Everybody Needs a Rock

Lately, homeschool has consisted mainly of getting out of the house when we can and enjoying the great (or lesser, whichever the case may be) outdoors. We have lists of "nature activities" we (Lutece and I) want to do, but are in no hurry to get them done. It was Lu's idea to paint rocks.

You want me to do WHAT with this rock?? No, really, this is not the first time we've painted rocks.

As the kids were painting, I suddenly remembered a book I had ordered on a whim, that was still sitting in the "gift book bin" in the basement, just waiting for a day like this. Everybody Needs a Rock was a great little book and the kids just loved it. They painted; I read.


I don't think the author meant for the rocks to be *painted*, but whatever.


Rock THIS.

In the Greentime

It was a beautiful day yesterday, after weeks of rain, so we headed out to Raven Run for the morning. The kids are doing so well with the hiking lately. Granted, they are relatively easy, relatively short hikes, but hey, I don't have to tote around anyone on my back anymore. It's lovely.

I really love Raven Run, if you couldn't tell already by the many times I've blogged about trips we've taken out there. It's actually pretty close to town (15 minutes or so), but it feels a world away. When I'm there with the kids, I feel all the stress and anxiety just melt away.

This time the kids devised a system for taking turns leading the hike. They switched off every 1-2 minutes (we hiked for nearly an hour). Whoever was in front would use his or her "leading stick." Here's Phx with his.

And Lu with hers.

With all the rains lately, the stream was pretty full. You should have seen us trying to cross it without getting any feet wet. Stepping stones. Lots of stepping stones.