Cheers to all the mothers, grandmothers, and care-takers out there! To all the women who touch our lives across a lifetime…

Thank you for every skinned-knee you clean, bad dream you hush away, cookie you bake, and broken heart you soothe.

For every costume you make, story you read, school play you sit through and drawing you hang on the fridge…

May your day be filled with blue skies, rainbow-colored flowers, heart-felt hugs, and more laughter than you know what to do with.

I give you the gift of a giggle or two, and perhaps — just perhaps — a knowing smile.

Messy Room by Shel Silverstein

Whosever room this is should be ashamed! His underwear is hanging on the lamp.

His raincoat is there in the overstuffed chair, And the chair is becoming quite mucky and damp.

His workbook is wedged in the window, His sweater’s been thrown on the floor.

His scarf and one ski are beneath the TV, And his pants have been carelessly hung on the door.

His books are all jammed in the closet, His vest has been left in the hall.

A lizard named Ed is asleep in his bed, And his smelly old sock has been stuck to the wall.

Whosever room this is should be ashamed! Donald or Robert or Willie or–

Huh? You say it’s mine? Oh, dear, I knew it looked familiar!

Go be queens of your day!

xoxo – The Grass Stain Guru

TGSG Note: I wrote this post a few years ago after the loss of a friend. Today would have been his birthday, so naturally my thoughts are drawn to him once again.

Coincidentally, I have never needed to read the words that follow more. In one of life’s rough patches, I find myself almost a stranger to the good these days. But, I am ready to practice what I preach and let my capacity for joy blossom.  After all, this ain’t no dress rehearsal. – Bethe

This post is dedicated to the memory of my dear friend, Craig Tufts. He taught me so much about nature and wildlife, and was so full of joy and life.  He was a man that knew how to live and to share joy with others — the best sort of man. My thoughts and love are with Jean and his family.

Gather up your telegrams
Your faded pictures, best laid plans
Books and postcards, 45s
Every sunset in the sky

Carry with you maps and string, flashlights
Friends who make you sing
And stars to help you find your place
Music, hope and amazing grace

Maybe what we leave
Is nothing but a tangled little mystery
Maybe what we take
Is nothing that has ever had a name

- Mary Chapin Carpenter

I couldn’t have said it better myself. Slow down. Live your life to the fullest. Laugh until you can hardly breath.  Increase your capacity for joy. Enjoy the feeling of the breeze on your face. Focus on experiences and people versus things and labels. Wiggle your toes in the sand and mud. Unplug and PLAY. Jump for joy, and pass it on.

In your pursuit of happiness you have to remember that it’s always there inside of you. Even on days you scarcely believe it possible. Sometimes, you just have to kick off your shoes and look for it.

Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go feel the sun on my face and walk barefoot through the grass.

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

 photo credit: Tawheed Manzoor

Weird-Bird by Shel Silverstein

Birds are flyin’ south for winter.
Here’s the Weird-Bird headin’ north,

Wings a-flappin’, beak a-chatterin’,
Cold head bobbin’ back ‘n’ forth.

He says, “It’s not that I like ice
Or freezin’ winds and snowy ground.

It’s just sometimes it’s kind of nice
To be the only bird in town.”

 To all my fellow weird-birds:

Be bold and fly whichever way your gut tells you. Find your flock(s), no matter how small. Travel light and remember that “…sometimes it’s kind of nice to be the only bird in town.”

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru 

TGSG Note: Howdy folks! This was one of my very first posts when I started this blog a little over two years ago. Surely, it’s time we revisit it, and get more people on board with the fun! Bethe

Into each childhood, thousands of moments of wonder should fall. Moments not fueled by expensive toys or electronic screens, but simple every-day treasures that can be found in backyards and communities world-wide.

In these simple, authentic moments not only is joy to be found, but memories will be made. I offer you this list as a jumping off point, and there will be more to come.

Join me! Let’s see what awe and wonder we can stir up — for kids and the kids at heart out there!

The Grass Stain Guru’s 10 Can’t Miss Childhood Moments:

1. Toasting a marshmallow on a stick, anxiously awaiting the sweet goo that is to come. Learning to master the perfect toasty brown color — equal parts art and science, in my book.

2. Wading in a creek – toes wriggling in the light current, knee-deep in fun. Looking under rocks for critters and sailing boats made of sticks.

