We’ve been gearing up for what feels like months, and today…it’s here!  Alice is totally into Halloween.  This morning she made another batch of decorations, “the spookier the better” she says.

Early on, we tried out a few costumes but once this girl settled on a cheetah, she hasn’t changed her mind once.  A big thanks to friends with girls who passed down the sweet and oh-so-stylish leopard print pants (with zipper pockets!) and dress.  This ensemble created the base for Alice’s inspiration.

While in Boise, Alice got to trick-or-treat early at great Grandma Doris’s.  Even her recent visit to the dentist can’t squash this girl’s Halloween spirit!

Here’s a sample of Alice’s hand made decorations.  I think the little boxes are inspired from the Snoopy comic book we have from the library.  From left to right: Bat, Ghost, Skeleton, and Creaky Door.

Now, if we can just keep the riffraff away from our jack-o-lanterns for a few more hours, we will be golden!

     Happy Halloween!

Alice’s class recently had a visit from a real live chef!  Amy, from Amy’s Whole Food Creations came prepared with all the ingredients and recipes for a fun filled afternoon cooking class.  I’m so glad Alice likes to cook with me in the kitchen.  She’s usually game to pull up a stool, measure, pour, stir, sample, and declare when something is ready.

After making a variety of fun kid-friendly recipes, each kid went home with a recipe booklet and bag of paleo granola.  Alice has been begging to make “gatorade” ever since.

Step 1: Review recipe and gather ingredients.

i.e. Gatorade

The “aminals” ended up sitting this one out.

Step 2: Add ingredients to blender.

Remove lemon seeds

Add sweetener

Step 3: Mix and taste.

Operating the blender is fun!

A good chef always samples her wares.

Step 4: Bottle and Enjoy!

Love me some Gatorade!

Mmm…tasty.

xo

And here it is, the recipe!

A look back at the last few Octobers…as if we need a reminder that time marches on.

2012

Toes!

Those eyes!

 2013

Pink baby binky

Trailblazing hoodlum

2014

Fairy wings

Alice and Ruby

2015

Little Pumpkin

Slip striding away…

2016

Apple core

Always up for a chore

xo

For their first field trip, Roots Forest School was invited to an orchard along the Weiser River.  After splitting into groups, we set off for some fun activities.  Walnut ships were built and set to sail on the river.  Experiments were conducted with pine cones after hypothesizing as to what might happen.  Stories were read in an open loft.  Apples and pears were picked from fruit ladders.  Mules mingled with their company for the day.  A perfect fall afternoon really.

We feel pretty lucky that Alice is a student at Roots Forest School.  Last night there was an open house at the forest classroom and students proudly showed their parents around their wooded space.  There are specific areas full of wonderful things: wooden blocks, outdoor kitchen, circle time, garden tools, backpack rack, handmade kid table with benches, science projects underway, and a worm compost bin.  I can’t think of a more inviting learning environment.

And I can’t do a post about Roots Forest School without telling you about their goal to raise money for their own yurt.  Check out the GoFundMe page to learn more about how you can help Roots create their own space within Ponderosa State Park.

xo

I learned about underground composting from the book, Compost City.  There are actually a few methods: trench composting, sheet composting (aka lasagna gardening), and digesters.  Feeling bad about throwing compostables away since we moved, I wanted to find a way to compost again.  We talked a little about vermicomposting with worms, which Alice’s class does, but in the end we went with a digester!

A digester can be as simple as a galvanized metal trash can, drilled with holes and partially buried in the ground where microbes, insects, and worms can find the organic material inside and help break it down.  The sun warms the exposed section and there you go!  We’ll see how it goes through a McCall winter but for now, it’s nice to compost again.

Alice and I couldn’t wait to get started!  Here’s what we needed:

• Metal trashcan with lid
• Drill with 1/4″ bit (thanks Dad!)
• Safety glasses
• Gloves
• Shovels

Alice was all about helping every step of the way.  She jumped right into the hole and claimed the job of ‘rock getter’.

Girl just earned herself a new chore!

xo