Camping!

The girls and I took off for a camping trip. We had a wonderful time. We went to Sebago Lake State Park. The water was clean, clear and warmish. Just right for really cooling off. This was to be my very first 'solo' camping trip. Solo meaning without Dean. He would be joining us a day late.

It had been raining for the few days before our trip and I was nervous that the rain and storminess would continue into our reserved time slot. The weather reports kept stating that there was 50% chance of rain. I was determined to camp, so I did much research online about keeping dry during camping. I asked Dean to buy a tarp. I bought some drop cloths for inside the tent on the floor.

It poured on and off all the way to the state park. We were a little concerned, but we were very determined.

We stopped for lunch a few miles outside the park. As we were getting back into the car, we saw that there were breaks of blue sky. We were so excited that the rain had stopped. We hurried to the campsite to set up the tent before the next shower.

That shower never came. We set the tent up, tarp and all. Very dry and comfy inside.

The girls rode bikes, and found some webbed footed friends while I set up the rest of camp.

After supper we walked down to the lake. Sebago lake is huge. Greta thought it looked like the ocean. It was so beautiful down there. The girls were very happy to swim until it got dark.

The duck friends also decided on a night swim.

We stayed at the park for three nights and four days. One of the best camping trips I have had. I think the girls liked it too.

Dean joined us on the second day. It was nice having campfires together. Dean and I also got a walk in, all on our own.

There will be more camping trips this summer, that is for sure.

Garden Explodes

I was just looking at the pictures I have been taking of the garden. There has been quite a lot of progress.

For instance the summer squash at the beginning of the month looked like this:

Today it looks like this:

The pole beans really have been climbing and winding their way to the tops of the poles. You can see some of the cucumber plants too. Here they are a couple of weeks ago:

Pole beans now.

The cukes today.

There is quite a difference in the way the whole garden looks. So many things are ripening enough to eat. We have harvested broccoli, snap peas, spinach, chard, lettuce, and cherry tomatoes.

Look how yummy that looks.

Oh, I can't forget the raspberries and blueberries that are coming now.

This is my usual before breakfast snack these days. I graze the bushes on my way to feed the chickens. By mid day there seems to be plenty more for anyone else.

We are right in the thick of summer and gardening now, and it feels so good.

Learning, Nature-ally

We are very fortunate to be surrounded in wood and nature. As homeschoolers/unschoolers our children have ample opportunity to learn about nature first hand and up close.

Both the girls have a deep love for any animal or living thing. We have jars, tanks, and little cages with bugs, crayfish, frogs, and at times snakes to watch and learn about. They eventually do let them go, knowing they need to be in their own environment to live. I feel the same way about my children. To really live, they need to be in their environment. That is a big reason we leave them be (for the most part) and let them investigate the world at their own speed and on their own terms. 

The other day Greta discovered a birds nest. One in the tree with baby birds in it. 

This is the nest of the Blue Eyed Vireo.

It is hard to see, but there are three little ones there.

AnnMarie mothered an orphaned mouse for a while. It didn't live long, but long enough that AnnMarie felt she did give it some life. It ate, walked, and nuzzled with her. 

When something interests the kids enough, they will learn all they can about it. They will learn as much as they need or want to. Then they move onto something else. That is the way it is supposed to be. 

I have no problems remembering this for the young ones. I need to constantly remind myself it works this way for everyone.