Field Trip Week

Some weeks, there isn't a lot of HOME in our homeschool. But on-the-go learning is the best, anyway, so we aren't complaining. 

Peanut and I went to the Oakland Museum of CA as a follow up for some of our CA history we've been studying this year. It had been a few years since we'd been and so it was mostly new to him.

This exhibit on recycling was pretty incredible.

We explored the natural history area, which tied in really nicely to some of our recent nature group field trips.

And we spent a long time in the Native American section. This was a fun history unit and the museum has a lot of great things that we recognized, like this fish trap which we had read about in the book, Adopted by Indians.

We spent another afternoon hiking in Del Valle. I love this area in the spring when the hills are all green.

Along with looking for birds and wildflowers and other signs of spring, we also brought along our read aloud because you can't beat a view like this while you're reading.

I managed to get a few miles out of this kid, too. He prefers hikes with friends for actually going much of a distance because apparently I'm not exciting enough to distract him from the pain, haha.

But it was too lovely to turn back.

I love these weeks when we have time to get out of the house and explore.

 

A Little Holiday

Valentine's Day seemed like a good day for a Poetry Tea Time. We haven't made this happen this year, even though it's always a favorite activity, but it's been hard to fit in extras most weeks.

We enjoyed a few poems, a new blood orange bread from Trader Joes, and tea, of course.

We also got out for a quick bike ride through the park to see all the almond blossoms in full bloom.

Morning sunlight is supposed to be great for our bodies and minds, and I do think it makes a difference on the days we get out early.

These blooms are so beautiful--just wish they lasted longer.

And this was too funny--sweet bunny looking longingly out the window. She wants to be out there so badly.

 

Saturday Fun

Bean, Peanut, and I went to explore a new park on the bay in Fremont.

We "hiked" along the water,

and spent quite a bit of time trying to identify the birds we saw. (We also realized this would be a better bird spot in the morning, so the sun isn't behind them, making everything just look like dark blobs.)

And while we were hiking, Daddy-o cashed in on one of his gifts--a boy's day with Bug. They went bowling, miniature golfing, to the arcade at Dave and Buster's, and out for burgers and pie at Nation's.

 

Glowfari at the Zoo

I decided to splurge and get tickets to the Oakland Zoo's Glowfari and I'm so glad that we went! Started it off with a gorgeous sunset view from the restaurant at the top of the hill.

And then we spent a couple hours exploring the lanterns that were set up all over the zoo.

They were beautiful.

And huge!

It was a really fun evening.

And always good to have new things to get us outside. Winter can be harder, so events like this get us out there when we might otherwise just stay home and watch another movie.

 

Mushroom Madness 2022 Edition

I can't get enough of the fungi. I've found some great hikes this winter and am relishing all of the mushrooms we've found.

It started with Peanut and I getting out to explore a couple spots for a potential field trip in January.

We found a few interesting specimens 

and picked the spot to bring our nature group to the next week.

I love when we find a variety of colors.

(Lichen are pretty cool, too.)

The field trip day was amazing. We ended up going to the same area of Sycamore Grove as where they've done their official Mushroom Madness activity in past years.

And the kids were so good at spotting these treasures--I had walked right by this mushroom that was only just coming out of the soil, but one of the kids saw it and called me over.

We found a lot of different types.

And an amazing variety of color--red,

blue,

yellow,

oranges,

and even purple!

Some pretty cool textures, too.

And the kids LOVED this display of bones that have been found in the park.

One girl even found a jawbone to add to the collection.

We love exploring nature with this group of kids each month!

But the best mushroom hike was over on the SF peninsula at La Purisima with these three one Saturday morning. It started off as a misty wet morning, which was magical on it's own.

And then we started finding mushrooms. So many different ones, along with a couple dozen banana slugs, and even a newt at the end. It was a fabulous hike, even if it did involve too much uphill for a couple of my kids. But they put up with it so I could find all the mushrooms. So, here's more mushroom pictures than anyone wanted (and a cute newt video):