a sweet surprise

We received a surprise package from the postman this week. My 70-year-old Aunt, who lives in Manitoba and hasn't seen me since I was little, sent a collection of treasures that suit our home learning family so well it was just magic to see it all. I couldn't have put together a more interesting and fitting collection of items for a family that I've never met!

thank you from all of us, Aunt Irene!

There were quilting books for me, a book on how to make tabletop fountains, plus a submersible water pump (!), a book on rock painting, two on wild birds and bird-feeding, a pair of binoculars which the kids have all been wanting (we may need to pick up another pair now because they have been extremely popular since getting them), a compass/multipurpose tool, paints & crayons and a book on container gardening (which I'm always wanting to learn more about, living with no soil on our property....). Perfect!

fitting together the tubing

Kale set to figuring out how the pump works right away, using a large bowl of water on the counter-top. He perused through the fountain book and now he's letting ideas percolate in his imagination about how he'd like to design his own for out on the deck (who doesn't love the musical and soothing sound of trickling water nearby?). We've collected a great selection of large rocks recently from an abandoned lot which I'm sure will be incorporated into the plan.

Sam and Hillary don't go anywhere now without the binoculars slung around one of their necks. It's been a big lesson in taking turns. Yes, I think binoculars will be next on our list of purchases...