Mid-Week Retreat

This particular Wednesday was a hard one for our family...mostly this mama... Kevin took off work an hour early and we packed a picnic.  There are 2 state parks quite near to each other and we frequent one and only go to the other every few years.  We thought we'd try the less frequently visited one.  We did find a quiet parking lot to picnic near, but the hiking areas were packed.  So, we started at one park and headed to the other.

Forgot to get a pic of our picnic view until we were in the van about to head to the next park...

Off the main trail hiking has been our specialty before the mosquitos reign.  :)  Found some trees to climb in and hills to roll with.

Just before we returned to our van, we pulled off the trail for others to pass.  Then we decided to stay a while and draw in our nature journals.  It was a lovely evening.  Yes, it took the whole of it for this mama to lighten up, but it worked!  God is good!!

Day 5 of 4-Day School Week

We try to work on a 4-day school week around our house.  Some weeks it works and we stay focused.  This school year my goal is to have an park/nature day as our 5th day.  So, we'll get up and do some chores (maybe some math, because why mess with morning routines?), snack and Bible time, then we'll try to get out of the house and to a nature area.  State Parks, city parks, backyards, sledding hills, hiking trails....hopefully we'll meet up with friends...and draw/record something from nature.  So, today we started.  

Mn is just starting Kindergarten.  So, while I was mixing up some muffins this morning, he got out a white board and we had some number fun!  One through 5 are my main focus right now, but we've been reading lots of number books up to 10+.  He's recognizing the single digits and starting to write some!  Yeah!  

Today, was the start of a series of outdoor homeschool classes that our community offers for free!  Kayaking and canoeing.  I brought the kids to class and a friend met me for a walk around the nature area.  Beautiful day and the kids had a great time.  When my friend and I got to the pond to watch L was on the shore helping kids in and out of the boats.  After a bit, she did go in.  Mn was in the canoe with his teacher, literally rocking the boat!  He did sit and paddle as well (forward and backward - pretty steady canoe), but I decided that I may never ride in a canoe with him!!  He's learned some canoing shenanigans from Okee Dokee Brothers!!

It was about noon when they finished and we picnicked in the park "backyard" and drew in our nature journals.  Here's L finishing up her drawing and here's the flower she drew.

As the finale, we stopped at the library and grocery store.  Now, I'm waiting for my wedding cake replicas to bake while the kids are having some quiet time upstairs.  Apparently, Mn fell asleep on the recliner...oh, and I hear Kevin arriving home.  

We Followed Through - Nature Journal

So, here our the first drawings of our nature journals!  Thanks for checking back.  ;)  

Also, can anyone identify this vine in our yard?  Closest we could figure was noxious weed or grape...Bumpa?  Any ideas?