It was a bright and sunny morning when the girls arrived, and waiting for them was a letter from our woodland friend, Finny the Fairy. In her note, Finny praised their teamwork from last week and encouraged them to notice the changes as summer shifts into fall. With curiosity sparked, the girls were eager to begin their day.

Free Play & Discovery

The mud kitchen drew them in right away. Chalk was crushed and mixed with water and salt, becoming the main ingredient in a series of recipes and potions. Negotiating turns—who pours, who stirs, who decides what goes in—gave them rich practice in problem solving and collaboration. One Earthkeeper carefully relocated a little “leaf bug” that had landed in her spoon, showing care and respect for the tiniest of creatures. Another proudly presented a tray of imaginative creations: pink rice, soup, sugar, and even a chalk-dusted cake.

Snack & Shared Curiosity

We moved inside the gym to avoid the wasps during snack. The girls found joy in comparing lunches, cheering when they discovered matching items. Afterward, books were pulled out and browsed together, their conversations bouncing from page to page. A closer look at a dead wasp led to fascinating observations—they could see the stinger!

Adventures at The Flats

Before heading off, one girl thought to check Finny’s mailbox again—good thing she did! A second letter described “shadow clocks” and challenged the girls to search for the tiny fairy versions hidden near The Flats. Following the map-like directions, they discovered them at the top of the hill, across from the Witch Tree, and even tried making their own.

Down by the river, we checked on the rabbit burrows, only to find them empty. Happily, our Seedlings group had spotted one of the young bunnies nearby just yesterday—proof they’ve grown enough to venture out on their own. Nets and buckets soon appeared, and the girls waded into the shallows, scooping up minnows. This time, we had reference guides from the Upper Thames Conservation Authority and identified shiners among their catches. Some Earthkeepers chose instead to climb trees, supporting one another with strategies to get down, while another turned her focus to caring for the land by picking up garbage.

Afternoon Gathering

Back at Heron Tree Estates, we paused once more to add to our shadow clocks before returning indoors for lunch. While eating, I began reading Charlotte’s Web, and the girls listened with rapt attention. Afterward, we headed outside and built a fire. Marshmallows were roasted, and curiosity led them to the garden, where they discovered ripe red peppers to try over the flames. Pancakes were also cooked, and the raspberry bushes were checked for jam—though only a few berries were ripe enough to snack on.

The rest of the afternoon unfolded in a swirl of play and relaxation: digging, swinging from the rope swing, resting in the hammock swing, and chatting around the fire. As the day closed, the girls wrote thoughtful letters back to Finny, reflecting on their discoveries and delights, before heading home.