a glacial erratic near Conway, N.H. That's geologist vernacular for a large boulder sitting in a place where you wouldn't expect to find it. The (basic) geological explanation for this piece of misplaced rock is that it was transported thousands of miles from its original home by a glacier during the last ice age. The glacier melted, so the rock stopped moving.
Upon finding the ''largest known glacial erratic in New England, '' according to the listing, we made a post on the website to prove we'd found the location as well as a photo of ourselves in front of it.
Acadia National Park offers an EarthCache experience that takes visitors to six unique park locations. Without giving away too much of the fun, we went on a hike to find Mt. Desert Island's sea level before the last ice age changed it. There is nothing like climbing a mountain and finding a landmark to demonstrate to a child (or an adult for that matter) how significant the change in sea level is now.
During a driving trip to New York City, we made a detour through Springfield, Mass., to find dinosaur prints. The EarthCache listing directed us to a little hiking trail known to locals but not widely advertised to tourists. It was fascinating to see and touch the footprints and know that dinosaurs crossed this path 190 million years ago.
The EarthCache Masters Program is the GSA's way of encouraging goal-oriented types (children and adults) to learn about geology. There are four pin levels - from Bronze to Platinum.
For people to earn their Silver (second) pin, they need to research and post their own EarthCache listing. My family listed Mount Apatite because it was a location we've enjoyed hiking and mining over the years, and one where we can easily identify several types of rocks and minerals.
If you do a key word search on EarthCache.org for ''Gem Trackers'' you'll find our listing explaining the area and the kind of gems you can find.
If you asked me about my earth science class in high school, it's unlikely I would have told you it was enjoyable. But I have a feeling it ranks pretty high on the fun 'o meter with my girls.
MORE * Learn more about EarthCache at earthcache.org
* The first international EarthCache event will be held in Portland in September. To find out more about this family-friendly weekend event, go to www.earthcacheevent.org
Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram, Dec. 11, 2011
On its website, EarthCache.org, the GSA explains its approach to educating the general public about geosciences.
''People who want to visit Earthcaches can gather information about a site and what they will experience there through educational notes provided. The notes are written so that an upper-middle school student can understand the science concepts.''
When a tween can grasp the concept of a glacial erratic, basalt deposit, conglomerate quartzite, glacial striation and waterfall formation because of a game she played while hiking with her family, you can be assured it's a novice-friendly way to learn about Earth science.
The only tools you need to find an EarthCache are a smartphone with a geocaching application to access EarthCache listings, or a hand-held GPS to input coordinates and a computer to print out the educational notes.
A few years back, my family found our first EarthCache. It was a glacial erratic near Conway, N.H. That's geologist vernacular for a large boulder sitting in a place where you wouldn't expect to find it. The (basic) geological explanation for this piece of misplaced rock is that it was transported thousands of miles from its original home by a glacier during the last ice age. The glacier melted, so the rock stopped moving.
Upon finding the ''largest known glacial erratic in New England, '' according to the listing, we made a post on the website to prove we'd found the location as well as a photo of ourselves in front of it.
Acadia National Park offers an EarthCache experience that takes visitors to six unique park locations. Without giving away too much of the fun, we went on a hike to find Mt. Desert Island's sea level before the last ice age changed it. There is nothing like climbing a mountain and finding a landmark to demonstrate to a child (or an adult for that matter) how significant the change in sea level is now.
During a driving trip to New York City, we made a detour through Springfield, Mass., to find dinosaur prints. The EarthCache listing directed us to a little hiking trail known to locals but not widely advertised to tourists. It was fascinating to see and touch the footprints and know that dinosaurs crossed this path 190 million years ago.
The EarthCache Masters Program is the GSA's way of encouraging goal-oriented types (children and adults) to learn about geology. There are four pin levels - from Bronze to Platinum.
For people to earn their Silver (second) pin, they need to research and post their own EarthCache listing. My family listed Mount Apatite because it was a location we've enjoyed hiking and mining over the years, and one where we can easily identify several types of rocks and minerals.
