We're Back! Did You Miss Us? :)

Wow! It's been a L-O-N-G time since we updated this blog! There have been some cha-cha-cha-changes here at Cantigny that we need to catch you up on. The original blogger, Jennifer, has moved on to a new teaching position and while we miss her, we are excited for her new opportunity! The Education Department of Cantigny now consists of the dynamic duo of Jill and Jenny! Together we teach and coordinate children and adult classes, programs, and special events.

Jill has been with Cantigny for three years and is the Education and Volunteer Coordinator.  She has a degree in Elementary Education from Miami University (Ohio).  When she's not teaching, Jill is busy training for the triathlons that she regularly participates in.  She also likes cooking and makes a famous chocolate chip banana bread! Yum!

Jenny just started at Cantigny in June and is the Education Program Assistant.  She has a degree in Elementary Education from Northern Illinois University (go Huskies! ). When she's not teaching, Jenny loves to knit and is always working on a project! She learned how to knit in a class at Cantigny- sign up today! :)

We both enjoy getting to know the wonderful families that we meet in our classes.  We enjoy teaching classes that peak curiosity and appreciation of the natural world, and what better place to hold class then on the beautiful grounds of Cantigny! We are lucky to come here everyday!

So, now that you know us a little better we hope that you will follow us and tell your friends about us! We promise to update frequently!

Build a Snowman- Indoors!

With feet of snow on the ground, it's hard not to think about all things snow--- sledding, skiing, snow-shoeing, snow angels and snowballs....and of course SNOWMEN!

Prior to Snowapalooza, my neighborhood had a few of these friendly Frostys standing proud in various front yards. It's always such fun to see how creative children can get with their snow-people. Most donned the tried and true hat and scarf combo and a few had mittens or gloves on the ends of their skinny stick arms. I remember a winter growing up when my sister and I dressed our snowman in a Hawaiian shirt and our snow lady in a nightgown- what a well dressed couple they were, waving to the passersby!

I'm not too sure our odd couple would have been as easy to make this past week. While the four foot drifts made for excellent snow forts and climbing hills, the heavy snowfall made actual snowman building a challenge. BUT, that doesn't mean you and your children can't build a snowman...just do it inside!

Here are a few simple steps- with simple supplies- to make your own melt-free, mess-free snowman!

What you need:
liquid white glue (like Elmer's), non-menthol shaving cream (inexpensive works best!), mixing bowl, spoons, construction paper or cardstock and scissors


What you do:

Cut out a few small snowman accessories from the construction paper or cardstock- a hat, scarf, little black circles for coal, a carrot nose etc- be creative, maybe your snowman will have hair or wear a necklace! Also, consider looking for a few small sticks for arms- or cut them out of paper. Set these aside.

In a bowl, mix equal parts liquid white glue and shaving cream. Mix until soft peaks form and all the glue (be sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl) is well mixed in.





With a spoon, make the first -and largest- ball of the snowman's body by scooping up a generous heap of the mixture and "plopping" it onto the construction paper or cardstock- dark colored paper works best. Use the spoon to push the mixture into a round circle- add more as needed. Do this twice more to add the other circles- completing the snowman's body.



While the mixture is still wet, gently add the accessories by setting them in place and gently pushing them onto the mixture. No glue is needed because the glue is IN the mix!


Embellish your picture by adding snow on the "ground", or using your fingertip to add snowflakes.



When finished, lay your picture flat somewhere where it won't be bothered for a few hours- preferably overnight. When your picture is dry there will be no dark wetness marks on the back of the paper and if you gently touch the "snow" it will spring back when you lift your finger. AND- the best part is, when your picture is dry, it will still be PUFFY! Your snowman will be 3D! How cool is that?
Enjoy making a family of these fluffy, puffy snowmen. (pssst...also makes great sheep and ghosts...)

Snow Cool!

Who said snow has to be white?? (ok, ok... please hold your yellow snow comments...)

Snow can be a rainbow of colors! Fill up a few squirt bottles with water dyed with food coloring or liquid watercolor paint (be sure it is non-toxic!) and send your children out to liven up your yard!

Squirters can write their names in the snow, make a painting on snowplow mounds or add colorful details to a snowman. What fun!

Makin' a Stink!

During a recent "nature treasure hunt" with preschoolers here at Cantigny, the youngsters scampered around the prairie and trees surrounding our beautiful new Education Center, happily picking up leaves, bark, nuts and petals to fill their bags. They ran up and down the paths around the building- darting in to the grass when something caught their eye. They covered most of the ground around the building, all the while giving a wide berth to the row of ginkgo trees.

While intrigued by the cool fan shaped leaves and the height of these great trees, they all acknowledged the same fact..."These trees STINK!", and avoided them like the plague.

"It smells like puke over here!", "Peeew!" and "UGH! What is THAT smell?" were shouted as the treasure hunters passed the ginkgoes.

The short, 4 year old friendly, answer is "The smell comes from the seeds of the ginkgo tree. They have a strong smell don't they? (smile)"

These seeds, affectionately called "stink balls" or "puke balls", are not only scattered outside the Education Center, put also across a staff parking lot in the park. I have to laugh as I look out my window and see that NO cars are parked in the three spots nearest the ginkgo tree. It only takes driving over the seeds once, and getting them stuck in your tire treads- or heaven forbid, stepping on them- and driving home with the smell of vomit in your car to realize you shouldn't park near the tree in October!

BUT, each fall, I also observe park visitors gathering up these horridly stinky seeds! WHY??!! I couldn't image why anyone would want a bag full of stink, so I did some investigation. Knowledge is power.

Ginkgo seeds contain butanoic acid (also known as butyric acid) which is also found in butter, Parmesan cheese and well...puke. Who's hungry! :} The smell really lets loose once the seeds have fallen...and especially when they have been run over by novice parkers.

Okay...so now we know why they smell. WHY do people want them??

The seeds are actually a traditional Chinese food. (Ginkgo is the national tree of China!) Ginkgo nuts (the hard part inside the stinky seed coat) are used in many dishes, and are often served at special occasions. In Chinese culture, they are believed to have health benefits, and even aphrodisiac qualities. (ugh.) The fleshly seed coat is not recommended for eating due to ginkgotoxins which can cause seizures. Yikes!

I know I had heard of ginkgo being used as a memory enhancer- you've seen those ginkgo biloba pills in health food stores etc right? Well, those attributes mainly come from extracts from the LEAVES- not the seeds. There is a LOT of info out there about ginkgoes being used for medicinal purposes, so I have included this fact sheet from the Department of Health to give you the basics.

So, stinky story short....yep, it DOES smell like puke by this tree. But, stand upwind and just appreciate the tree for it's natural beauty. And, if you are so inclined, pull on some gloves (please), pick up a few seeds and explore them yourself.