Mommy & Me Mondays: An Up-cycled Herb Garden

Welcome to Mommy & Me Mondays! Each Monday Amanda and I will feature a quick activity you can do with your little ones at home to encourage them to learn, grow and experience the world around them. So check back each Monday for a new project.

An Up-cycled Herb Garden

 
We love re-purposing things around our house, not only does it save money but it also teaches our little ones to make the most out of the things that we have. To welcome in Earth Day we are making an Up-cycled Herb Garden. It is perfect for a kitchen window. To get started collect the following materials.
Materials:
Clean tin cans** ( any size )
White construction paper
scissors
tape
tissue paper scraps
modge podge
a foam brush
Small Herb plants
( we chose some sweet basil and orange mint )
** ahead of time punch a few holes in the bottom of your cans to allow for proper drainage.

To make your up-cycled herb garden start with a  few clean empty tin cans. Take white construction paper and wrap the cans using tape to attach to the can. Find some of that tissue paper you have been saving around the house from all of those birthday bags, and let your little one practice their cutting skills by cutting it into small squares. Once your squares are cut have your little one sort them into color piles. Have them apply them to the can using a foam brush and some modge podge. The more they overlap the better, let them get as creative as they want blending colors and overlapping squares. Allow to dry for a few minutes before filling them with your favorite herbs. What better way to show your children how foods are grown than this kitchen herb garden from dirt to dinner! Incorporating fresh basil from the garden into family pizza night just once will provide you with savings that you will continue to see all summer long...happy planting!

Science Connection: As you get ready to plant your herbs talk with your little ones about plants. You can talk about how plants are living things and they need certain things to grow ( air, water, sun and soil). You can even discuss the differences between non-living and living things. A backyard scavenger hunt is the perfect way to begin.
You can also have your little one identify the parts of their plants, the root system, the stem, the leaves and in some cases the flowers. Having your little one take care of their mini herb garden over the next several months will help to teach them responsibility as well as reinforce what living things need to grow.

 If you are looking for a science extension for your older kids please visit my  

Teachers Pay Teachers 

store for a science activity journal on plants.

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The next 364 Days..What will you do?

Today was the first of my 365 days as a stay at home mommy, it was awkward for the first few hours. I felt like I was late for something, there was some place I needed to be. But as we settled in to our morning routine I quickly embraced the finer aspects of being home. The fabulous commute to the kitchen table and the fact that I can teach in my jammies, all in all two very awesome perks! Kaitlyn was so filled with excitement today she was eager to "go to school" even if it was in the dining room. She referred to me as "teacher mommy" and was filled with so much exuberance. As she worked hard and soaked up all I had to say it was then I realized how truly impactful these next 364 days were going to be. Not just to my little Kaitlyn but to me as well. To be granted the precious gift of time, time to listen, time to chat, time to just watch her learn about herself and the world around her. This is what I have always dreamed of doing since I was just 3 years old myself, to be a mommy and nothing else, to have the time to truly devote my whole self to my children and their needs. So I challenge you (whoever happens to be reading this, hopefully it's more than just my mom :) ) what will you do with these next 364 days? Will you finally do what inspires you? Will you take a leap of faith? Will you reach out? Will you make a difference to someone? What will you do with the next 364 days?

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