Our Garden Caterpiller

We found the most beautiful caterpillar on our garden a couple of weeks ago. I looked it up on the internet to learn more about it. It eats plants from the parsley and carrot family and some farmers/gardeners spray to kill these great creatures. Through observation, we've learned that this caterpillar really doesn't eat much but poops a great deal (a natural fertilizer!) Since we had to take it with us when we go to the trailer, we learned that there are many plants that grow wild in the families of plants that it will eat. So, the likeliness that these caterpillars will eat our garden plants only is extremely unlikely. Also, we learned right away what it's defense mechanism is. It smells really bad!!! When it's being threatened it pops out these beautiful bright red/orange antenna (actually called in scientific terms "osmeterium") and sprays a smell to repel predictors. So in doing this, we would be safe to assume, that this could keep some garden pests away (rabbits, birds etc.)

Friend or Foe? I'd vote Friend! They would be more beneficial to keep in the garden instead of killing them.

This caterpillar is bright green and black striped with yellow dots and the antenna are bright orange/red ("osmeterium"). This is a picture of it's current condition (it's in the chrysalis stage). As you can see, it's very camouflaged on a stick or near the ground. Soon we'll see the butterfly emerge. It is suppose to be a fairly large black butterfly with yellow markings. I'll add to the post when we have that happen and let it go.

Blueberry Picking

We went blueberry picking today with friends. I will have to get a picture from someone else since my camera died. Blueberry bushes are so beautiful. I think it would be amazing to have our own bushes. We all picked berries and we sat under an apple tree and ate snacks. The kids ran around, climbed the tree and saw a couple of birds nests. It turned out to be a very hot day even though it called for rain. When we got home we made jam and took it over to our new neighbour's house. I washed a bunch more to freeze and some are in the fridge for smoothies tomorrow. I think I'll order "Blueberries For Sal" from the library tonight. What a great classic book that many kids in school have probably never read, but it's on just about every homeschool reading list I've ever seen. What a soothing image in my mind... sitting with the kids on either side of me eating blueberries and reading the book. Sigh...

Hmm... I just thought of this... What better way to learn about the first people of the world who were hunters and gatherers!! We just learned how they gathered berries, in a sense.

“I don't look like Halle Berry. But chances are, she's going to end up looking like me.” Whoopi Goldberg

(Okay... so I couldn't find a berry quote that worked but you have to admit this one is kinda funny. I just wanted to see if anyone is paying attention. LOL!)

Homeschool Splash Pad Fun!!

We've met such great friends at our homeschool outings and have gotten to really enjoy being around them all this summer. We went to a splash pad this month (July). It was so much fun for them both and we stayed extra long. If you ask Austyn who this is I'm positive that he'll say with pride that this his his best friend.

“A friend is someone who lets you have total freedom to be yourself.” Jim Morrison

Drag Racing Educational?

Well, I was a skeptic. I mean... REALLY... how could watching cars race down a track so loud it hurts be educational at all? Well, surprisingly anything... YES ANYTHING... can be educational. Even Drag Racing!! Ausytn has learned about classifying groups, sorting, speed, time, weather conditions, direction, auto mechanics, sound, physics, history, and has met so many different kinds of people from young junior drivers all the way up to Professional Alcohol Funny Car Drivers and even media people. I can see how both of our kids have benefited from going to the races. And when they try out racing at the age of eight they will learn courage, team work, competition, control, and much more.

There are so many kinds of vehicles at the races and Austyn is not afraid to get right in there and check every little part of every vehicle out. He goes home and recreates what he sees on his bike or other toys he has. He is not afraid to approach a crew member and ask questions about the car or the driver or about anything at all.

He asked a very good question about this Jet Bike. "When the parachutes come out doesn't the driver fly off?" What we learned was that there is a long strip of Velcro along the top of the bike that is contoured to the driver's body, all the way from his upper chest all the way around to his lower back, and he is velcroed to the seat so that he doesn't fly off at such high speeds.

My neighbour told me that Austyn is such a good sport and when I asked why, she said that when her son and him race her son always wins and Austyn is never upset. He just says that it's okay because he'll keep practicing and one day he'll win. He also said that his Dad has a slow car and he won, so he can do the same". I was so touched.

“You win with heart” John Force

(OMG!! I always tell Kev to drive with his heart not his mind!!! What a perfect quote!!!)

Here Kitty Kitty!!

Kittens are fun, educational and also teach love for other living beings on our beautiful earth. A child's love for small animals is evident in their face when they hold one. These intimate experiences are windows for learning about the life of Cats. We came home and read about cats. We learned about their development and also we learned about wild cats.

We looked through old pictures and they both found it so interesting that our cats use to be kittens as well and they seem to look at them through a whole new light.

"And for many homeschoolers, pets become even more - they can actually become part of the curriculum." Howard and Susan Richman

Ambidextrous?

One thing that Austyn isn't all that ready for is Printing/Writing. But when he does paint or do math or put his name on a paper he has the ability to use either hand or switch when one gets tired. When he gets ready to do a worksheet (we don't do many because I don't think he is ready) he first chooses which hand he will use and if he uses his left hand sometimes the words or numbers are mirrored.
"Only when we pay equal attention to all aspects of a child, when we value his hands and heart equally with his head, will he achieve symettry. Then watch him fly." Linda Dobson

Box Play

Creative Play is so beneficial. Don't underestimate the power of creative play at this young age. Here they are living and exploring in a box. They seem to be sharing here but they don't always share. I'm sure the cat is ready to escape. Ha ha ha!!

Good Website:
http://unplugyourkids.com/2008/02/27/creative-play-makes-for-kids-in-control/

"Creative play makes for kids in control" Lev Vygotsky

Niagara Falls

We went to Niagara Falls in May and we had a great time. Most notably the most educational part of that trip would be the Butterfly Conservatory. We saw many butterflies from all around the world and we saw their nursery and watched them eat. Many of the tropical ones ate fruit. And sometimes they land on you or if you are careful not to hurt one, or get caught by an employee, you might be able to get one on your finger.

"We are all meant to be naturalists, each in his own degree, and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things." Charlotte Mason

Lego City!!

Our house was Lego City for a while. Austyn loves building and everything he builds that he loves, I take a picture of and we save the picture. On The Batman Lego Game he saw that they build things that has 10 parts and as you finish each part of the game the item is built. He went through a stage where he'd build things and they'd have 10 parts broken down (just like the game). As he builds he calculates, out of ten, how many parts are left. "Mommy this car has 3 parts. I need 7 more to finish it!!" This is just one example of MANY where children learn through life naturally without being forced to learn.

“It is as true now as it was then that no matter what tests show, very little of what is taught in school is learned, very little of what is learned is remembered, and very little of what is remembered is used. The things we learn, remember, and use are the things we seek out or meet in the daily, serious, nonschool parts of our lives.” John Holt