Nature Study Monday - Katy VFW Park

So our little nature study group took last week off but we were back out this morning at the VFW park here in Katy.  The biggest difference is that the weather has turned just lovely here.  Cool breezes and lower temps have made it a joy to be outside. 

I don't know how much nature got observed (none got sketched by my boys) but all the kids had a good time going up and down the creek.  We saw several big spider webs and minnows in the creek water.

There was a log that made a nice foot bridge for the brave at heart.

 I brought the twins' plasma cars to keep them out of the creek.  Mostly because I did not want to go int the creek.

Marshall caught a bug.  Some kind of cricket we are thinking.  When we get home we will look it up.

Until next week!

Nature Study Monday - Mary Jo Peckham Park

Marshall found some snails.

The other kids in our group love playing the "bad guys" and trying to get the Batman Twins to chase them.

So the twins have started holding hands and I warn you there will be many more pictures of this on the way.

The boys making a catapult out of a low lying tree branch.

Cooper and Luke

The mystery goop.  It's either something's eggs or some kind of mold.  Our group is on a mission to identify this thing.
*They have been identified - Apple Snail Eggs!

Watercolors and nature journals

I have been waiting for this moment for three years.  He grabbed his nature journal and went to sketch something by himself without any gentle nudging from me.  He decided to sketch the entire pond.

I told the boys to punch holes in the papers. Kept them busy long enough for the big boys to sketch. 

Nature Study Monday - Mary Jo Peckham

Freshwater Bivalves

 (That's a fancy science word for "I don't know if this is a clam or a mussel)

One of the boys came running up telling us about this really cool shell he found.  Upon closer inspection it is two snails mating.  We put them back in the water so they could *ahem* continue.

The twins continued their rock domination.

Ducks in a row.

Tiny shell.

Graham found a hole.  "A duck hole!"

There were a tons of crab claws out there.  I don't know if people bring them to fish with or there really are crabs in the water but the kids love to play with them.

A fish spine or some other vertebrate. 

Baby Piper just before she attacks the herd of ducks.  Get em' Piper!

A lure Marshall found.  Very realistic, the kids would not believe me until I pulled out the hook.

Nature Study Monday - Mary Jo Peckham with Daddy!

We had a special visitor with us this Monday since it was Labor Day.  Robert wanted to come see what we do on these nature walks and of course I used that as an excuse to let the big boys go fishing.  Since fish hooks were going to be involved, I was happy to take the twins around the pond to look for baby ducks.  Rob and the big boys fished for awhile and then we played on the playground.  We had to leave after a couple hours because it got too hot but I think fun was had by all.

Cooper caught a perch and got a lecture about using too much worm on his hook.

Rob showing the twins the worms.  Graham: "They have dirt on them!"

They really wanted to see the baby ducks and pet them.  I told them they could but Mamma duck might peck them since those are her babies.  They decided to not chance it.

Marshall wore all black and soon was very hot.

They were fascinated with seeing the sunlight through the trees.

Graham wanted to know if the duck nest he saw three weeks ago was still there. It was although, the eggs were not.

Barrett: "It like Daisy duck!"

Tea Time Tuesday

Tuesday afternoon means tea time here at Clements' Academy (I'm trying that out for our school name).  I started this tradition last year after reading this article.  We try and keep it simple although some days it gets fancy.  There are several reasons I do this:

1. It is something that if we do it consistently it will provide a warm memory of home.  If you think about your family traditions what are they?  They are most often things that you did repeatably and things that were done with love. With four boys, all with different interest, this is the one thing we can do together once a week. 
2. I love tea and would like to pass on the simple pleasure of a good cuppa.
3. It is a good time to teach manners.  Even the little ones know that when they hold that tea cup for the first time, it is not something to be thrown but to cradle.  One day these boys will be men and out in the business world and they might just thank me that they know to not slurp their tea!  I am never harsh in my tone and rather just offer polite reminders to "not try and lick the sugar out of the bottom of your cup" and "no, you cannot lick the plate."  Lots of licking with boys...
4. It is a quiet time.  We listen to our composer selections, occasionally poetry is read aloud, and most often we just sit and enjoy our treat.
5. The boys know how to set a proper table and are careful with the dishes.  There have been broken dishes and the sorrow felt over the shattered pieces has been it's own teacher.  They are more careful now than ever before. 

I am sure that is enough reasons for anyone and I do get burned out sometimes.  Some Tuesdays I want some quiet time to myself but the boys always remember and ask if we are having tea today.  Our menu usually is some cheese (Boursin) and crackers and strawberries and cream.  Although today was just cinnamon toast.  We drink English breakfast tea with sugar and milk. 

I am hoping that soon I can start teaching the big boys to make the treats for Tuesdays.  They already boil the water and set the table.  Our favorite days are when we have visitors for tea.  We have one particular friend who comes about once a month and we just love her visits. 

Cinnamon toast.  My mom taught me how to make this and it is a favorite of mine!