If you do a key word search on EarthCache.org for ''Gem Trackers'' you'll find our listing explaining the area and the kind of gems you can find.
If you asked me about my earth science class in high school, it's unlikely I would have told you it was enjoyable. But I have a feeling it ranks pretty high on the fun 'o meter with my girls.
MORE * Learn more about EarthCache at earthcache.org
* The first international EarthCache event will be held in Portland in September. To find out more about this family-friendly weekend event, go to www.earthcacheevent.org
Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram, Dec. 11, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
A sheep holiday greeting
When you're in 4-H you never know what kind of email forwards you'll get about animals. Livestock offer a lot of fodder for amusing email exchanges because there is a lot of humor to be had in the little things you "get" when you actually raise farm animals.
The particular forward we received today was just good old fashioned livestock cuteness so I thought I'd share it.
Life has been hectic so I have yet to write a full blog entry about anything lately. But I'm thinking about doing some retro entries of past events at the Almeida homestead (and travels) soon.
For now, happy December!
The particular forward we received today was just good old fashioned livestock cuteness so I thought I'd share it.
Life has been hectic so I have yet to write a full blog entry about anything lately. But I'm thinking about doing some retro entries of past events at the Almeida homestead (and travels) soon.
For now, happy December!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Kid Tracks Column: Hiking Burnt Meadow Mountain
The Burnt Meadow Mountain trail is a great way to take in the fall foliage. My family has hiked this trail quite a few times, but it seems for one reason or another we have never made it to the northern peak.
The mileage of 1.4 miles (one way) and an elevation gain of 1,194 feet are stats we've managed on other mountains. Unfortunately we did not summit the northern peak this fall due to a minor injury with our canine hiking friend. But there were a couple wonderful vistas along the way that made us feel like it was a mission accomplished for enjoying the sights of a beautiful fall day in the western mountains area.
We set off on our hike with our high-energy foster puppy and he had no problem with the elevation gain. The girls and I struggled a bit more to find our own rhythm up the mountain.
It has been a while since we've tackled a mountain due to the girls' 4-H projects, specifically wrangling their sheep, pigs and cows. Raising livestock offers its own exercise program but isn't quite as cardio-oriented as mountain hiking.
We had been on the trail for about 15 minutes when we decided to take a water break and catch our breath. My 13-year-old asked me to consult my GPS to see how much mileage we had covered. It was .26 miles, with a couple hundred feet elevation gain.
"What? I thought we had gone farther than that!"
Like I said, we're a little out of mountain hiking shape. But onward we trekked, still committed to getting to the northern peak. About three-quarters of a mile up the trail we ran into our favorite vista (so far) on this mountain. It's an open rock face with great views of the surrounding mountains and valley.
Of course we had to stop.
We confirmed what the news has been reporting -- this year's fall foliage is less than stellar. We saw color on the trees, but it just wasn't a full spectrum of fall colors we've seen before. There was a lot more yellow and brown than red and orange. We've hiked this trail for quite a few falls over the years, so we had the pictures at home to confirm this observation.
No matter, the view of the valley was still beautiful. The picnic lunch we packed was tasty.
The fresh blood drops we noticed on the rocks were not such a welcome sight.
After a quick inspection we found the blood source. The pup had a wound on the lower part of his rear ankle. It didn't look like anything too serious. Nevertheless, this was concerning because he is not actually our dog, so we tend to err on the side of extra caution.
We poured some water on the wound and applied antibiotic cream. I actually know very little about dog first aid, but he seemed fine otherwise and was not limping. But the girls and I decided it would be best to head back to the trail head. The northern peak was just going to have to wait until another year.
During our climb down we talked about our next attempt to summit this mountain. We've been on this trail at least a half dozen times without a peak visit. With busy teenager schedules we don't get out hiking as much as I'd like in any season, so I don't think we'll be getting back here before the snow flies.
"There is always next year, Mom."
