Mid-September Newsletter

Mid-September Newsletter

This glorious summer-turning-to-fall season has been thoroughly enjoyed by us all.  We are so fortunate to spend our days in such lovely surroundings with such lovely people – big and small!

As we take our daily hikes, we observe countless marvels.

We have noticed the clouds reflecting in the water at Flood Control, and one morning we even saw a sliver of the moon! 

On a particularly drizzly morning we watched the rain drops fall on the water and then we noticed water droplets on a spider web.  In that spider web was the biggest spider we have ever seen!  It was a black and yellow garden spider.  We watched it eat its breakfast.  We visited it two days in a row.

There is much to see at the Flood Control!  We used binoculars to gaze at a heron.  On that same hike we discovered monarch caterpillars nibbling on milkweed! 

Our strong hiking legs took us as far as Checkerberry Woods, which is past the far end of the dam.  There we learned about the difference between a partridge berry and a checkerberry.   We brought samples back for parents to see.  We learned an important rule of never eating anything we find without permission from an adult.

Every day the chickens, the rooster , the pigs and our bunny Sooty are happy to see us when we feed them.

Before our time exploring outside begins, we are busy inside.  We have cooked with apples, made a snack called “Ants On a Log”, made an ant out of egg cartons, and made house collages, which include all the members of our own houses. 

The preschoolers have many opportunities to be helpful, in addition to feeding the animals; They have carried each other's lunch boxes, swept the floor, washed tables, watered plants and painted signs. 

Clothing Needs  Just a reminder that all children need to have waterproof over pants and boots each day.  Also now that the air is chill in the mornings, it is time for hat and mittens.  Please note that we are all happiest with mittens that allow little hands to bend, grasp and stay dry.

Snack ideas   Frozen vegetables (which will thaw of course),  such as peas or corn, cubes of avocado, cheese, or meat, whole grain Triscuits, peeled hardboiled egg, tortilla rolled up with peanut butter , honey and rice crispies.

Illness Policy  If your child isn't feeling well, please keep them home until they are clearly recovered.  Not only do we hope to avoid spreading colds, coughs, fever and stomach bugs, your child will be unhappy and stressed as they attempt to keep up with our busy days of outdoor play, hiking and working.

Reminder that we are closed on Columbus Day, October 13th. 

Our gratefulness and best wishes to you and your families!

Your Ebenezer Farm Friends