At first glance what appears to be a tree full of dying leaves
Upon closer inspection is
Nature's paint brush
Migration, alive, up close
Beautiful
Stopping only briefly as they continue their journey south
© 2008 Wicked Pickles-Homefront Lines
Showing posts with label Nature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nature. Show all posts
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Unschooling?
After reading the comments from my last post, I am not sure what we have been doing can really be considered "unshooling". But since it lacks texts, seat work and an overall plan envisioned by me it resembles what I conceive "unschooling" to be. Summer Fae, I guess, stated it best as "relaxed schooling". What ever the word, that's what we are continuing to do, at least until next week.
I know I don't have the "trust" (isn't that terrible?) to let the picklets take their education into their own hands. I really hate to admit that, it breaks my heart. The days would be filled with Pokemon, Yughio, casting spells, jumping on the trampoline and rough housing. Nothing, that I perceive as learning, would get done. Granted I do believe that there is logic and math in the Pokemon and Yughio games. Looking up spells on the computer, copying and pasting would be considered computer skills. Jumping on the trampoline is practicing gymnastics and rough housing could be considered PE. But, I fear my kids just won't learn the basics (math and spelling). They lack focus. Might be the way they are built, our parenting technique or sheer laziness. However it came about, they lack focus.
That being said, here is what we did on our "relaxed/eclectic/unschooling" day yesterday:
- We went on a nature walk: found a bird skull and downy feather
- the picklets looked at the "natural wonders" they found under the microscope: this is what a redish yellow leaf looks like under the scope
- Chip worked on the map he is making of our town
- Dill continued reading Harry Potter
- Chip started reading Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp
- Sweet checked her email and wrote in her blog
- practiced piano
- Dill and Sweet practiced the recorder
- went to the library, got books, played on computer (Neopets)
- jumped on the trampoline
- Dill and Chip practiced casting spells and looked for new wands that "called" to them
- daily chores
- worked on the Think! project
- Dill sketched an apple
- watched Vice Presidential debate
- Dill make campaign posters for his candidate
- talked about our lack of focus, behavior, attitude and steps to changing the parts that need to be changed
Sweet snapped this picture of corn roots
While walking through the park Gracie found a squirrel
© 2008 Wicked Pickles-Homefront Lines
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
The Last Day of September 2008
Cool has taken the last few days off work to continue the siding project from last fall. It is a long process when it is a one man operation. I helped most of the afternoon being a gopher and holding things up as he measured. The finished product is going to be fantastic. I just hope it gets done before the snow flies. 
While working on the garage, I looked over and saw a patch of white on the lilac bush. I went over to see what got stuck in the branches and to my surprise I saw we had lilacs! Very strange to get them this time of year, but I will take it! The smell fantastic.
As the sun keeps going down earlier and earlier, I snapped this shot. I love the way it shines on ours and the neighbors house like hot flames. 
The sunset was perfect. All sorts of oranges, pinks, purples, reds and yellows.
It was a pretty busy day but we accomplished a bunch and got to enjoy a perfect fall day in the process.
While working on the garage, I looked over and saw a patch of white on the lilac bush. I went over to see what got stuck in the branches and to my surprise I saw we had lilacs! Very strange to get them this time of year, but I will take it! The smell fantastic.As the sun keeps going down earlier and earlier, I snapped this shot. I love the way it shines on ours and the neighbors house like hot flames. The sunset was perfect. All sorts of oranges, pinks, purples, reds and yellows.
It was a pretty busy day but we accomplished a bunch and got to enjoy a perfect fall day in the process.© 2008 Wicked Pickles-Homefront Lines
Sunday, September 28, 2008
A Wonderful Afternoon Enjoying Nature
Thursday of last week we had lunch with my mom and dad. After we ate Sweet and I took a walk down by the lake. The way she looks at nature amazes me. She definitely has a love of nature that I did not have at that age.
On the way back, Sweet took this picture. Shadows are great, aren't they?
While walking down there this leopard frog jumped out at us.
Across the lake were these trees. I kept looking for more mystery letters so they would actually spell something.
Down at the dock there were zillions of spider webs. This has to be my favorite picture. I love the spider being there.
Always on the look out for more frogs
Sweet found this.
It was HUGE. After watching it for what seemed like hours, Sweet figured it was dead and poked it with a stick. It wasn't dead! Off it went in the lake. She never did find it again.
Across the lake were these trees. I kept looking for more mystery letters so they would actually spell something.Down at the dock there were zillions of spider webs. This has to be my favorite picture. I love the spider being there.Always on the look out for more frogsSweet found this.It was HUGE. After watching it for what seemed like hours, Sweet figured it was dead and poked it with a stick. It wasn't dead! Off it went in the lake. She never did find it again.On the way back, Sweet took this picture. Shadows are great, aren't they?
