Raking Leaves

We've been staying at my parents' house for a little more than a week now, while waiting for my little sister to have her baby.  She's four days late so far.  There were two different days that we thought labor was going to begin, just to fizzle out after a couple of hours.  Bummer!  The girls and I have been keeping very busy visiting friends and family while we've been here.

On Sunday afternoon, after playing in the park, my dad started some yardwork.  Arin has been enjoying helping grandma and papa with different projects since we arrived.  She went outside and asked my dad if there was anything she could help with.  He put her to work raking leaves.  I was not outside with her during her first raking session, but my dad said she was a diligent, cheerful worker.  While she worked, she also educated my dad on different things like squares and rectangles both have four sides and four corners, triangles have three sides and three corners, but ovals and circles don't have any sides or corners.  She also told my dad that springtime is so nice to be outside, but summer gets really hot, but that's when she gets to swim a lot.  Finally, she reminded him that her birthday is just four months away in July.  Silly little girl.  She did keep my dad entertained.  I later went outside and took pictures of a second raking session.

She raked and raked.  (see the pile of leaves that she raked to the right of her in this picture?)

Then jumped in the pile of leaves.

Then raked some more.

For her cheerful work, Papa rewarded her with a dollar!

Sunday in the Park

The Great Outdoors

We have been spending most of our extra time outside this week.

Today, while playing outside, Arin said to Ella, "Isn't nature wonderful?"

Bonding



Examining Leaves ~ Perhaps a Future Horticulturist?  :)




"Wow, look at this bark!"



Discovering New Life ~ Signs of Spring

Hmmm, I wonder how far I can throw this rock?

Ella loved jumping in this leaf pile.

Climbing Trees

Walking Sticks

More Fun with the Leaves

"You Shall Not Pass!" ~ Pretend Play

Fun with Acorns

Sitting Pretty

Comforting a Grumpy Sister

Giddy Up! (pretend horse)

Nature's Balance Beam

Dissecting a Flower

Whatcha doing, Arin?

Oh, Wow!

Blowing Dandelions



"Mom, why is there a hole in this tree?"



I'll Race You Downhill!

Linked to:
T.O.B.Y.

Hula Hooping

 

 

 

Arin's been practicing, practicing, practicing and she can keep the hula hoop up for close to a minute now!

Nature Bingo

Melissa, O, & E from Chasing Cheerios sent Arin and Ella a wonderful care package several weeks ago.  Along with a couple of other things, they sent the girls a Nature Bingo card.  Arin LOVES to match things and she LOVES to play I Spy, so this game was perfect for her.  She LOVED it!  Ella stayed right by Arin's side the whole time, which was so cute. 

As soon as Andy got home, Arin was telling him all about the Nature Bingo.  We weren't able to find everything on the card, but it was a lot of fun just the same.  Arin has already asked when we can go and play it again!  We are taking a trip next week and I think we'll pack this game and play it again while we're in a different state!

Thanks again Melissa, O, & E! This game was a huge hit!

Nature Walk

We are going to start incorporating more intentional nature walks into our weekly homeschool routine. This evening, we took a short walk around our yard. Arin found a dandelion, but blew it before I had a chance to take a picture of it. We looked, but couldn't find anymore of them. She also found several acorns, which she had a lot of fun throwing at the shed.

We also found a couple of caterpillars, which I am still in the process of trying to identify.

The girls had a great time collecting pinecones, which we will eventually use for a craft project.

Ella also thought that pine needles were fascinating.