BURNT MEADOW MOUNTAIN
TOWN: Brownfield
LENGTH: 1.2 miles to northern peak
ELEVATION GAIN: 1,194 feet
DIFFICULTY: Intermediate
OTHER: The trail head is unmarked and easy to miss. It is 3.1 miles from the junction of routes 113/5 and 160.
Hiking Burnt Meadow Mountain in Brownfield at EveryTrail
Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram Nov. 13, 2011
The mileage of 1.4 miles (one way) and an elevation gain of 1,194 feet are stats we've managed on other mountains. Unfortunately we did not summit the northern peak this fall due to a minor injury with our canine hiking friend. But there were a couple wonderful vistas along the way that made us feel like it was a mission accomplished for enjoying the sights of a beautiful fall day in the western mountains area.
We set off on our hike with our high-energy foster puppy and he had no problem with the elevation gain. The girls and I struggled a bit more to find our own rhythm up the mountain.
It has been a while since we've tackled a mountain due to the girls' 4-H projects, specifically wrangling their sheep, pigs and cows. Raising livestock offers its own exercise program but isn't quite as cardio-oriented as mountain hiking.We had been on the trail for about 15 minutes when we decided to take a water break and catch our breath. My 13-year-old asked me to consult my GPS to see how much mileage we had covered. It was .26 miles, with a couple hundred feet elevation gain.
"What? I thought we had gone farther than that!"
Like I said, we're a little out of mountain hiking shape. But onward we trekked, still committed to getting to the northern peak. About three-quarters of a mile up the trail we ran into our favorite vista (so far) on this mountain. It's an open rock face with great views of the surrounding mountains and valley.
Of course we had to stop.
We confirmed what the news has been reporting -- this year's fall foliage is less than stellar. We saw color on the trees, but it just wasn't a full spectrum of fall colors we've seen before. There was a lot more yellow and brown than red and orange. We've hiked this trail for quite a few falls over the years, so we had the pictures at home to confirm this observation.
No matter, the view of the valley was still beautiful. The picnic lunch we packed was tasty.
The fresh blood drops we noticed on the rocks were not such a welcome sight.
After a quick inspection we found the blood source. The pup had a wound on the lower part of his rear ankle. It didn't look like anything too serious. Nevertheless, this was concerning because he is not actually our dog, so we tend to err on the side of extra caution.
We poured some water on the wound and applied antibiotic cream. I actually know very little about dog first aid, but he seemed fine otherwise and was not limping. But the girls and I decided it would be best to head back to the trail head. The northern peak was just going to have to wait until another year.
During our climb down we talked about our next attempt to summit this mountain. We've been on this trail at least a half dozen times without a peak visit. With busy teenager schedules we don't get out hiking as much as I'd like in any season, so I don't think we'll be getting back here before the snow flies.
"There is always next year, Mom."
BURNT MEADOW MOUNTAIN
TOWN: Brownfield
LENGTH: 1.2 miles to northern peak
ELEVATION GAIN: 1,194 feet
DIFFICULTY: Intermediate
OTHER: The trail head is unmarked and easy to miss. It is 3.1 miles from the junction of routes 113/5 and 160.
Hiking Burnt Meadow Mountain in Brownfield at EveryTrailOriginally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram Nov. 13, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Overheard at the Almeida house
There has been some conspiracy afoot at our house regarding 4-H animal projects for this coming year. Now that the Cumberland and Fryeburg fairs (the kids both spent a day showing animals at Fryeburg with friends for the first time this year) are over the girls are making animal plans for this year.
"If I don't raise pigs next year I will have time to raise goats mom. I really want a goat." (L)
Back story: L and I went to a seminar two years ago about raising sheep and goats when we were considering getting sheep. It was there she found out about the Kids for Kids free Boer goat program for Maine children. She has begged to do that (get-a-free-goat) program for these past two years. The request has been consistently asked since then.
"Rebecca said she'd sell me some baby goats." (L)
"We love Rebecca's goat milk!" (G & L in unison)
I have referred to Rebecca, my kids' adult friend who raises dairy goats, as our "goat milk crack dealer." She's given the kids goat milk on two different occasions and they fight over it because they like it so much.
