Oak Tree in an Acorn: Water Play and Flower Play

Friday, August 8, 2008

Water Play and Flower Play

Genevieve has really enjoyed playing with her water table this summer. There is so much to do with a sensory table other than putting water in it, but during the heat of the summer, water and ice cubes are just what Genevieve likes! The Child Fun Web site has a whole list of wonderful ideas of ways to use a sensory table (or a bucket will do nicely too); for instance, in the spring time, letting the kiddos play with dirt, plastic flowers, and pots. We are excited to try some of these ideas as the year progresses!

Our neighbors, the Surles and Green families, are beautiful people and also have a beautiful yard. One of the girls' favorite parts of their yard is the butterfly garden which lies between our houses

. Every season, there is something new to see and experience, like chrysalises, different kinds of herbs and flowers, worms, lizards, birds, and butterflies. Currently, Eve is enjoying smelling the multicolored zinnas, and blowing wildflower seeds. Maybe some of these seeds will even become flowers for next year's butterfly garden.

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Why the title, "Oak Tree in an Acorn"?

Well, really it's all about perspective when raising the girls. It helps me to think about the grand scheme of parenting and remember that what we do now affects how our little acorns will grow. Like an oak tree, we want them to be strong in their words and deeds, be able to withstand life's storms, set and reach their goals, and be people that others can lean on and trust.

We have an oak tree planted in our yard that came from an acorn my dad planted in a pot. This acorn came from a huge oak tree that was planted in the backyard of my dad's childhood home. My dad's father also planted this tree from an acorn he found on his hunting lease in the early 1960's. Our tree is thus a family heirloom, a "family tree".

It was the year of Olivia's birth when we planted our little sapling. It looked so very sad that winter with no leaves; it was, basically, like a stick rooted in the ground. Five years later, though, it stands 9 feet tall, and we continue to nurture it and watch it grow. We hope one year it will produce acorns of its own, and we can continue to pass on this family heirloom. We hope to remember it's example of how each acorn has the potential to be an oak tree, and how our acorns, Olivia and Genevieve, will one day, with help from God, become mighty oak trees themselves.