We would spend time identifying the flora and fauna that we did recognize, like the little Texas Spiny Lizard. And for what we didn’t recognize, we would identify them later from the pictures I took as a class project. The extended research projects could often get into some lively debates when there could be two caterpillars that look a lot alike, but the pictures didn’t catch their best side for solid identification. But debate is also a good thing for kids to learn. Being able to tell why they think it’s one species while their siblings make them support their theory is something they’ll need to use for the rest of their lives.

One of the greatest gifts I have is watching my children discover new things and explore nature. I smile as I watch them slowly ease up on a bug that’s resting on a flower so it doesn’t fly away while trying to identify it. Hearing my youngest bellow, “Momma, look at this lizard!” like he just found the greatest treasure. Hearing my oldest teaching his little sister what the name of a tree is makes me very proud and also reminds me that this is exactly why I homeschool. This style of learning, having education as an experience, is not something that a schoolroom and a book could ever replicate. These moments are beautiful memories, and this will stick with them much longer than memorizing facts.

Picnic time!

Picnic time!

We had a picnic lunch at the nearby picnic shelter. The idea was brought up that we needed to build a shelter like this on our property. I quickly reminded them that we have an arbor that’s much the same as this. Adam, enjoying his turkey sandwich, said he would still like to have a BIG arbor like this. Then his beautiful little engineer mind began to go into great detail about how there would be room for a living room and bedrooms. Once again, I had to say no.

I was being the typical photographer as always, and Austin quickly reminded me that teenagers do not like pictures taken when they have food in their mouths. Anna, however, doesn’t mind one bit that I take her picture while she’s enjoying her apple. I say give her another year or two, and she’ll be siding with Austin in protest against my paparazzi moments!

I write to help others see how homeschooling looks for us, to show how learning can happen anywhere, at any time. And I write to remember these beautiful days filled with love and learning and adventures.

~Becky~

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