"Daddy you gotta try this milk. It's awesome!"
Wisely, the girls saved just enough goat milk for Fino to try to convince him that raising dairy goats is a fabulous idea for our family.
After thecrack, err goat milk, Fino had this to say...
"I think we can build a goat shelter next to the sheep and they can share a pen. That would be do-able."
On another livestock subject...
"David is picking me up today to get that Romney ram. He's going to pick up Minnie (L's yearling sheep) on the way home." (L)
"Minnie is going to be at David's farm for 5 weeks and then I get her back. I can't wait for Minnie to have baby lambs!" (L)
"L., do you think we have to make the sheep pen bigger for the new lambs?" (Fino)
"Yes dad, we should. We can make it bigger and make the goat shelter then too." (L)
And because L. is an excellent strategist, she knows how to strike when the iron is hot. Or in this case, when dad is agreeing with her.
"You know dad, I saw this really cute llama when we were picking up the ram..." (L)
Here is the text I received while L. was picking up the ram with her adult sheep farmer friend David.
The picture is small but L. is standing in front of a llama.
"We are not going to get a llama this year L." (Fino)
"No freakin' way L!" (Me)
"OK maybe we need a year with the goats first before we get a llama." (L)
"Mom the llama would be pretty funny." (G)
"When are we going to Florida to visit Grandma?" (Me)
The Florida trip is coming up at the end of the month and it will be (mostly) animal-free. I need to recharge before another interesting year of 4-H livestock projects because when 3 out of 4 Almeidas are on-board with an idea, it's a pretty good bet it's gonna happen.
"If I don't raise pigs next year I will have time to raise goats mom. I really want a goat." (L)
Back story: L and I went to a seminar two years ago about raising sheep and goats when we were considering getting sheep. It was there she found out about the Kids for Kids free Boer goat program for Maine children. She has begged to do that (get-a-free-goat) program for these past two years. The request has been consistently asked since then.
"Rebecca said she'd sell me some baby goats." (L)
"We love Rebecca's goat milk!" (G & L in unison)
I have referred to Rebecca, my kids' adult friend who raises dairy goats, as our "goat milk crack dealer." She's given the kids goat milk on two different occasions and they fight over it because they like it so much.
"Daddy you gotta try this milk. It's awesome!"
Wisely, the girls saved just enough goat milk for Fino to try to convince him that raising dairy goats is a fabulous idea for our family.
After the
"I think we can build a goat shelter next to the sheep and they can share a pen. That would be do-able."
On another livestock subject...
"David is picking me up today to get that Romney ram. He's going to pick up Minnie (L's yearling sheep) on the way home." (L)
"Minnie is going to be at David's farm for 5 weeks and then I get her back. I can't wait for Minnie to have baby lambs!" (L)
"L., do you think we have to make the sheep pen bigger for the new lambs?" (Fino)
"Yes dad, we should. We can make it bigger and make the goat shelter then too." (L)
And because L. is an excellent strategist, she knows how to strike when the iron is hot. Or in this case, when dad is agreeing with her.
"You know dad, I saw this really cute llama when we were picking up the ram..." (L)
Here is the text I received while L. was picking up the ram with her adult sheep farmer friend David.
The picture is small but L. is standing in front of a llama.
"We are not going to get a llama this year L." (Fino)
"No freakin' way L!" (Me)
"OK maybe we need a year with the goats first before we get a llama." (L)
"Mom the llama would be pretty funny." (G)
"When are we going to Florida to visit Grandma?" (Me)
The Florida trip is coming up at the end of the month and it will be (mostly) animal-free. I need to recharge before another interesting year of 4-H livestock projects because when 3 out of 4 Almeidas are on-board with an idea, it's a pretty good bet it's gonna happen.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Kid Tracks Column: Leaves preserve memories of fall outings
When the fall colors start emerging on trees, the leaves become irresistible collectibles for kids.
When my girls were preschoolers we'd take a short hike and end up with a big stack of leaves collected off the ground that just had to be brought home.