© 2008 Wicked Pickles-Homefront Lines
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
First Day of Autumn
We took advantage of the great weather and celebrated the first day of fall by having a late breakfast on the patio. We had cinnamon toast, milk and fresh picked Iowa plums.
At 10:44, the official start of fall, we had a "Happy Fall" toast.
After eating we went over similies and each wrote an Autumn similie poem. I used this lesson plan as my guide.
The picklets then gathered leaves to make a border on our papers. Using tempera paints, the kids learned which leaves print well and which leaves don't. They wrote their poems on their decorated paper.
At 10:44, the official start of fall, we had a "Happy Fall" toast.After eating we went over similies and each wrote an Autumn similie poem. I used this lesson plan as my guide.The picklets then gathered leaves to make a border on our papers. Using tempera paints, the kids learned which leaves print well and which leaves don't. They wrote their poems on their decorated paper. We finally made it back in the house a little after noon. The morning was filled with Mother Natures songs, a nice breeze, blue skies and family. It was definately a great way to bring in the fall cheer and get ourselves in the Autumn festival mood.
© 2008 Wicked Pickles-Homefront Lines
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Fresh Iowa Grapes
Yesterday the picklets and I got to pick grapes. Oh, how I love those concord grapes. From the fragrance I that hits my nose the minute I stepped in the backyard to the way the slimy inside reminds me of an eyeball as it slides down my throat.
We brought home about 10 lbs of the lucious wonders.
I juiced some up to make jelly with as soon as I get myself some pectin. I then decided to make a grape pie. I made mother of the year for this baby. It may not be pretty but I bake a mean pie.
The filling was a bit looser than I like but the crust was crispy and the fruit taste exploded in your mouth. Dill has informed me he will eat it again for breakfast and asked if we could go pick more this weekend.
It is definately tempting.
© 2008 Wicked Pickles-Homefront Lines
We brought home about 10 lbs of the lucious wonders.
I juiced some up to make jelly with as soon as I get myself some pectin. I then decided to make a grape pie. I made mother of the year for this baby. It may not be pretty but I bake a mean pie.The filling was a bit looser than I like but the crust was crispy and the fruit taste exploded in your mouth. Dill has informed me he will eat it again for breakfast and asked if we could go pick more this weekend.It is definately tempting.© 2008 Wicked Pickles-Homefront Lines
Hummingbirds
Man, they are fast little boogers. The look like little spirits.
© 2008 Wicked Pickles-Homefront Lines
© 2008 Wicked Pickles-Homefront LinesWednesday, September 3, 2008
Labor Day Weekend Day 5
Monday morning brought packing up and going home but I couldn't not share this beautiful sunrise with you.
© 2008 Wicked Pickles-Homefront Lines
Happy Trails~~~
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Horse Hair Nest
While visiting my friend Miss Crisp, I stumbled upon this treasure. 
A hummingbird nest made (almost) completely out of horse hair just laying in the middle of the driveway on the way to the barn.
Being the good homeschooling parent that I am, I just had to bring it home for further inspection. 
It is a beauty!
A hummingbird nest made (almost) completely out of horse hair just laying in the middle of the driveway on the way to the barn.Being the good homeschooling parent that I am, I just had to bring it home for further inspection. It is a beauty!©2008 WickedPickles-Homefront Lines
Monday, July 14, 2008
World Lunch
We went to a celebration called World Lunch this weekend. The idea is experience different cultures through song, dance, stories, pictures and taste. We had a really good time and look forward to the next one. 
Watched a Czech Youth Folk Ensamble. (Can anyone guess why this was my favorite?)
Watched Filipino Tinikling.
Watched a Kung Fu demonstration.
Listened to an Irish Ensamble...no step dancing though. :(
Watched a Tunisian Water Pot Dance...
...an Egyptian Stick Dance....
...and a Pharonic Candle Dance.
We also watched (and tasted) a Danish Cooking Demonstration. YUM!
It was a beautiful day weather wise making it a great day of school!
copyright 2008 The Homefront Lines
We listened to a Greek Singer.
Watched a Czech Youth Folk Ensamble. (Can anyone guess why this was my favorite?)
Watched Filipino Tinikling.
Watched a Kung Fu demonstration.
Listened to an Irish Ensamble...no step dancing though. :(
Watched a Tunisian Water Pot Dance...
...an Egyptian Stick Dance....
...and a Pharonic Candle Dance.
We also watched (and tasted) a Danish Cooking Demonstration. YUM!
It was a beautiful day weather wise making it a great day of school!
copyright 2008 The Homefront Lines
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