A Sure Sign of Spring

In anticipation of the vernal equinox (and the pagan holiday, "Oestar"), last Tuesday we dug out some baskets and the kids planted wheat grass in them so that the grass would have time to grow before our celebration on March 20th. Even if the Earth doesn't cooperate and we end up with a fresh foot of snow on the first official day of spring, we'll at least have a taste of what's to come growing inside our house.

reaching for handfuls of seeds

adding water

We put a layer of potting soil in the bottom of the baskets (atop a plastic barrier), sprinkled the soil generously with wheat berries, and added some water. Then we made space on the kitchen plant shelf for the baskets so that they would get some sun.

the Oestar baskets nestled amongst the plants

While we had all of the materials out, I figured we also ought to
"springify" the process table.

It only took a few days before the grass began to sprout,
much to the boys' amazement and delight.

grass beginning to sprout


It is especially cool to get to see the root systems developing
through the clear plastic side of the process table.

I'm still working on what to put in the kids' baskets to surprise them on Oestar morning, but since they've enjoyed this planting process so much, I'm thinking of gifting them each a small pot with some seeds to plant. And ideally I'll have time to sew them each something small as well. Some hopeful reminder of what lies ahead.

On Friday when we were biking home from school (yes, biking!), we saw our first Robin of the season.

"Look!" I said to the kids, pointing, "a robin!"

And Jaz yelped excitedly, "a sure sign of spring!"

Surely, this long winter is finally coming to an end. And we will be ready and waiting when Spring officially begins.