Fairy Boats

With summer here, we are making Fairy Boats.  They are a Clara specialty, at a little creek ("ditch," per Jeff) close by our house.  We've gone there a few times on morning walks, or combined with a reading date.

Clara is in her element.  She's creative, consumed, particular, and in charge.  She finds a building station, under a tree.  Then she gathers parts: leaves, sticks, cotton from the cottonwood tree, flowers.  She makes sure if floats, but keeps it close to the dock.  Then she tests its strength and pulls it around with a scavenged rope.  When it survives the current, the experience is complete, and she bikes home with her head high.