one of the rewarding things I have done with N, is to introduce him to the concept of a nature box. we just used an old shoe box and we collected a couple of things – i bought him some shells while i was in Darwin last year. we have collected a pine cone on a walk to the swimming pool. he also has a some smooth stones and leaves inside it.
now, without any encouragement, when we walk anywhere he will pick something up to take home “for my nature collection”. While not discouraging him, i try to explain that we probably won’t be able to fit any more pine cones in the shoe box!
the pleasing thing for me, is that he really does notice things. the other night we had supper at my Pastor’s house (in honour of my sister’s birthday) and we parked our car on the opposite side of the road. it was dark, and as he got out of the car, N proclaimed “look mama!” and then proceeded to walk down a the owners lawn. as D called him back, he stretched his arms as far as they could go around a large tree and he said “look how big this tree is!”
it’s these things i want to remember forever – while i see the time racing away, i imagine the lifetime of moments with my kids the future will bring.
now, without any encouragement, when we walk anywhere he will pick something up to take home “for my nature collection”. While not discouraging him, i try to explain that we probably won’t be able to fit any more pine cones in the shoe box!
the pleasing thing for me, is that he really does notice things. the other night we had supper at my Pastor’s house (in honour of my sister’s birthday) and we parked our car on the opposite side of the road. it was dark, and as he got out of the car, N proclaimed “look mama!” and then proceeded to walk down a the owners lawn. as D called him back, he stretched his arms as far as they could go around a large tree and he said “look how big this tree is!”
it’s these things i want to remember forever – while i see the time racing away, i imagine the lifetime of moments with my kids the future will bring.
