Nature Walk

This morning I threw open the windows first thing and stood for a moment to let the cool air pass over me. With weather like this I couldn't see missing the opportunity to go on a nature walk in order to make a Reptile Groups poster, so when it was time for science I picked up the baby and the three amigos and I headed out under the brilliant blue sky to look for reptiles. The only reptile we ended up seeing was a northern fence lizard but other insects, animals and plants also captured our attention. We petted the miniature donkeys and goats - Izaac half-laughed, half- winced at the big, furry animals and Elijah yelled out about the well-fed, brother and sister donkeys "look, they're both gonna have babies!"

Under rocks and pavers we found roly-polies, worms, fire-colored centipedes and "termites" as the boys insisted on calling the almost-microscopic white bugs (I don't know what they are?). We found (more) clams by the pond and frogs as small as a fingernail. The sky was so blue and the grass so green and the breeze so fall-ish I could have sat by the pond all day, holding my sweet baby, watching my boys explore and startle then laugh.

As we walked together, we figured that the best thing about homeschool is being together. Yes. Being with each other, especially on days like today, is priceless. The sound of the wind in the trees, our laughter echoing off friendly hills and into ravines, crickets singing of autumn.

I heard someone once say enjoy the little things, because one day you'll look back and they'll be the big things.