Nature Study

It had two weeks since our last visit because we were all traveling last week. The leaves were falling the last visit so we didn't know what to expect and almost didn't come. This is why a "charlotte mason" method of nature study should be done each week. We were in for a surprise.  I feared that the park would be depressing, knowing the leaves would be gone. 

Instead we could see to the very tops of the hills and lowest parts of the valleys. There was no foliage in our sight paths.  It was really interesting. We saw lots of life, including people. We knew there were paths all over but never saw people up in the hills until today. 

AT first we thought the deer were gone but we found two hanging out near the elk. 

We saw lots of animals. The elk seam to be calmer and more separated.

We saw some here, some there and even two by themselves. 

Geese were not in the pond but walking around tighter.

The Bisson were all together around the middle sized body of water. 

I love two things about the above picture! One is that Miss Brenda is joining us each week. She is enjoying this as much as we are. One of us drives and then the other does internet searches when we have questions. We are learning so much.

Check out all the ducks, they were all over the bigger lake. They were so small in the pictures but covered the body of water. We also saw a beautiful woodpecker with a red head. No rabbits and no squirrels. The temperature was a warm 73 degrees and it was windy. 
 

Nature Study

Fall seams to be a great time to see activity around the lake. The elk are still in mating season, so they are everywhere and found in groups of mostly cows with one bull.

The leaves were hanging on to the trees but some were bare. 

It was fun to drive around the bodies of water and to see the pops of color.

All while noticing the elk, bison, deer hiding just out at the edge of the trees. 

The best part is these two. Twin Beautiful - Twin Mallorie.

I love that color. And it would be surprising just around the corner each turn. We saw no turkey but we saw lots of squirrels. The temp was 65 degrees. It was a beautiful afternoon to drive around the park. 
 

Nature Study

Dinning Room, School and Puzzles

I am hoping that you all notice that the dinning room has been redone. The table, chairs, hutch and church bench have all been re-stained. I am loving this so much. Our stuff now looks very classy.  Our dinning room is still a very used room in our home. School work and the time killing puzzles all center around the over used room. 

Today the twins got a very special thank you note from Monsignor from ICD for the notes that they have been making for the priest.

Look at how cool that table looks, when this lock down is over - I will miss my kiddos being around all the time but I will have a wonderful dinning room and beautiful new kitchen table.

Learning - Covid or Homeschooling Style

Twin Beautiful

Twin Adorable

There has been lots of screen time during this time.  These two are both good at starting their school work and then getting distracted. I love that they are often wrapped up near me while working on their school work.

Learning About Mixed Drinks

Beautiful table and benches to use enable us to move on to new activities. We decided that as long as no one was ill and we had another kiddo turning 21 within days, we would take the opportunity of a lock down to sample different mixed drinks. I was pregnant when I turned 21 and never really drank at all. I tolerate a beer every now and again but I don't enjoy it. I wanted to learn about he mixed drinks. I hate not knowing what something is when I am looking at a drink menu in a restaurant. It isn't like the 16 year old waitress can tell me which one is fruity and which one is sour. We are now learning. 

Sugar even made a chart to help us keep track of what we liked and what we didn't like. The younger ones are trying them without alcohol.

I am learning a lot. We are also learning that the extra things that are in recipes are what really make the drinks. having a lemon makes it taste better, etc. How are you spending your Covid Lockdown time?

Another Bro Matthew

Days are simple around her.  The kids are off doing their school work while the older kids are away at college classes and jobs. 

This arrived in the afternoon.  This is a beautiful new Bro Matthew.

Casual School Time

Homeschooling has its great moments and it’s not so great moments. Motivation is a little harder at home because often it has to come from within. Great training for the real world. Here Jumba is either antagonizing or incentivizing Twin Adorable as she works through her math he is “rewarding her/or punishing her with a big brother kiss on the cheek!”  I love the sibling time on Monday mornings.

Homeschool Begins As We All Do Our Schoolwork

I won't make us start without a little fun.  I bought home the best donuts around to kick off our day in the right way.  (At least yelling that I have donuts will help ge them out of bed, lol.)

Bagel

Jumba

Twin Beautiful in grey shirt

Twin Adorable in colorful dress

Pickle is around doing his college work and wearing odd hats.

School with this crowd. It never looks the way we think it should but it is good, none the less.

Another school year off and running, who knows where this year will take us!