nature color hunt

Yesterday we went on a little nature scavenger hunt with our homeschool group.

I painted the insides of some egg cartons with colors I've been seeing on our nature walks: white, purple, orange, yellow, brown and green.


It was threatening to rain, so we didn't have as many kiddos from the group as we expected, but we still had fun wandering around and hunting colors.



But, then our clever little nature game deteriorated when the boys just wanted to be boys!



My friend's sweet daughter picked a huge bouquet of flowers and then gave them to ME! So sweet.


Once we got home, Enrique was a little more into his treasures. We had fun talking about them all.


This is about as structured as we get on the homeschool front these days. I am really liking just being, spending time in nature, keeping it simple. There is PLENTY of time to get a little more serious about our homeschooling. But, for now, we are enjoying doing it like this.

nature walk

We went on a nature walk last week with some friends of ours.. It was so LUSH and GREEN outside. I took WAY too many pictures as usual... but that way you can pretend to walk along with us..

heading out.. don't you love him wearing his "baby" ??

buddies.




it was so nice out.. this look says it all.


thirsty. uh, not sure that's safe, but, ok?



taking a rest.



discovering.


some serious adventuring. he is getting really brave these days.



heading home.

a nature walk

Been awhile since I've posted pictures from our nature walks. And summer is officially here! The dry river was FULL of water, everything is lush and green, and it smells so good outside!

rain and mud

We are seeing alot of both these days...I am kindof loving it, reminds me of when I lived in Seattle, only I know there is sunshine in the future! I have been doing SO MUCH laundry! Mud is all over everything, but that means my little ones have been out playing, which makes me happy!

This is a lake that has formed outside our front door. I am not kidding, it was almost coming inside! Don put a board across it to the steps.. a bridge was the only way out!


And even though her face is oh so grumpy looking here (but dang cute!) she has proved herself a mud baby these past few days.


And well, this one, he is the mud king! Can't seem to keep him away from it!



And all this rain has made it super easy to add a few new "pets" to the crew..
WORMS! They have been running errands with us.

a perfect weekend :: thrift, food, mountains, firsts, garden

Don had his first official weekend after going back to work, and it was packed full of everything we love..

- Thrift store shopping ... (I'll share our scores later this week.. good stuff!)

- Dinner party ... We host a "Natural Family Potluck" at our house once a month. I only took this one picture of the kids sitting so patiently and quiet waiting for food. This is a new tradition we are loving.. Lots of good conversation, yummy food and a little chaos!


- A trip up to the mountains to go fishing ...



Hanging out at the lake means we get to do lots of our favorite things:

Hiking ...

(like my makeshift baby carrier? I totally forgot mine and used our picnic blanket!)




Climbing ...



Digging in the Mud ...




Discovering ...

We saw this tree that had been struck by lightening.. amazing!


Fishing ...


I FINALLY got to see my husband catch a fish! I seriously was thinking I was bad luck.. he never catches fish when I'm with him.. but not this time!

And the big highlight of the day? Enrique caught his first fish!!!

Look at how proud he is of himself!

But, I think Don was even more proud! This was a big day for our little dude, but an even bigger deal for his fisherman papa.

And then, fueled by the excitement of the first fish, Enrique hiked all the way out ALL BY HIMSELF! He usually needs to be carried.. but not today. And, it's quite a hike!



After we got home from the mountains, we went to water the garden. Hanging out in the sun with our kiddos giving a little love to our vegetables, both Don and I had one of those perfectly happy moments where all feels right in the world.

It was a perfect weekend!