Posted by Cindy on May 20, 2009
This month’s Creation Club focus was on creeks and creek banks. Sadly, though, the creek bank was grown up more than I had imagined and we didn’t get to do nearly as much exploring as planned. For me, it didn’t matter because I can enjoy any nature walk. For the children expecting to explore a creek in wet and wild ways, they were a bit disappointed. Below are a few pictures from our walk.
These were bright red mushrooms!
This one is bright red, too, although the color didn’t show up quite as well in the picture. See the little snail sitting on it? Can you see the worm holes in the wood?
This was found in the yard once we returned. Our best guess is a Brown Headed Cowbird. Any other suggestions?
And this one wasn’t found yesterday, but I couldn’t resist posting it. We found it at Melissa’s house this week when we went for a visit. It’s a cowboy hat shaped mushroom! Eli tried to pick it up to put it on his head!
Posted by Cindy on May 19, 2009
Field Day at our co-op is always such a fun day! In their class rotations, the kids go around to seven different activities.
- Tug-of-war
- Long Jump
- Softball Throw
- 50 Yard Dash
- Three-legged Race
- Sack Race
- Obstacle Course
The moms sign up to either work a station or escort classes from station to station. Those who escort also keep records of 1st, 2nd and 3rd place so ribbons can be given out at the end of the day. Everyone gets a participation ribbon so they don’t feel left out if they don’t place in any of the events. The escort also gets to decide who receives special awards at the end of the day for things like Most Enthusiastic, Most Encouraging, Most Christ-like Attitude and a few others.
We have a little awards ceremony and snack celebration to finish the day. It’s a long co-op day, but very much worth it!
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Filed Under: Co-op
Posted by Cindy on May 18, 2009
I am leaving this post at the top of the page until Monday. Please scroll down to see newer posts.
After many months of diligent work, Melissa and I are SO proud to announce the launch of our new company Shining Dawn Books, and our series of Christian nature study units!!
Each e-book unit is jam-packed with nature study ideas, hands-on activities, research ideas, writing ideas, project ideas, lessons about the topic that relate to other subject areas, artist and composer study tie-ins, literature lists, internet links, notebooking pages and more!!
We have prayed and truly believe that these units will bless each and every family who uses them. They are so versatile and can be used simply as jump-starts to a nature walk or full-fledged unit studies for up to a month!
Right now, we have TWELVE e-book units available! We plan to add six new units every three or four months. What’s available now?
Animal Signs
Beautiful Birds
Captivating Clouds
Creatures of the Night
Delightful Deciduous Trees
Everchanging Erosion
Frogs and Toads
Fungus Among Us
Hard as a Rock
Peaceful Ponds
Spectacular Spiders
Wonderful Wildflowers
Please take a few minutes to browse the site and let us know what you think! http://ShiningDawnBooks.com
We’ll be posting all sorts of articles and such at the new site, so be sure to add it to your feed reader. There’s a subscribe button in the top right hand corner of the site.
Now for the most exciting news! Melissa and I are EACH giving away THREE of our units. I’m giving away three here and Melissa is giving away three different ones on her blog. The contest runs from today through next Monday, May 25th! We will each draw names and announce the six winners (three on each blog) on Tuesday, May 26th.
The rules are simple:
- Leave a comment here (on the post) and you will be entered to win ONCE in my contest.
- Leave a comment on Melissa’s contest post and you will be entered ONCE in her contest.
- If you mention the contest on your blog and let us know about it, you will be entered TWO more times in EACH contest!!
- That means you could be entered up to SIX times between the two blogs!!!
The three I’ve decided to give away here at Our Journey Westward are:
Good luck and thank you SO much for the kind words so many of you have already given us! Many blessings to you all!
Posted by Cindy on May 17, 2009
If you take a walk anywhere on our farm these days, you see plants covered in what looks like spit. It’s especially obvious on the stinging nettle and alfalfa plants.
Caleb decided to investigate inside the spit on our recent nature walk and this is what he found.
Crawling on another of the same plant were the same bugs, only brown. They’re hard to see in the photo below, but look about midway down on the right side of the plant.
We made many guesses about the identity of these little creatures, but decided to find out the exact identity when we got home. They are…..
Spittle Bugs (named for the spit-like protection the nymph forms around it’s body), which are a type of aphid
Below are a few helpful websites for learning more about spittle bugs.
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/2005-05/1116730719.Zo.r.html
http://insects.tamu.edu/extension/youth/bug/bug049.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphid
I have big news coming tomorrow! Remember all the talk about the NaturExplorer e-books Melissa and I are working on? They are finished and ready for you! Be sure to stop by here tomorrow (Monday) for the big unveiling of our NaturExplorer units and a fun giveaway!!!
Posted by Cindy on May 16, 2009
Being a mom is truly one of the most precious gifts the Lord blesses us with! I have wonderful children and I thank God so much for them – their sweet little hearts, their funny spirits, their creativity – the list goes on and on! Here are just a few memories from Mother’s Day this year.
Mahayla made me a homemade bouquet of flowers.
She (and Steve) made me a flower press. She even started a wildflower nature journal for me to use!
Caleb was inspired by our trip to the Cincinnati Art Museum and made a sculpture for me.
We were so lucky to be able to spend Mother’s Day afternoon with Steve’s grandma and family!
I hope your Mother’s Day was just as special!
