Warm Nov. Weather Means Homeschooling Outside

For the 3rd day in the row we have been having what I believe to be unseasonably warm weather for Northern Illinois.  Pant/T-shirt weather so today for the 3rd day in a row we have done what any other reasonable homeschooler would do in my shoes: Homeschool Outside!

We gathered up the magazine holders with our books, notebooks, and went outside to sit at the table and do our work.

Our dogs also have been enjoying the outdoor weather. We are still working with Onyx not to bark and all our neighbors. -- we just want him to be cool with the environment around him and only really bark and be on alert if someone is actually on on property.  It's a slow process -- some days are better then others.

I'm so thankful to be able to allow my daughter the ability to sit outside and enjoy these warm temps vs. being stuck in a classroom/school building all day. Hopefully I will be able to bring my son back home soon so he can enjoy these type of days again too.

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Homeschooling AT the park?

That's right today we packed up our school bags and went to the park. DH works near this park so he was able to join us at his lunch hour. We had already eaten lunch at home before we met DH at the park so it was more of a recess for us, but it was still fun!

After we got done swinging DH had to go back to work. I then let the kids play some more and did our work, but it prove to be too windy! So we decided that the car was a good place to work!

After we got our work done we went on a walk and got lost in the woods! Well clearly we are home now because I'm able to blog about it. When we found our way out of the woods Superstar said "Look Mom there's a sign for a picnic area! Let's go there, they always have a map there."

Sure enough the picnic area did have a map. I called DH to let him know that we got lost, found a map, and now heading back to the car. It took us another hour to get to our car from where we found the map. So we were really lost!  So besides our normal school work, the kids learn how to find our away back to the car via wits and maps! LOL

Ditches, Rules, and Honesty

Early yesterday evening, my 18 month nephew was picked up by my mom and her husband. After 4 days at my home, he was going back to my mom's house. (aka home). For new readers: My nephew for the last 12 months has been living with my mom, because my sister is in Afghanistan (Army). Sis is a single parent thus needs my mom (and I for a day or 2 per month to care for him).

Having him here meant being on pin-and-needles more. Not in a bad way it just means being a little bit more on guard of what the kids are up too. After all he's 18 months.... well, he went home and I was able to breath. I felt relaxed and just started to veg out.

DH was in the backyard mowing before the sun went down, I'm in the living room vegging on the couch, and the kids are out in the front yard. My back is to the window so I can't seem them, but I can hear them out there. DH comes around the from the backyard and I can hear him yell "get out of the ditch".

We have a ditch in the front yard, out by the 45 (people go 55) mile per hour road. The kids at 7 and almost 8 clearly KNOW they aren't allowed in the ditch. Heck the last 4 days they were helping me keep their cousin from going into areas that are a "no-no" around here, the ditch being one of those areas.

I poked my head out the front door and asked DH "Did you just tell them to get out of the ditch?" He said yes. I then turned to DS and told him to come inside that he lost his outside time. DH told me, it was DD that I saw and corrected. I then turned to DS and told him I'm sorry you can stay out, and then turned to DD and told her to come in that she had lost her outside time for being in the ditch.

Right at the moment, DS said "I have to come in too, because I WAS in the ditch too" DS ratted himself out! I was extremely proud of him so when he came to the door I gave him the biggest bear hug ever and thanked him for being honest and sharing with daddy and I that you did it too. How awesome is that??