Fall, Beautiful Fall!

The trees are changing color, the sky clouding up and the temperature is fluctuating.  Fall has risen and it's a perfect time to discuss seasons with your kids.  Collect beautiful leaves, make things with them, draw them with your kids, welcome the abundant harvests, go to a local Farmer's Market and talk to your kids about the hard work that goes into producing food.  Ask the farmer's to explain what they have to do to get food from the earth to the market.  Make pumpkin, zuchinni, and other "breads".  Let them "stir" the batters, pour them, and eat them!  The melons are ripe and delicious ritht now, acorn squash can be almost as sweet and soft, and tree-ripened apples are just around the corner.  It's also a good time to talk about the importance of corn, cultivated by the Native Americans, in our world and give thanks to the Native cultures for sharing it with us.  That gift saved many lives and continues to be an important part of our world.  Let your kids know about the many contributions of Native cultures like corn, archery, basketry, pottery, games, and respect for the land and all of the critters who live amongst us, among other things.  Take the next few weeks to enjoy feeling the "chill" in the morning air, to watch the world transisition into winter and teach your children how important the seasonal changes are, the harvest is, and the pleasures of being alive!