Focus on Fall

This week in school we enjoyed the anticipation of fall. Even though the calendar says that fall is upon us, the world outside our window still reflects summer. The humidity continues, along with the green coloring of the trees. So, we decided to learn about signposts of fall and the things we have to look forward to, the changes we hope will soon occur.

As a family we walked through a local national forest where they have 'talking trees' that give you a tutorial on the age process of a forest. It was quite enjoyable. We were the only ones on the path, and as dusk began to fall the stillness crept around us. Micheal said, "Just imagine this dense forest, but no paths, no food, no lights, and being all alone....and someone is looking for you that you don't want to find you." When I told him to stop creeping me out, he just remarked that these are the fun things he got to experience in college. Once again I was reminded as to why I didn't choose a military academy! All in all it was a good experience. We saw a few things that we had not seen before like a brilliantly orange mushroom.

(Well, actually I had seen a cross-stitched cloth of the like at my friend Sarah Simpson's home, but I thought the colors of yarn we just selected to coordinate with my friend's mom's 70's orange counter tops! Not an actual fungus.) So, I took a picture.

Also, we spotted a few spectacular spider webs. This particular one is not in the forest though, it is in front of our house...pretty welcoming, huh? He was just so big, I wasn't going to kill him!

Along with decorating pumpkins, we bobbed for apples. Josiah wisely used the sides of the bowl to retrieve his. Elise used her hands and mouth. I went for the stem, and when I added rules to make it hard for Michael, he outsmarted them all by suctioning his apple out of the bowl!

To be involved in our communities activities, we enjoyed the fall festival in the old downtown. The highlight was definitely our encounter with the Power Rangers!

Next week we will enjoy The Story About Ping...and eventually pictures will follow.