This week I took Emma and Johnny to a trial karate class. They had zero interest in the karate portion of the class (although Emma did try kicking Johnny after we got home), but they were thrilled to get to make little Zen Gardens at the end of class. We brought their Zen Gardens home, where each child played with their gardens in their own special way. Any guesses as to which garden belonged to which child?
In fairness to Johnny, he originally had some larger rocks in his Zen Garden – and Emma did NOT have that many rocks in her Zen Garden when we got home.
I decided to act before things got completely out of hand. We mixed the garden contents with two of our containers of leftover colored rice to create Zen Garden I-Spy bottles.
This picture is of Johnny’s garden, because – as usual – Emma has hidden hers in one of her Secret Treasure spots. I’m guessing it’s under her bed, but I don’t want a picture enough to crawl under there!
MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
These are great… Hanna collects rocks everywhere we go, I bet she would love this. Just yesterday she put her hand in her coat pocket and looked up at me and said “I have rocks in my pocket”. :) What a great way to have a place to put them. :) Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Way to be creative with the Zen Gardens. And the “secret Treasure Spots” bit sure made me chuckle!
.-= Karin @ madebyk´s last blog ..These Shoes Were Made for Eating… =-.
too funny.
.-= Beverly´s last blog ..Sweet Jessie =-.
That’s so cute and funny!
You have the best ideas!
.-= Tracye´s last blog ..So Here’s My Sugar Piece for the Cake Show… =-.
This post made me laugh the whole way through!
Kicking, scattering, theft of small stones, and a great getaway… sounds like a martial arts film!
.-= Elisa | blissfulE´s last blog ..jam session =-.
I like the idea of creating Zen Gardens. Emma is so sweet to hide hers away in one of her treasure spots. My little girl has just started collecting bits and pieces and putting them in her treasure box.
We recently purchased some model magic and we love it. What a neat idea to use stamps to make a game – perfect to make a memory game to fit into a theme too.
.-= Elise´s last blog ..Creative fun with alfoil. =-.
What a good way to take care of the Zen Garden issue ;)
LOL on Johnny Zen garden! I think it’s an awesome idea in general – I might use it when we get to “travel” to Japan.
.-= Natalie´s last blog ..The School Corner – March 5, 2010 =-.