I have a hard time most days letting my kids play video games. It’s not because there are really violent games out there, although I am fully aware of this fact. That is not a problem because we heavily regulate what they play and the games are bought by us. It took me two years to finally give in to my family having a Wii with my final reasoning being that I should probably meet the rest of my family half way so I gave in and we limit their time to play. My husband is a big game buff and enjoys playing with the boys. I play from time to time but usually after a half hour my mind is swimming and I can’t see straight.

There are still many days where I want to just chuck the WiiU (which the three males saved up to purchase together) across the road. I gave in to the purchase of the original Wii because I had Atari (yeah, that’s right) when I was a kid. We regulate the game playing to weekends. I have to say, the boys really appreciate when we sit down together and play for a half hour as a family. It is very special for them and I totally respect this and that in itself makes it important to me – and fun – before my eyes get all buggy. 🙂

The boys got Skylanders Swap-force for Christmas. They make good use of the strategy books to figure out how to best get through a level and which characters to use. They are planning and strategizing and I like that and it’s something I try to pay close attention to because children are amazing and so very resourceful in the way their minds work. Sometimes we are too busy to notice, as adults.

This morning when they asked to play on the Wii we told them to find something else to do while we made breakfast. Initially, they seemed at a loss but not for long. They used the Scrabble game that our neighbours gifted to them. But they didn’t play your usual Scrabble. They flipped though the Skylanders strategy guide and found five characters they liked and spelled out there names on the board then proceeded to somehow add up each character’s points which had something to do with which kind of ‘type’ they were and how they related to the other characters. L wrote each character’s points on a sticky note as they went along, adding it all up and noting how each character placed on the board, as in first place, second etc.

This was good and I thought it was pretty neat. They exercised their spelling skills, math skills and organization skills and had fun doing it. True, it still had to do with a video game but it extended into something new. As always, I have to say, video games aren’t all bad. It’s the moderation that counts and when they extend their ideas into other ways of play, it can be very cool.

Just today I was FaceTiming with a wonderful friend. We ended up talking for a fair part of the afternoon and it felt good to connect and share. When we had finished I went to check the mail, and amidst a few parcels of books (yay books!) I found a package from her and it was like getting a hug in the mail. The boys were so excited to open the wrappings and so I to reminded them to slow down and be careful as we knew these were valuable pieces.

I took pictures of these special parts of nature from New Mexico and Colorado so that I wouldn’t forget where each came from. I tell myself I will remember these types of details but laughingly remind myself from past experience that that is rarely the case. Pictures are wonderful memory catalysts.

The boys and I couldn’t believe how soft these were…

There are actual seeds within the yucca pod which I find just beautiful. I may have to draw it.
The volcanic rock was light and smooth in some parts and in others held the surface texture of whatever it touched as it cooled.

I can see why the cottonwood is such a personal favourite. These leaves glistened like gold. They were amazing.

The boys called out the oak and maple right away and were in awe of the colour of the cottonwood. I also love that the oak leaves are paired and that the double samara is this beautiful yellow green colour I’ve never seen before. In our part of Nova Scotia they tend to be a medium brown tone with less depth. We still love them nonetheless and enjoy watching them lightly helicopter down through the air to the ground.

We were so careful with the cottonwood seeds that looked like they were already in mid-flight.

The pine cone had a movement all its own with its whispy appendages.

We were surprised at how the deceptive weight of the petrified wood and I chuckled to myself as we had just been discussing this in our FaceTime conversation.

These treasures needed a safe and special spot away from the curiosity of Gypsy. The mantle was to be the chosen spot so I found an appropriate plate, placed everything with care and made space on our mantle between our plethora of shells and pine cones, candles and incense. It’s our little nature altar. I like that.

Thank you, Dawn, for the wonderful addition to our collection. Makes me smile. It was a good day.

Dawn is one of the best lovers of nature I know. If you want to see what she is up to and find out more about the world outside your door, you should really visit the Mud Puddles to Meteors site. It’s packed full of cool stuff!