Timberwolf Trail - Week 25 - 2019-20 Edition

A short but warmer than usual week started the transformation of snow into mud. And we loved it!

Though we got muddy, the thawing snow puddles allowed for a  quick and easy rinse.

We spent our outside time in exploration and play mode.

Timberwolf Trail - Week 24 & Retzer Experence #4 - 2019-20 Edition

It was a week for the birds. Our good friends from the Retzer Nature Center joined us as we learned about our feathered friends.

We heard a wonderful story about ways to identify different kinds of birds and then practiced using a poster of everyday birds.

We discussed owl features, learned about their adaptations, and investigated their pellets.

Looking to help our bird friends in a cold, bleak winter, we made bagel ornaments using lard and sunflower seeds.

We checked out different wing styles and feathers while learning how birds use them to get around.

Then it was time to head outside and place our bagel feeders out for the birds.

Speaking of bird friends, we have checked out our new eagle pair as they hopefully prepare their nest for eggs.

We then turned our attention to beaks and what birds eat.

But why read it and write about it when you can eat like a bird!

With nuts, seeds, fish, meat, insects, and fruit (sort of), we used different tools and practiced using different beaks to eat.

Time to play in the snow! We snowshoed around the entire trail and it was a workout.

We then decided to do some research using our "snow" tablets.

We played Stacking Snow and enjoyed a wonderful week of winter.

Timberwolf Trail - Week 23 - 2019-20 Edition

Day 100, Valentine's Day, and the coldest week of the year. What a combination!

We found a way to stay sane and enjoy the bright and blinding winter sun.

We looked for animal tracks while making many of our own. The kids loved trailblazing in the fresh blanket of snow.

This week, we also continued our collaboration with Children's Hospital of Wisconsin by hosting our Cookies for a Cause event. Families donated cookies and my kids sold them.

We enjoyed plenty of laughs, donated over $600 to a fantastic organization, and had plenty of sweet treats to enjoy.

When the wind chill was well below zero, we kept ourselves entertained inside. We used creative classroom materials to cross country ski around the classroom and added more to our growing igloo.

At the first chance to head back outside, we did.

Tyke Hike #72 - Hartland

It was an icy stroll, but 31 hiking enthusiasts made their way to Centennial Park in Hartland to trek the trail on a bright winter morning.

Starting off the hike with some natural play in an area that has been tremendously cleared by amazing volunteers over the past year or so, we enjoyed picturesque views of the Bark River, collected walking sticks, swung from some vines, and tossed snowballs into the water. We also had an important mini lesson on making sure to bop every blaze.

Unfortunately, the slippery and sloppy conditions didn't allow all our guests to make the entire trek but those that did make it to the end of our walk enjoyed the kid-titled duck party. Many, many mallards did their best to avoid us on our walk along the river, but we saw and heard them anyways.

The tykes did an awesome job in less than ideal hiking condiditons. I look forward to an even sloppier hike in March, though this time it will be on purpose. The first ever Mud Appreciation Hike will be on March 14th at 10AM on the Monches Segment, Hope to see you there!