School at Silver Falls

I was telling a friend that one of the challenges of my busy life homeschooling with little ones is that I don't do as much "fun" stuff as I would like with the children.  I envisioned my weeks filled with nature walks, field trips, baking, arts and crafts, homeschooling mostly through thematic units, and making a big deal out of every holiday with cooking and decorations.  I find adventures exciting and exploring such a great way to learn.  Then I met reality...I discovered that I can't fit 48 hours of activities into a 24 hour day.  I discovered that dishes and laundry and meals and clutter clean and vacuuming take up HOURS every day.  I discovered that balancing babies and toddlers with homeschooling is a juggling act.  I discovered that homeschooling is nothing like teaching in a classroom.  I discovered that having children is exhausting!   I discovered that my ideals are completely unrealistic!

So, with all that being said, I was determined to do something this week that was out of the ordinary and "fun" as defined by me.   So...this is what a fun adventure looks like in the Kelly household.  Brace yourself!

I decided in the early am that we were going to do a school outing.  We have done this a few times and Willamette Mission Park was our destination.  I cleaned out the 'homeschooling on the go' box and loaded it up with our homeschooling - Bible stories, devotional book, math workbooks, novel, lots of picture books for the little ones, literature books, my art book, papers, crayons, pencils, erasers, clipboards, etc..  I put together a diaper bag with diapers, wipes, sweatshirts.  I supervised lunch making, water bottles filled, tea in a thermos, unloading the dishwasher, sent children to dress appropriately, and helped the little ones get dressed.  I made breakfast and the children ate.  Phil took the van to work since he had an early Bible study that was a bit of a drive and had to run it back on a break and help switch over a carseat.  By the time the above was accomplished, it was almost 10:00.  Time to load up.  I directed children to use the bathroom and helped with shoes and made several trips back and forth to the car.  Back inside for a poopy diaper change.  Sent another child back inside for appropriate footwear.  Oh no, I forgot about dinner.  I chop carrots and onions and beef into cubes and throw it all in the crockpot with spices and tomato sauce.  Now it is 10:15 and I realize that I forgot to eat.  I make an egg, and some tea and eat while turning off lights and doing some last minute necessities.  10:30 and we are finally driving away.  

We get a few miles outside of Silverton and a dense fog was covering the valley.  We decided to go up to Silver Falls instead.  I turn around and we head back toward home as I realize that I am wearing flip flops instead of walking shoes.  After changing my shoes and jumping back in the car, I see the gas light go on.  So, back to Silverton we go for a fill up before we head out for the third time!  

Destination at Silver Falls, 11:45.  I get the stroller set up and packed with all the essentials and then supervise jackets and a potty stop before we attempt to find a place to school that isn't sopping wet with dew.  We find the perfect spot under the tall trees and set up "camp".  The sun is warm. I can almost smell the scent of pine through my stuffed nose (we are all recovering from colds).  There was a moment...just a moment of pure bliss.  B was shortly in time out, strapped in the stroller, and Glorielle decided to cry the ENTIRE Bible reading and novel reading session which included falling on a clipboard and slicing her hand.  We cut school short and had lunch.  Then it was off for a lovely Autumn walk.  And it truly was lovely.

By 2:30, we were ready to head out.  We had an errand to run (picking up some beef bones) and finally arrived home at 3:30.  I unloaded the car, unpacked for the day, got potatoes in the oven, a salad made, the kitchen cleaned, and had the older two children read to Phil so they could get some literature in for the day.  

I reminded myself that there is definitely a reason why we don't lead a spontaneous, adventurous kind of lifestyle on a weekly basis!  It just isn't possible at this stage in life.  Soon, I think it just might be!  I can do so much with the older 3 but with 5 and little ones, it just isn't realistic.

Thank goodness for a workhorse of a double stroller!  Here it is packed with the school box, blankets, pillows, lunch, waterbottles, camera, my purse, crocheting (ha ha ha ha, I always bring it but never get to it), and of course the littlest one.  


On the trail 
A perfect spot under the pine trees.

School

Lunch


Pb and J, juice boxes, and "Is there anything else to eat?"

Walking the trails


Resting

Could you imagine a more luxurious chariot than one covered with blankets, pillows, and fall leaves?

Autumn loveliness:


Lazy streams, 

Fallen leaves caught up in the rapids, 
Golden leaves,

Bridges,


And of course, the Falls,

South Falls in its Autumn glory.

At the viewpoint. 

Homeward Bound. 
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