Sometimes – the thing we talk about the most in our Nature Studies – are the objects that we didn’t find on the day of our intentional walk. Like the buttercup – above. We found the plant, but not the flower. Now, every time we go out – the boys point it out, like a prize. Each time, there is a change in the plant – and now they can notice it – today’s  joy-  the white developing around the edges. I have never noticed this detail before.

Mom – I HAVE to show you something! Do you know how the video showed that one bloom dies before another starts to open? Do you remember how we saw the yellow Iris at the lake only had one bloom? I found an Iris that has two full blooms!

Pale Lavender, Almost White, to the darkest of Purples and Blues, Yellows –
Many varieties!

Jon’s new favorite flower above.

A whole trail of Buttercups, left to the side, by the vegetation compost piles.
Beautiful – and teaming with life! The boys left a patch to grow in our yard too on the last mowing day.

Lots of discussion on Pollination while looking at this patch.

“Mom! Is this why you didn’t want us to pull that ‘weed’? Is this one of those Mullein plants? This is so cool its about to bloom, and you can see. . . . .” and on and on he went being able to “see” our study on Mullein from this winter. Although it is ideal to have the object to observe, we have found joy learning about the object and then knowing it, like an old friend, when we find it!

( I didn’t get perspective right in this photo, maybe it’s the shorts and sweatshirt, but Nate is topping six foot tall, and this Mullein is pretty close too!)

Dogwood? Do they double flower? The white flower, and then the seed, and then these yellow pink flowers? or did it flower again? Curious.

One of these times I’ll have to put a recorder in my pocket to get one of their conversations. We are working towards having end of year exams for the boys, most of them are completed verbally before I ever get to making up an exam sheet. I am always thrilled to hear them recap the seasons’ learning – I try not to jump up and down – I’m pretty calm on the outside.

When we knew we would study the Iris, we knew we had to head to our favorite garden in town, the Connie Hansen Garden. It is my favorite place for  a quiet nature stroll. You may read the history on the Garden’s Website – she choose this spot specifically to plant her favorite plant in – Iris.

Jon was thrilled that one of the caretakers let him have a bamboo pole.

What you can’t hear during our walk is the soundtrack going in the background. We are a block from the Pacific Ocean, the waves are roaring. The garden is so full of warblers and other birds, their voices compete with each other – after the garden we walked down to look at the beach –

I like this kid. He’s starting 9th grade officially this month. He’s just a fine young man, a joy to have in my home and family – a joy to learn with. I look forward to learning with him the next 4 years and beyond.  Teen boys are Awesome.

OHC – Iris Study Challenge

Petra School – Iris and Pollination Study

Charlotte Mason Style Exams