Exploring with Clair

Clair asked if I could drive the kids out onto the property so she could explore with them and talk about the creatures and plant life that is found all around our school. We went to the creek first and found that the water had gone down significantly since our last visit even though we have had rain.
We stopped on the way back to the school to look at different fields of wildflowers and we found many little bugs, caterpillars, butterflies, cocoons and cows.

The fields were full of wildflowers and green lush grasses. Lots of flowers we could and some we couldn't identify. Lots of these little bugs This was a tiny chrysalis that was empty that one of the kids found. Clair found these two little caterpillars, but it was Violet who correctly identified them as Queen caterpillars. They are easily mistaken for Monarch caterpillars. Caterpillar that was building his cocoon. Need to identify this guy. Someone found this little inch worm and wanted me to capture it. Damon came running up to me and told me that he thought this area looked like the planet Endor and that they had a base camp at the truck! LOL. Some cool rocks with weird stuff growing on them. Andrea and Sophia There were so many baby calves and we stopped to observe them, or rather some big cows stood in front of the truck and wouldn't let us pass...

Mosaic stepping stones

Damon's grandma was in town and wanted to do a project with the kids. This has been a project we have been wanting to do with the kids for a long time, and the stepping stones will stay at the school to commemorate TerraLuz's first year.

Crowe's Nest Farm

We had a field trip to Crowe's Nest Farm. The kids got to see a demonstration of a cow being milked, a hay ride to see some buffalo and ostriches. The farm had miniature pony's, donkeys, birds, raptors, turkeys, chickens, themed gardens, a fairy garden and so much more than I can remember! Damon's grandma was in town and she got to experience a great field trip, we had so much fun and it was such a great local resource in Austin.

Outdoor classroom

This spring when I was the parent volunteer we decided to load the kids up in the back of my pickup truck and take them to the creek.  We had recent rains and the creek was full. The sunflowers were just starting to bloom and the cows watched our foray into the creek from across the pasture. The kids discovered several different types of rocks, some flint, some we think from underground aquifers. Some of the children threw rocks and others collected flowers, while others drew in their notebook of the surroundings and their finds. We left the creek and explored a nearby abandoned barn and vehicles. The kids found all sorts of flowers, weeds and caterpillars. We had so much fun we went out to the creek the rest of the week.
    

Reason #98

Reason #98 why I love our co-op and heavy parent involvement.

Where else would I find two mommies crouched over plants and insects trying to identify them and get macro shots of it all.