Once the pretty colored leaves made their way into our house, the kids would ask me to help make something out of them. This prompted me to find some creative seasonal crafts that, even as teens, the girls still enjoy doing at this time of year.
Wax pressing: This technique I learned as a child is still one of the easiest, low-tech ways to preserve the colors of fall in their most natural state.
Put a flat leaf between two pieces of wax paper. The wax paper should be about a half-inch larger than the leaf around the perimeter. Lay a thin dishcloth over the wax paper (thin cloth is key to ensuring even, low heat during pressing).
Use an iron on a low heat setting and iron over the cloth, being sure to gently press the iron over the entire leaf.
Some people prefer to seal the edges of wax paper with the leaf inside. My kids don't like the look of the leaf in the wax paper, so they take the leaf out. There is a thin layer of wax left on the leaf when removed from the wax paper and this is what helps preserves it.
But I should mention that ironing leaves is a semi-smelly business. The heated leaf offers up an earthy smell that takes a while to dissipate.
My kids like to make collages with the leaves and put them in matted glass frames. It offers a nice finished look and preserves the leaves for at least a couple of seasons.
Crayon rubbings: The girls got into leaf rubbings when they were in elementary school. I waited to introduce this method, because it can be tricky to make a rubbing.
The only items required for rubbing are lightweight, white paper and thick crayons with the paper label removed (the larger, toddler crayons work great if you have them).
After the kids find a leaf they like, help them find a flat surface. If we're out on the trail, we look for a big rock that is a bit larger than the leaf they want to rub. When around home, a cement step works great.
Put the leaf on the rock and place the paper over it. Mom or Dad can help by holding two corners of the paper to keep it and the leaf in place. Without parental help, kids can get frustrated with the blurry image that results from the leaf moving around as the crayon is rubbed on the paper.
I always tried to pack a full array of colors in the kids' backpacks to ensure a varied ensemble of rubbings to bring home from the trail.
For older kids in need of a science project for school -- or for Scouts or 4-H displays -- my daughters can attest that a poster of leaf identifications with the rubbings can be colorful and informative.
Leaf impressions: This is a simple way to create art with leaves. You only a need a piece of white cotton fabric and some fabric paint that can be applied with a paint brush.
Kids simply collect a mix of leaf shapes and sizes. Then they paint the surface of a leaf and place it on the fabric paint-side down. Encourage the kids to apply pressure around all of the leaf's edges to get a clear definition of the shape.
A friend of mine encouraged her kids to press down on the leaf with a paper plate. The kids reported much better impressions of their leaves that way than using hands-only pressure.
Another way to make a leaf impression is to put fabric dye in a spray bottle, place leaves on fabric and spray the dye over the leaves.
Let the dye dry for at least 10 to 15 minutes before removing the leaves to ensure you don't blur the edges.
It's a great variation on tie-dyeing, but it's messy, so dress the kids accordingly.
Collecting two thick sticks and affixing the fabric to them like a scroll offers a festive, natural fall display.
Leaf ID notebook: Encouraging kids to start a leaf-collecting notebook not only helps them organize their collections each season, it minimizes the space needed to display them in your house.
My kids made their own collection notebooks by folding pieces of white paper and sewing the left edge with embroidery floss to make a simple binding.
They put each collected leaf on its own page. They can choose to use the wax paper method to preserve the leaf, make a rubbing or just glue it in as it is.
The key to using an untreated leaf is to make sure the notebook is placed under a heavy book overnight to keep the leaf from curling while it's drying.
As my kids got older, I encouraged them to write in the type of tree the leaf came from, using our tree identification book, as well as the place they found the leaf. It has been a great way to practice their tree ID skills and reminisce about our hikes together.
No matter the method you use to collect and display fall leaves, this time of year offers plenty of creativity and learning. Leaf collection is a simple and wonderful way to help your child explore the natural environment.
Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram, Oct. 9, 2011
When my girls were preschoolers we'd take a short hike and end up with a big stack of leaves collected off the ground that just had to be brought home.
