Getting Out::Nature Studies

Many years ago, I attended a talk on "Charlotte Mason Style Teaching". It was probably my first introduction to her, and it was without a doubt my first introduction to the idea of nature studies. I was intrigued. I still am.

But, a stumbling block for me was the part of the talk when the speaker told how her family members kept their backpacks ready to go by the door so that if the day got bumpy, they could take off with their natural journals in hand at a moments notice. I was puzzled- how would you do that? There are things to be done! what if dinner isn't prepared? we might get BEHIND!...

We still don't do many formal nature studies. However, I have since learned that sometimes you just need to get out (have I mention that before?;)). When things are going downhill, it can be just the break that everyone needs to finish up the day. 

And, yes, we may indeed get behind, but we probably would have anyway. I actually look at it more like redeeming that time. We almost always see or learn something new AND we get exercise and fresh air! Win-Win. 

All this babbling leads me to this- 

This morning, as we were doing chores, Mark looked at me and said, "I REALLY need to get out and walk. I just can't think straight!".

Okay then. I could tell he was actually serious. We decided to see if his 3yo nephew (my grandson) would like to join us on an outing. And that's what we did.  


We decided on the Japanese Friendship Gardens to feed the Koi fish. 


We got an extra surprise to find lots of ducklings swimming around. 
Little man cub was truly ecstatic over the sight! 


This outing was just the remedy! Fresh air, exercise, and special time with a nephew. 

I even asked someone to take a picture of all of us.  ;) 



**A regular reader of this blog might notice that Paul is MIA in some posts these days. He is working more with his dad so isn't around quite as much. I miss him, but he really does love it and he is needed right now. 

Comments

  1. LucindaMay 1, 2013 at 1:33 PM

    Well done for getting in the photo! It's a lovely one of you all. The ducklings are very cute too. We have been visiting a pond once a week lately, the coots and swans are nesting so we are hoping to see some cute little feathery things too, soon!
    Lucinda

    ReplyDelete
  2. JenJune 7, 2013 at 1:41 PM

    That is the sweetest photo of you all =) I agree. Sometimes you just need to get out. The biggest thing is recognizing that & then leaving!

    ReplyDelete

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