Acorns

The children are always creating some new concoction outside from things they find in the yard, along the hedges or on walks.  The other morning whilst walking the neighbor's dog (a paying job of Kylie's), we decided to see how our local oak tree was coming along.  The kids enjoyed gathering up the acorns and planning how to use them.  We'll leave out some extra food for the squirrels this winter!

 

 

 

 

 

Nature Center

We visited our local nature center last week for a fun romp to see the critters and so the kids could bring in their nature finds for the Nature Exchange.  Shea had found a lizard skeleton below the tree in our yard and Kylie had collected [dead] cicadas in several forms.  The children have been banking points for some time and have accumulated quite a few!  Both decided to exchange some points for the first time today.  Shea chose a boar's lower jaw bone (why not, right?) and Ky a handful of interesting shells.  Kylie colored sand for a jar to display her shells once we returned home.  It was a lovely day!

Box turtle from the nature lesson

Nature Exchange

Excellent find

 

 

Butterfly

Kylie found an injured butterfly (well, she might have stepped on it, but it is unconfirmed as many children were running through the yard that day).  We discoved it was a Gulf Fritillary which is common to our area.  That same day we went to our local nature center and discovered the same type butterfly and many, many of its caterpillars of all sizes on a host plant.  Love when it all comes together! 


Nature Girl

Gulf Fritillary

 

On the scene with style

Newest Player

Wynn started his first season of soccer this past week.  I am one of his assistant coach which was great fun though it sorely limits my photo taking ability, especially of Kylie and Shea (but I will get shots of them in due time!).  Wynn had fun kicking the ball around and [mostly] doing his own thing, seemingly oblivious to the group sport happening around him!  He joined in here and there and started getting a bit of the idea of what the game is all about (and it is all about "having fun" when you are three!).

Joining the game

The Snake

Stopping the ball

Score!

Post Game Pass Out

In the garden with Shea

Shea and I did a little gathering the other day!  Love it!

 

 

 

from his own garden plot

 

 

 

 

Gramma Jamma

We had a wonderful, fun visit with Gramma Jamma.  No matter how long she stays, it never feels quite long enough!!!

Making pancakes

 

Grasshopper

A grasshopper stayed with us for a day or two.  It gave us a chance to learn more about our hoppy, songful friends.  The kids got to learn several interesting facts, watch it climb and see it upclose and personal (a little too personal if you ask Shea!).



a little too close for comfort!

Shea's nature journal page

close-up

 

Kylie's nature journal page



close up