Living So Much Outdoors: day 20

Here's something for this Alaska Girl to truly appreciate--living so much of life outdoors.

Although we definitely spent more than our fair share of time outdoors in Alaska, weather usually wasn't real conducive to regular day-to-day outdoor living for us. We tended toward getting what needed to be done indoors first, and then suiting up for some outdoor time.  Here we are, heading out on a hike nearly 2 years ago this week. 

What an absolute joy it is for us this fall, to incorporate so much outdoor time into daily life, whether it be chores, education, meals, art, or hang-out time.

We have discovered the particular pleasure of having a back porch, coupled with lovely, mild weather to enjoy it every day.   We eat meals and celebrate birthdays on the porch.  We breathe the fresh morning air while getting some snuggle time in.

 

It's a wonderful place for bird watching and bug watching, and can be a thrilling place for storm and shower watching.  It's also a magical place for an evening cup of tea.

We're avid readers, and I tell you, it's hard to beat a back-porch hammock with sweet breezes flowing through for a reading nook.

Furthermore, the back porch is a great place to

simply.  just.  be. 

As blissful as back porch time can be, sometimes, you just need more sun, with your toes in the grass.  This is why we've done our fair share of homeschooling outdoors this fall.  We particularly love to do this in the dappled sunshine, under a shade tree.

 I find myself willing and able to do a lot of the messier experiments and projects, which I normally would have passed up in Alaska.  We would pass them up, not due to lack of interest, but because of logistical roadblocks.  An example of this would be, creating a model of the Nile and then overflowing the banks a couple times per week in order to make the banks flourish and grow.  It just doesn't work well in 20-30 degree weather in October.

So for now anyway, we will enjoy our in-and-out, out-and-in lifestyle in the South.  We'll swing in the hammock, pad through the warm grass on a sunny fall day, and grow our Nile River banks, while God-willing we'll grow and thrive ourselves. 

And we'll give thanks.  Lots of thanks.

Click here for other posts in this series.

Art Therapy

The last couple of months in Boyland have been less than typical, but then what is typical for us, anyway?!  Still dealing with, and frustrated over health issues and illness in a few of us...but also resting in the fact that we're doing what we can and trusting God to give wisdom and healing in His good time.  With friends struggling with cancer in husband and cancer in children, I really cannot complain.

I.   really.  cannot. complain.

This is true, and we count our many blessing, yet we still find ourselves in a bit of a funk lately.  Our schedule has been turned somewhat upside-down, with needing to run for several appointments per week.  The dandy schedule I was so in love with of (sing along with me...) ...morning routines, breakfast, morning chores, lessons, lunch, tot naps, afternoon lessons....has fallen apart, and we all find ourselves with a hefty case of spring fever on the side.  The Picky Monster has also crept in a bit.  Do you know him?  He manifests in brothers picking on brothers, and brothers being reluctant to show grace toward brothers, and mother playing Army Sergeant to said brothers, and subsequently, brothers AND mother in picky, malcontent.  I've been fighting against this Monster all week, praying all throughout the day, and singing this song at the top of my lungs at times to keep my mouth from saying anything less...umm...holy.

"LORD HAVE MERCY!" 

This morning as I dragged myself bounced out of bed and began to pray and prepare for the day, I decided we needed to ditch the other lesson plans and roll out some art supplies. We've been reading Holling C. Holling's Pagoo (LOVE Holling!!) and so I thought a hermit crab project was in order.  Luddite that I tend to be, I do love the internet when it comes to needing a quick project idea.  I found a great blog for art projects, and chose a modified version of this project.

My boys dig art.  They really do, even though Spunky Cub doesn't look like it in this photo!  And, as we happily waded through paper, paper plates, sponges, poster paints, chalk, and watercolors, I was asking myself WHY have I not done this more with my boys this year?!  Per the boys' delightful, pleasant conversation, you can see we had some serious Art Therapy goin' on:

"Oh look!  He's using all dots!  That's like Monet!  

"Oh no....not Monet, he used watercolors...you're thinking Niebrugge."  

"Ohhhh yes...Niebrugge. 

"You guys?  When I grow up I'm gonna have a whole room just for ALL my art stuff."

"You mean like an art studio?"