3. Climbing a tree! The world has never been as beautiful as it looks from a perch in a glorious (and sturdy!) tree.

4. Catching fireflies on a warm summer night. Pure magic awaits! (Of course, be sure to let them go.)

5. Building a fort. Somewhere special, just for the kids. No kit houses required — just some sticks, bushes, maybe a tarp — and a lot of imagination.

6. Walking along the beach. Sand between the toes, chasing sand pipers and soaring like a gull. Building sand castles where they will be kings and queens. Collecting shells and sea glass. Salt-scented memories tucked away for later.

7. Planting a garden – the wonder and joy that will bloom there is without equal. No yard ? Look for a community garden near you or plant a container garden. Dirt = joy.

8. Walking in the woods. Listening to the birds. Looking for signs of wildlife. Making bark rubbings or collecting rocks. “Getting lost” in the layers of the land — from canopy to leaf litter — and in the layers of their imaginations, as well.

9. Sleeping out under the stars. A full camping trip or a simple night spent sleeping in the backyard. Stargazing. Telling stories — there is magic to be found under the stars on a warm night that can be found nowhere else.

10. Whistling with a blade of grass. Trust me — hours can be spent learning and mastering this skill. Kids will love the honks and wheezes they make along the way. And, once mastered, major bragging rights are afoot!

Out of 10, how many of the items on this list do you remember from your own childhood? I bet quite a few! Take a moment and let those memories drift to the surface. Feel the warmth of them and relish that for a moment.

Now, how many of these moments have the children in your world experienced so far? Enough? Could there ever be enough of these types of moments? Doubtful.

I hope that you will all take the time to re-capture the Can’t-Miss Childhood Moments in your world. There are still marshmallows to be toasted and grass whistles to be mastered, my friends!

Share these simple joys with the children in your world. After all, I don’t use the term “Can’t- Miss” lightly.

Now, if you will excuse me, I have am off to re-experience #11. What is it? Stick with me, and I will be sure to share.

See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru

photo credit: PaintingLF

“I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things… I play with leaves. I skip down the street and run against the wind.”

~ Leo Buscaglia

Thought I would take a minute so share this great video. Just a little more inspiration to get off the fast track and GO PLAY!

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

Snowball

by Shel Silverstein

I made myself a snow ball as perfect as could be.
I thought I’d keep it as a pet and let it sleep with me.
I made it some pajamas and a pillow for it’s head.
Then, last night it ran away.
But first — it wet the bed.

Woosh!

photo credit: lancefisher

The bear emerges from his den…

photo credit: lancefisher

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

photo credit: kamshots

Look out belowwwwwwwwwww!

Look out belo photo credit: kamshots

You’re mine!

photo credit: edenpictures

Here it comes!

He photo credit: edenpictures

I made him all by myself!!

photo credit: foilman

A little snow never stops imagination…

photo credit: Nanagyei

Mmmmmmmm — look what’s waiting…

h
photo credit: kevinmarsh

3 cheers for snow play!

Don’t let a little cold weather stop you. Bundle up and get out there! Reconnect with the joys of play and share them with the children in your world.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

“Many children today find it easier to stay indoors and watch television. I worry that children do not know what they are missing. Children cannot love what they do not know. They cannot miss what they have not experienced.”

- Mary Pipher, The Shelter of Each Other

photo credit: bestbib&tucker

As most readers know, I spend a lot of time talking about the many benefits of outdoor play and connecting children (and adults!) with nature.

But one of the benefits that I do not focus on frequently — although I believe to my very core — is its impact on our own behavior toward this beautiful planet we live on.

For children, this time in nature and connecting to its beauty and wonder is essential in helping them grow into caring, educated adults who understand that their individual and voting behaviors impact the planet and all the species that call it home, including their own.

Please take a few minutes to watch this powerful video on the call for a shift in our messaging about conservation efforts.

If you are a parent, grandparent, educator or caregiver, please make time in nature and celebrating its wonders a daily part of the lives of the children in your world. Not to teach them facts or because of a greater agenda, but simply to expose them to the opportunities that are waiting for them — to see, smell, touch, discover and marvel at.

The education will come in due time, but for now, the experience and the joy that awaits them is more than enough.

See ya outside! The Grass Stain Guru

You light up my life...

The stark realization has hit: It’s almost August. And the incredible summer days and nights we dream of most of the year are quickly passing us by.

