Outdoor School

Well it's no secret that I love to take my kids to the forest to let them release some energy in a safe environment. But recently I've loved going to the forest for another reason.
I've been studying a lot about educating my children. I've specifically been reading this book...

The first factor that was discussed in the book was that formal education is much different than what it used to be,  Kindergarten now has the same curriculum that 1st grade once had  Much more is required of young children. Kindergarten used to be a time to learn from play and exploration. Now it is requiring Kindergartners to read and write. Also, competition has been removed from schools (a huge reason boys had cared about succeeding) The #1 school system in the World is in Finland and they don't start any formal education until age 7. At the age of 5 boys' brains are not ready to learn to read in the same way that girls' brains are. Boys also have a much harder time sitting still. Another big difference in schools today is there is less experiential learning (in and out of school) and more hands-off learning. Anyway, there are a ton of facts and studies that I found fascinating but all of it just verified my beliefs that my boys need to play and explore to learn...and so we went to the forest for the first of 2 times this week. 

On Tuesday, my boys were grumps, which made me not-so-happy. I was worried they were going to injure each other. I decided we needed to get out of the house and the forest has been my go-to place. It's close and free and the boys can run their little hearts out. (I'm sure I've said that before on one of my millions of forest posts) (Also, my forest pictures might look all the same to you readers. haha but I continue to take more and more) 

My boys are so happy here! Charlie tried to go a little of the beaten path.

They were so much nicer to each other in the forest!

Miles got a little upset when Charlie pulled him down (I think it was an accident) I didn't think it was that bad but he still has bruises on his face from this fall.

So one of my favorite parts of this trip was Charlie teaching his brother about roots. Here he is pointing and showing Miles the roots.

And some good climbs.

Then both boys worked on a "House for the ants"

And I don't know how we missed this tree slide before, it's on our usual loop.

So much happier in the forest.

Until Miles pushed Charlie off of the log.

He said he wasn't going to Smile for me, but he always smiles for me!

This is the helicopter that Miles and Charlie co-piloted. they flew to California to visit Charlie's friends Madeleine.

Anyway, another educating day for my boys. It makes me happy that I can be home with them and allow them to explore in this way. I'm still not sure if putting Charlie in a pre-school will be beneficial for him next year to help him ease into kindergarten the following year (Oregon now has only full day Kindergarten...boo) We'll figure that out as we get closer, as of now he is all about running and creating and being outside. Anyway, these are just some things I found interesting and have helped me figure out what is best for my kids. 

A party for Everett

On Saturday, Everett was celebrating his second birthday in Tacoma. It turned out that Max's was going to be gone all day at a conference. So we decided to take another day trip to Tacoma and have some good cousin time. We decided to leave after an early lunch so we spent the beautiful crisp morning playing in the yard and on all the logs from the trees that are being cut down. 

This Miles is a cheeseball, I wasn't even pointing my camera at him but he went over, leaned on the log, and started saying "Cheeeese!"

But really, did I just blink and he grew into a big boy?

Watching his wild big brother!

"Choo Choo"

After an early lunch, we headed up to Tacoma. The boys slept for a chunk of it and I was able to listen to an audio book. It was an enjoyable drive.

We got there a couple hours before the party so we could have extra cousin time. My boys love their cousins so much. And it blows Charlie's mind that they have their very own playground in their yard.

Gwenevere is starting piano lessons soon so she showed me some of her skills and piano books.

Everett was having a "Chugga Chugga two two!": birthday party, so there were trains all around. Gwenevere and Elizabeth designed this cool photo booth!

I had so much fun being an aunty too. I love playing with those little nieces and nephew.

These boys were cracking me up, they kept taking turns pointing to the bike and saying bike! It's like they got more excited each time it was their turn to point it out!

It was then time to frost the train cake. The kids gathered around waiting for Elizabeth to offer them a little drop of frosting.

It makes me happy that these sweet boys have each other!

Then there was some playdough time in the yard

Gwenevere made Charlie a play dough nose. They both thought this was hilarious.

Shortly after the party began, there were sloppy joes to be eaten! So naturally we had to take photos of the sloppy faces!

And Everett opened all his train related gifts, Miles was pretty excited about Everett's new toys :)

The above photo reminded me of the photo below that was taken one year ago. 

And to top the sloppy Joe faces, everyone had frosting and sprinkle faces!

We hung out for awhile after the party as well. 

When it was bedtime I put the boys in their jammies, brushed their teeth, and started the drive home. They mostly slept but then had random out bursts of crying. We got home safe and sound and the boys transferred nicely to their beds. I was so glad we went up even if it was such a short trip. I love that my kids have so much fun with their cousins! And it was so fun to celebrate with Everett!