Once the pretty colored leaves made their way into our house, the kids would ask me to help make something out of them. This prompted me to find some creative seasonal crafts that, even as teens, the girls still enjoy doing at this time of year.
Wax pressing: This technique I learned as a child is still one of the easiest, low-tech ways to preserve the colors of fall in their most natural state.
Put a flat leaf between two pieces of wax paper. The wax paper should be about a half-inch larger than the leaf around the perimeter. Lay a thin dishcloth over the wax paper (thin cloth is key to ensuring even, low heat during pressing).
Use an iron on a low heat setting and iron over the cloth, being sure to gently press the iron over the entire leaf.
Some people prefer to seal the edges of wax paper with the leaf inside. My kids don't like the look of the leaf in the wax paper, so they take the leaf out. There is a thin layer of wax left on the leaf when removed from the wax paper and this is what helps preserves it.
But I should mention that ironing leaves is a semi-smelly business. The heated leaf offers up an earthy smell that takes a while to dissipate.
My kids like to make collages with the leaves and put them in matted glass frames. It offers a nice finished look and preserves the leaves for at least a couple of seasons.
Crayon rubbings: The girls got into leaf rubbings when they were in elementary school. I waited to introduce this method, because it can be tricky to make a rubbing.
The only items required for rubbing are lightweight, white paper and thick crayons with the paper label removed (the larger, toddler crayons work great if you have them).
After the kids find a leaf they like, help them find a flat surface. If we're out on the trail, we look for a big rock that is a bit larger than the leaf they want to rub. When around home, a cement step works great.
Put the leaf on the rock and place the paper over it. Mom or Dad can help by holding two corners of the paper to keep it and the leaf in place. Without parental help, kids can get frustrated with the blurry image that results from the leaf moving around as the crayon is rubbed on the paper.
I always tried to pack a full array of colors in the kids' backpacks to ensure a varied ensemble of rubbings to bring home from the trail.
For older kids in need of a science project for school -- or for Scouts or 4-H displays -- my daughters can attest that a poster of leaf identifications with the rubbings can be colorful and informative.
Leaf impressions: This is a simple way to create art with leaves. You only a need a piece of white cotton fabric and some fabric paint that can be applied with a paint brush.
Kids simply collect a mix of leaf shapes and sizes. Then they paint the surface of a leaf and place it on the fabric paint-side down. Encourage the kids to apply pressure around all of the leaf's edges to get a clear definition of the shape.
A friend of mine encouraged her kids to press down on the leaf with a paper plate. The kids reported much better impressions of their leaves that way than using hands-only pressure.
Another way to make a leaf impression is to put fabric dye in a spray bottle, place leaves on fabric and spray the dye over the leaves.
Let the dye dry for at least 10 to 15 minutes before removing the leaves to ensure you don't blur the edges.
It's a great variation on tie-dyeing, but it's messy, so dress the kids accordingly.
Collecting two thick sticks and affixing the fabric to them like a scroll offers a festive, natural fall display.
Leaf ID notebook: Encouraging kids to start a leaf-collecting notebook not only helps them organize their collections each season, it minimizes the space needed to display them in your house.
My kids made their own collection notebooks by folding pieces of white paper and sewing the left edge with embroidery floss to make a simple binding.
They put each collected leaf on its own page. They can choose to use the wax paper method to preserve the leaf, make a rubbing or just glue it in as it is.
The key to using an untreated leaf is to make sure the notebook is placed under a heavy book overnight to keep the leaf from curling while it's drying.
As my kids got older, I encouraged them to write in the type of tree the leaf came from, using our tree identification book, as well as the place they found the leaf. It has been a great way to practice their tree ID skills and reminisce about our hikes together.
No matter the method you use to collect and display fall leaves, this time of year offers plenty of creativity and learning. Leaf collection is a simple and wonderful way to help your child explore the natural environment.
Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram, Oct. 9, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Making my 4H fair list, and checking it twice
The girls are prepping their various 4-H projects for the Cumberland Fair. Everything - exhibits and livestock - needs to be at the fairgrounds next Saturday. Every year I think we'll be in better organizational shape the week prior to the fair. But every year something happens before the fair that sends my best intentions out the window. This year it's a work schedule change for me. And, the girls have more show animals than previous years. This year L. has 3 sheep (she had 2 last year) and G. is showing 3 cows (she showed 1 last year).
I have a working packing list so I can regularly add to it when I think of items. I'm posting it on my blog, not so much to share the gory details with all of you as much as a way for me to reference it when I need it in case I lose my original list (which is entirely possible in my currently sleep-deprived brain).
The Almeida's fair packing list (so far - I know I am forgetting something already!):
Livestock
2 pigs, each between 220-250 pounds. 4-H friend hauling
3 sheep (1 yearling, 2 lambs - one lamb that is nearly the size of the yearling). We haul w/trailer and our wanna-be truck (mini-van)
3 cows (1 cow, 1 heifer and 1 bull calf). Farm hauling
4-H livestock forms & livestock insurance cards
4-H hall exhibits
* 14 exhibits for L w/fair entry paperwork attached to each one
* 15 exhibits for G, including baked items made the night before the drop-off and fair entry paperwork for each one
* old computer laptop (to play G.'s movie submission and L.'s robotic club's movie for judging day)
13-foot camper that we are also hauling with our wanna-be truck (mini-van)
L.'s packing list
* grain for sheep
* hay for sheep
* water bucket for sheep
* grain dish for sheep
* hand clippers for sheep
* hoof trimmers for sheep
* brushes for sheep
* 3 sheep halters
* sheep coats
* grain for pigs
* 2 grain dishes for pigs
* 2 pig boards
* shampoo to wash pigs
* wash bucket, sponge and scrub brush for pigs
* powder & baby oil for pigs
* baby wipes for sheep & pigs
* boots for stall mucking
* boots for showing
* show clothes for sheep
* show clothes for pigs - Swiners shirt and extra show pants
G.'s packing list
* show shirt and pants
* boots for stall mucking
* boots for showing
* show stick
* (farm's) show box with brushes, clippers, combs, hair stuff
* baby wipes
Mom's packing list
(check standard camper gear before hauling camper to fairgrounds)
* Breakfast items for 7 days
* Lunch supplies for 7 days
* water bottles & seltzer cans
* paper plates and napkins
* plastic silverware
(We're budgeting to eat dinner at the fairgrounds every night because I can't handle meal prep with shows just about every afternoon/evening!)
* Sleeping bags for the camper
* 4 pillows
* portable heater
* extra hangers for wet clothes - it has rained nearly every day at this fair for the past 3 years we've camped there.
* 4 aprons and hats for our 4-H kitchen volunteer time
And this year not only are we prepping for the fair, I am adjusting to a new night work schedule that I was assigned at the office. I have been an early morning person for the last decade so when the sun comes up, unfortunately so do I even if I've only been asleep for 3-4 hours. Every night I get a little more sleep so I am sure in a couple of weeks my body will have this snoozing thing figured out.
Then there are the kids and their much more demanding school and homework assignments that need to be figured out for our week at the fair.
And there is the third pig to get off for processing *this* weekend and coordinating with friends for the pick-up.
Oh, and G. just took on a new dog to foster two weeks ago.
I definitely have my hands full for the next 8 days. Then there is fair week, which is another whole ball of wax.
As my friends in college used to say, "It's going to be a show!" for the next couple of weeks.
But like every year, the coordination is always worth the effort. The kids learn so many practical life skills with their various activities at the fair every year. And we have some wonderful 4-H friends that make this all do-able - and fun! - for my family.
But if you see me this coming week, or the week of the fair, don't expect much conversation. Or be ready for my sleep-deprived silliness. I'm well-known for the latter and it's even more bizarre coming from a 40-year-old than it was during my college years. Just plan to forgive me now for my weirdness.
Happy upcoming fair week to all my 4-H friends!
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