Park

After a rough morning of school, we decided to walk to the park and library for the afternoon.  The park was deserted!  The kids had fun doing some of the riskier activities that they can't do when younger children are around.  Riding bikes in the bandstand (and off the side!).  Leaping off the play structure.  Flying off the swings in gigantic leaps.  Apparently there was a lot of energy to burn!

Getting ready to leap.

Straddle leap off the swing!

Running/Riding off energy on the bandstand.

Climber

Monkey.

Benji's nature collection.

Happy after a quick nap.

May Hours Outdoors

I've tracked out outdoor hours for two months now.  Our May hours were boosted with a camping trip.  If we can manage to keep our momentum, we should be able to log 1000 hours outdoors this year.

April: 75.25
May: 146.75

Total thus far: 222

I think we are off to a great start.

It Worked!

A few weeks back, Adrianna caught a Woolly Bear caterpillar, gave it a suitable habitat and watched it create a cocoon.  She kept the cocoon and three weeks later, out came an Isabella Moth.  So cool!

Cocoon.
See the opening at the front where the moth came out.

Caterpillar shell.
It was left behind inside the cocoon.

Isabella Tiger Moth.
Freshly out of the cocoon.

Now Nate and Benji are trying to do the same thing with this large green caterpillar.  This guy is one of many that is falling from our trees.  This guy landed on Zoe while she was laying on a blanket in the middle of the yard.  

The birds are having a feast.  

Birds, Butterflies and a Pond

We attended a homeschool nature class at the RARE conservation area.  The focus was on birds, butterflies and pond life.

Learning about birds nests.

Catching bugs and butterflies.

Catching tadpoles.

Momma Toad (or Poppa Toad?) with tadpoles.

Jars of pond life.

Diving Beetle Larva.

Art Lessons

Adrianna's artwork from her art lesson at the Homer Watson Gallery.

Art Lessons

Nate's artwork from his art lesson at the Homer Watson Gallery.

Love