Fall doesn't slow us down

Ahhhhh.... waking up to fog, cool temperatures and such lovely colors bursting all around us! As usual for us, we're still exploring the outside as much as possible. Getting out in the rain or fog, enjoying some hot cocoa and hot soups. Fall is my favorite season indeed!

We enjoyed a happy afternoon in the pouring rain. I really appreciate that I can share my love of the rain with my kids. It's true - I think I liked it a lot more when I wasn't the mom trying to keep everyone warm, keep the mud off the floor or off the car, but still, rain holds a certain amount of appeal that I just must share with my littles. 

We've also spent mornings bundled up but determined none the less to enjoy being outside! 

The fog feels wonderful with a cup of hot something. I'm in the mood for cider!

With all this cool weather... we're enjoying soups a lot more. Yum!

Soup isn't the only thing we're enjoying.... I'm feeling in the mood to declutter my home! 

Look at all that SPACE .... and I really don't care at all to fill it. 

Sigh...... What's next? Hmm.. I think a day like today calls for fresh warm bread and some loud music dancing around my living room with kids. 

What's in the journal?

As previously posted, its obvious we have seen some awesome things every Tuesday! It's a weekly ritual that we have done for 6 weeks in the sun, heat, wind or in last weeks case.. rain!

What are we learning? That's easy. Ask my kids. Since you might not be near them at the moment... here is a peak into the amazing journal from my 5 year old :

We have had so much fun and learned so much this past month! 

Ready? Set. EXPLORE!

Ahhhhhhhh... I cannot believe over 6 weeks of 'school' has gone by. Where oh where did that time go? Well, every Tuesday has been absolutely fantastic in this house - or more accurately - not in the house at all! We are exploring nature as our science/community exploration curriculum this year.

I bought some great books that I read through to give me some ideas, but mostly, we just allow our children to explore and find their own wonder in life around them. 

Our school calendars reflect our adventures even.... 

So what exactly do we DO? Well.... first off, we come prepared. Our girls have back packs. Each of them is responsible for keeping their own lunch and water bottles, then for our walks we also have each of them with a journal and a pencil box each. The pencil boxes have crayons, scissors for trimming a leaf or two respectfully, and glue to glue in feathers, leaves and other debris they collect. It's perfect!

We usually try to be up and in the car by 9:30. It's actually worked out great!

Some of our best moments are explained best not by words, but photos.. 

I think Moose really thought he was going to catch a goose. 

Daunika learning about how to count how old a tree stump is. 

Even Declan has a nature journal. Why not? He absolutely participates right along with us in his own way!

A lot of the time is spent just sitting and writing, drawing, gluing feathers in this case. 

And well... more time is spent like this!

We've explored with friends and family...

And have seen some amazing peaceful animals... 

And have seen some pretty neat colored bugs! 

More in next blog post....... Part 2 coming!