"YES!  I'm gonna have an art studio."

"HEY GUYS!  We should see if Mommy & Daddy would take us clamming this spring!"

(insert chorus of YES!!!)

"I just LOVE doing this.  I just want to learn as much as I can about sea creatures.  I mean, I just always spend my time studying about all sorts of historical figures..but I really should also spend some of my time learning  about sea creatures."

I do believe I saw the Picky Monster, bags packed, heading out the back door.

The coolest thing about doing projects, is that while we're all using the same materials, and following the same instructions, we get such wonderfully different results.  LOVE THAT.

So as you can see, my wonderful husband was right when he responded to one of my recent please- help-me-gain-my-sanity-e-mails: "Remember Scarlet Jessica, tomorrow is another day.  The sun will be shining, the snow melting…." 

Those Who Don't Know History Are Doomed to Repeat It

...Eaglet just chooses to repeat it in order to learn it! Experiential learner he is (and quite artistic too.) This year he has learned about:

The Statue of Liberty (using various media)


The Old Testament Israelites

The Titanic

The White House

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Native Americans

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And here's my personal favorite:

Guess who?! Tragedy this photo was taken before he made a wig out of white felt and cotton balls. The coolest thing about all this, is that not one of these subjects or activities was my idea. This is just what happens in the life of a home-schooled, six-year-old boy. Love it.

Shipbuilder Eaglet

We've got one seriously into anything maritime over here. He's been building the Titanic in our living room for two weeks! We've read everything Titanic we can get our hands on. Anyone have good book suggestions about shipwrecks or other maritime adventures? One thing I'd particularly like to find is a good children's book about Paul's shipwreck.

It takes a little bit of bravery...

...to allow finger paint into the house.

Recently in Boyland....

Two boys very proud over their volcano experiment (we're studying the planet Venus.)
Introducing: Secret Agent "Shower"
One adorable THREE-year-old
This THREE-year-old loves hockey....

Doing a Little Blog Catch-up

As you can see, the boys were very proud of their "rock pals". They made these the week Daddy was out-of-state for work. Never mind that was during the month of May. Per the title of this post, I've got some catching up to do!

Project Learning Tree

Thought I'd share a couple video clips from our recent two-day field trip. We learned about uses for and parts of trees, and also tapped a birch tree and collected/measured 24-hour sap output. We finished the experience off with birch syrup on icecream--YUM. > My Recent Shots






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Edible Culture Study

Last week we finished up our Jewish Culture study. We baked Challah, traditional Jewish bread. Here the boys are getting ready to eat their Challah, along with some apples. This is traditional to the Jewish celebration of Rosh Hashanah.

First Day for Our First Grader and Pre-Schooler!

Back to work in our little one-room schoolhouse! We began yesterday, and once again, we're so thankful to be able to homeschool. The boys really love being back into the routine, and it's amazing what they've learned in only 2 days. As expected, the biggest challenge is keeping Spunky Cub, AKA "Toddler in All His Glory", busy. He was a little put-out at his older bros being so busy...and did try a few...ahem...antics...to gain our attention. Never fear--I pulled out the ol' Bean Pit.

If any of you fellow homeschoolers are looking for a way to keep your busy toddlers engaged in constructive play during school, this is it. A friend of ours gave us her extra one, and it is a gem. As you can see, Spunky made himself right at home in this indoor "sand box." Just find a large rubbermaid, fill it with dry beans, add a few sand toys and--wallah! Instant fun. So what's on the agenda for our little scholars this year? First Grader Eaglet is continuing with his Reading, Handwriting, and Math. The little stinker is reading at 4th grade level and LOVES books. We've added in Grammar and Spelling, and we'll be focusing on ancient world history this year. His favorite subject, by far, is Science. He works very hard to finish his other work so he can get to his Science, and he's VERY excited about the human body unit coming up.



Eaglet has begun "official pre-school"! What a big boy he has become. He loves having his own desk and school supplies. He's working on letters and phonics, "pre-writing", and "beginning math reasoning" skills. He loves reading books, particularly anything to do with TRUCKS. If it has nothing to do with trucks, he'll make up a truck-related storyline to go along with it. These boys are a joy; it's an absolute privilege to be their teacher (not to mention their mommy!)