The Nature of Children

August 30th, I could wait no longer, we pulled out the fall decor. Bring on apples, pumpkins, and changing leaves. I've read they expect the color this year to be the best in recent history......Blue Ridge Parkway is on the top of our 'must do' list! This week we also went to a nature center we haven't visited before. It was a really fun morning with the kids! They enjoyed playing and exploring the center and then we went for a real hike. The trail was rough and it was up and down hills in the woods in 94 degrees for a mile. It took us almost an hour, but Isaiah made it for all but about 20 paces and the big kids did great! I love seeing them enjoying the outdoors.

 A mantle is the single best place to display seasonal decor, in my opinion!

 Becca's artwork....I was impressed, this took her all of five minutes to whip up.

 Thursday morning turned into a sensory/science morning with water beads, vinegar, baking soda, and finger paints.

 Isaiah's reaction to see the vinegar hit the baking soda was priceless.

 Why not go all in and get the messiness done in a single setting, right?

 Latta Nature Preserve

 Kids play area...with a "Bob the Digger Tree House" ( Isaiah loves Bob the Builder episode about tree houses)

 Vines and ropes for swinging through the trees.

 More fun in the woods.

 Rocking climbing wall.

 Anyone for tea?

 Need I tell you how impressed he was with the box of snake skin?

Levi was impressed with the 'swimming turtle'. We also saw little blue tailed skinks

 running around outside.

 Isaiah faithfully toted his emptied gatorade jug with him to collect sweet gum balls, which he refers to as popcorn.

Big sister to the rescue when little lets gave out....this only lasted a few paces, but it was enough to refresh him so he could trudge onward.

 Self-proclaimed leader for the day and his trail map.

 Pointing at the wrong things, but he has confidence in himself. ;)

Beautiful woods.

School Projects

Rebecca had her first ever piano lesson on Tuesday. She has been enthusiastically practicing and doing her theory exercises all week! I've been glad to have a keyboard in the house again too! Its been almost a decade since I've played regularly....but I'm getting back in the groove!

After three weeks of trying to keep Levi occupied while working with Rebecca I caved and invested in a new pre-k program. Its much more hands on than even Rebecca's pre-k was.....and he LOVES it! Notice those giant test tubes and magnifying glass?! 

Paper mache wigwams, anyone?

 You know that melted crayon between wax paper craft every young kids does......WHY?! Isaiah stuck his hand right in the way and got a nasty burn! ;(

Isaiah is still at an age where a single task can keep him busy for a while.....drawing circles on paper usually takes up half our school time. Here he is sorting his colors. Yesterday it was a challenge, but today he did it properly without help! 

One of the cool gizmos in Levi's curriculum was Bambino Luk....a logic skills game with movable tiles, books full of teasers, and its self correcting! Its cool!

My little think tank.

 Powhatan Indians, Tepees, and a Wigwam.

Baskets to keep all this fun organized! It might look like a bunch of books, but believe me there is more action and projects  to our days than you would imagine!

My Father's World

Third week of school in the books and the first family field trip. We fit in a nature walk again this week with some sketching and craft time in the woods. Spotted the first changing leaves! It will be a while yet before we feel autumn temperatures, but the sight was encouraging. Friday Aaron took off work so we could visit Wilmington, NC. A Spanish Galeon replica ship was docked at the marina and I wanted Rebecca to see it! It is an exact copy of the ships in Captain Menendez's fleet that brought 2000 settlers to begin St. Augustine Florida. We've also covered Leif's discovery of northern Canada, Columbus's claiming of present day Cuba and Haiti, and the English settlement of Jamestown, VA. Rebecca seems to really have her imagination sparked by all this history and I couldn't be happier! Also this weekend we met some friends for a pizza picnic in the park in honor of our newly turned eight year olds.
       

 This park is next to the train track and Isaiah just LOVES watching the trains!

 First leaves of Fall

 WWJD bracelet craft.

 Port City Marina

 Imagine climbing this rigging!

 Nicest room....the captain's room.

 The metal hull is not quite accurate, but the rest was cool!

 The kids want this pink boat.

 Checking out the beach because the boat tour wasn't actually that long.....20 min?

 Right in the face....they came up gagging on the taste of sea water.

 Just letting the waves wash over him.

 Pizza picnic party in the park.

 Two eight year olds to celebrate.

 He won't play in the splash pad, because he wants the train so badly!

 Levi saying 'hoo hoo'.

 Isaiah saying 'chugga hoo hoo'

 They can't leave without ringing the bell.

 the 'train station' at Village Park