GASP. I know.

So consider this a little Public Service Announcement from your friendly neighborhood Grass Stain Guru…

GO OUTSIDE & PLAY.

Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. No more excuses.

1. Catch fireflies
2. Run through the sprinkler or have a wet sponge fight
3. Roast the perfect marshmallow or challenge yourself to come up with a gourmet s’more recipe
4. Head to a nearby fishing hole.  Take a child who has never had the opportunity and watch their eyes light up.
5. Try geocaching
6. Have a watermelon seed spitting contest
7. Camp. Backyard, tree house or nearby county or state park — it doesn’t matter as long as you sleep outside
8. Eat a popsicle under a shade tree and play The Cloud Game
9. Find a nearby trail and hike when the sun is not too high — early in the morning or at dusk
10. _________________ (Use your imagination and share in the comments section! What’s your #10?)

When September comes and the kids head back to school and the summer light starts to fade, you will have such fond memories of time spent in the pursuit of play — and making the most of this gorgeous planet that we call home.

Trust me — this fact will make you happy. The end.

Don’t miss out. Mother Nature has something great waiting for you…

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

PS: And because it always reminds me of summer fun, a little They Might Be Giants. Sing along with me!

photo credit: AshBash!

Sharing nature with children is a wonderful way to get them excited about the wonders of wildlife, but is also one of the biggest blessings you can have in your own life.

My friend Karyl at Native Plant Wildlife Gardening describes it this way:

Today I watched a neighbor’s kids. We made toad houses and planted sunflowers and it was a treat for me. My garden does not look like much – it is too young yet but to see a habitat garden through the eyes of a child makes it amazing. There is a lot of life going on in my backyard, I’m just too used to it. Everything was WOOOOOOWWWW! to them. You know what, it is pretty WOW.

Yesterday I had a very important date–with my 4 year old neighbor Libby and her 2 year old sister Penny (and their mom, too).

They knew that I had seen the Eagles who for the first time ever, are nesting at John Heinz NWR, which is located in the shadow of the Philadelphia Airport. Their Pappy had also seen these Eagles, and they wanted very much to see them, too.

I packed up a pair of Bushnell 8 x 25 binoculars (perfect size for Libby’s little hands), an 8 x 25 monocular for Penny, and my spare binoculars for Mom and off we went on our grand adventure.

I was hoping that some Great Blue Herons would be wading near the bridge because large birds that stand relatively still are excellent for young children. We scoped out the bridge, but…..no Herons.

But Libby and Penny were unconcerned. We heard a big fish splash in the water, and it was so much fun to keep saying “SPLASH!”

We found a life size carving of a Bald Eagle and we spread our arms out to try to reach the tips of its wings, but we couldn’t because Eagles have verrrry biiig wings.

We made wishes on Dandelion seed heads, and got so silly laughing at the seeds flying everywhere.

We went down the “secret passageways” in the woods and amused ourselves by stomping across the little bridge to scare away the trolls.

It made us very happy to see the Mommy and Daddy Tree Swallows sitting together on top of their houses.

We giggled every time the Canada Geese said “honkhonkhonkhonkhonk” and we practiced saying that, too.

And we got to run, REALLY fast along the pathways.

We never did see the Eagle, but we sure did have fun!

How do you share nature with the kids in your life?

Guest blogger bio: My friend Carole Brown is a great writer, educator and photographer. Her site, Ecosystem Gardening is dedicated to teaching you to garden sustainably, conserve natural resources, and create welcoming wildlife habitat in your garden so that you will attract more birds, butterflies, pollinators, and other wildlife. You can follow Carole on Twitter @CB4Wildlife.

This week, Jane has us kicking it old school with The Cloud Game. Who doesn’t remember playing this as a child?!

Summer is the perfect time to dust off this long-time favorite. Use it as a way to rest during hikes or while running through the sprinkler. Younger children particularly are very intermittent movers — so having something fun to do while resting, like playing the cloud game, is the perfect way to keep the play going.

For a little extra fun, try DLTK’s Bluster the Cloud craft.

As your children get older, they can learn to identify clouds.

Let’s make this really fun and share pictures of the clouds that we spot. Email me pix and what you and your children decided they were, and I will post them next week.

See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru

Be sure to check out Jane’s site — Take a Walk Books! You can also follow her on Twitter @JaneKirkland.

photo credit: VoisineN