Nature Notebooking

With the weather being so amazing lately, we've been spending more and more "free time" doing Nature Notebooking, which is basically just a hands-on, intense science study. We pick an item, study/observe it, measure/weigh, notice coloring and other characteristics, and then draw and write about it.

(Bonus: With "free time," I'm teaching science, math, art, writing, and more, all in one "lesson"...and they don't even know it's extra learning! bwaaahaaa)

My Oldest Boy, the nature lover, chose a leaf that was growing through our back fence. He sketched the top, and did a mighty fine job, then flipped it over and found this:
See those tiny eggs? The entire leaf is 10cm. These are itty bitty eggs.
We looked at closely as the naked eye can....

....and then transferred them to the microscope. Oh, how I wish I could take photos through the microscope!! It is SO very neat.

From what we read in the Handbook of Nature Study, and online, we're guessing that these are butterfly eggs, that will darken as they get near their hatch date. They're currently residing in our butterfly house.

If you have any idea what they could be, please let me know.

I'm eagerly anticipating birds' nests and eggs in the trees behind our fence. We've been hearing mockingbirds and robins, and have seen quite a few little sparrows, too.

This may be my favorite March ever. We've had very few storms, and some record warmth, which is just *perfect* in my book!

Live for Something

"Live for something higher, bigger and better than you."
(Also, I LOVE my Wendy's mug, found at a yard sale several years ago.

Please please tell me if you ever come across any more of them!)

Doodle Frames

On this post, I promised to show you what I was doing. Well, here it is:

This is utterly relaxing art. Paint a little, doodle a little, splashes of color and dancing lines.

La Te Da :D

Would be a great & easy activity for kids. There is no wrong way to do this!

Nature-Inspired Art

We took a wonderful day trip to Devil's Den on Sunday, knowing that the storms were

supposed to be hitting our area this week. Might as well get in some sunshine and dirt-lovin' before being confined to the house.

My kidlings have become expert heart-rock finders... and even bark-heart-finders. You can see them everywhere, if you only look. Isn't that the key? Blessings become blessings when you recognize them as such?

The caves were still closed (perhaps permanently?) but we hiked up to them anyway and enjoyed the view, and the cold air drifting out.
My Middlest boy tried to climb some of the larger boulders...it's harder than it looks, believe me. I did my best, but didn't make it up as far as he did. Must bring the right gear next time! ;)

After the hike, we let them wade out into the river, to search for rocks. They cooled down, and we were able to sit and relax for a bit. Win-win.
I drew the trees, the flowers, basically anything I saw.

There is such inspiration in nature. The tiniest bug, the most common flower...they are all amazing and wonderful.

I'd actually forgotten my brown and black pens, so it was color only. I'm okay with that.

What inspires you? Where do you work? I'm finding that I'm most comfortable drawing when other "issues" are out of sight. Working in the car, when my Man is driving, is perfect. We talk, I work, there are no pressing issues.

Working outside is my favorite, even with the wind and insects. The nature-ness just adds to the atmosphere.

One place I canNOT work is in my kitchen, as I get too distracted thinking about what I need to do, clean, cook. It's my household hub, not my place to shut down and relax.

As the weather continues to get warmer, I plan to set a daily outdoor art time for the kids and myself. I work more regularly when it's officially on the schedule!

Driveway Maze

It's always a balance, doing the things that matter the most,

for those who matter the most.

And, more often than not, that means taking time for the little things.

Building the memories.

Encouraging who they are.

Doing things "outside the box"....or "off the paper," in this case.

bits of beauty

I don't want to take all of these little moments, little glances, little pieces of beauty for granted.

Lord, help me appreciate every moment I'm in, as the gift that it is.

All Art Requires Courage

I'm only painting watercolor squares, using one of the kids' sets.
But I am painting.
I do have a vision for what it will be.
(and I'll show you soon.)
Sometimes art is simply the only way to express what is inside.
I believe this especially holds true for children.

Nearing her due date

One of my dearest friends, due this weekend!

You are beautiful, Bridgitt!

Surrounded by such love...

heheeh hee

Awwww

Yeeeee! I'm so excited for her!

Fishy Art

Did I post the artwork my kids did during our Fish Unit? I don't think so.

This is my Littlest's crayon and watercolor artwork. Wonderful, right?
And my Oldest Boy's work... just beautiful!

I've always loved the crayon and watercolor combo. It has such nice effects for a small bit of effort. Even the littlest ones can scribble *something* and splash some color over it! :D

Hoot Whhhooooo

Wwwwhhhhhooooo enjoys owls as much as I do?
Whhhhoooo is always there for me? My wonderful sisters, my precious friends, my hilarious husband, and my hilarious children.

Whhhhooo has blessed me beyond words? The One Whhoooo Made It All.

(Corny, yes, but also so true. sometimes corny is acceptable, right?)