Showing posts with label butterfly conservatory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label butterfly conservatory. Show all posts

Friday, January 3, 2014

Day Three: Be Spontaneous

There is a fine line between being spontaneous and being an escapist--I have erased this line at times. But, for now, I'll share about partaking in a spontaneity that, if not pursued, would rob your family of wonderful experiences. While sifting through my photos, I found several trips that were offered last minute to my children and I and I grabbed them and have no regrets. These are the things laughter and inside jokes are made of and my children still talk about them today. These are the things that set homeschooling apart from traditional school and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to run with them. 
 Mama came across this little Alpaca farm a couple of years ago and off we went to make new friends and have a lesson in how they are sheered and their soft hair used for spinning and knitting.
Auntie Annie called us over for a lesson in heart monitoring and taking blood work.
An impromptu visit to the Butterfly Conservatory is always a favourite! 
The inspiration to give our Monarchs oranges came from here (and so did our Monarchs :) 
There's always something new to learn. 
Simple trips down the road to the frog pond are just as satisfying and educational.
 
Sometimes the idea arrives by way of a friend or family member and sometimes it's kid-driven. Either way, I try to be open to spontaneity in our homeschooling, without taking off at every whim. This is where good discernment comes into play. But don't forget, discovering God's world "out there" is often more rewarding than learning about the same things in books.
 
(Tomorrow I will share about diligence and staying home :)

Monday, May 2, 2011

Delicate Ones

Gratitude:
768. her appreciation for the delicate ones
769. His intricate design

770. how wings on butterflies are so very different than bees and birds and yet so much the same--amazing!
771. the way they noticed each "fallen" butterfly with broken wings
772. how bugs, worms and other insects attract her and she can even hold them and not be grossed out :)
773. how He makes even the ugly to appear beautiful, if you really look (this butterfly is the most gorgeous of all the ones we encountered--but only on the inside)
774. symmetrical beauty

775. camouflage--it's obvious now but wasn't so much before
776. mini airplanes--design taken from creation, of course
777. friendly beasts
778. more family time
779. the way they land on us
780. butterfly lovers
781. community--even for creatures
782. our own little, sleepy, delicate one.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Flutterbies


There's something so beautiful about the intricate, delicate, grace of butterflies. When I was a little girl, we used to call them "flutterbies". On Friday, my sisters and I packed up our ten kids, along with our cousin and headed to the Wings of Paradise Butterfly Conservatory. I literally marveled the moment we walked in the door. I had never been there before so it amazed me that these tiny creatures would alight on our arms, necks, backs, and legs! Getting up close and personal to tropical insects that we aren't accustomed to seeing was a special experience.
The warm "rain forest" environment also had birds, including a parrot and turtles and fish. I believe that we can only benefit when we take time to study God's creation in a real and tangible way. A great time, if you don't count Oliver whining because he was too hot or his twin two year-old cousins pushing the automatic wheelchair button by the door and trying to escape... the joys of homeschooling :)
Eden's t-shirt was a big attraction for many butterflies. Poor Emily wanted to have one land on her so badly.
Meghan was a little surprised when the parrot started pulling at her hair!
Jacob wondered why his neck felt ticklish.
Beautiful camouflage.
Drying out their wings just after emerging from their chrysalises.
Just like caterpillars, we are new creatures in Him!
Love this bird's little squeak-toy sound.
Finally, she got to hold one!
Oliver, studying the wings of butterflies who have "passed away".
Fearlessly hanging out with humans.
My two sisters with their cameras. This is what we look like wherever we go!