It's The Little Things: Empty Parks & Picnics

We are currently working on our second year of homeschooling at the Newman house. Although if you have been reading along for a while now chances are you already know that.
 Homeschooling has been the perfect fit for our family and has came with all kinds of unexpected perks
Like this.


Beautiful day, sunny skies and an empty park. No crazy kids pushing and climbing everywhere, no having to wait for the swings just us and some fresh air. It is nice to have the occasional quiet trip to the park. 
We met up with friends

Had a picnic.

Drew with chalk.

And played.

A picnic lunch away from home.

Something so simple, but such a day brightener for us.

It's The Little Things/ Summer Picnic

With the first day of school quickly approaching and swimming lessons starting up next week, I am starting to realize that our summer fun days are definitely numbered. So, we are "living it up" this week and that means having a picnic in the park with friends.

We met up at a local nature center with plans of going exploring. We didn't have to go far (or really anywhere) before the kids found the perfect spot to play. 
There it is, a bridge, water and rocks. Everything they needed to happily play for over an hour. 

And play they did.

They started out clean and dry, but they didn't stay that way for long. Especially the boys!

A little planking? She learned that from me :).

They pretended to be billy goats and a grumpy troll. 

And sat by the water. 

We played until we were to hungry to keep on, so we had a picnic.

Then we played some more.

They were just so sure they could some how climb this tree.

We had a great time and managed to stay cool enough to enjoy it... Until we went for a 1 mile walk at the end and nearly melted. No picture necessary!

Summer picnic, CHECK!

Have you been on a picnic lately?

End Of The Year Picnic

Happy Monday!
I am feeling particularly happy this typically dreaded Monday morning. 
Why, you ask. We are starting our LAST week of school! Woo hoo! Only 4 days left and summer officially begins.
We had a great weekend full of fun including: a picnic, Home Depot kids workshop, donuts, sunbathing, sunburns, slip and sliding, pizza, sewing, church and relaxing.
It all started on Friday when we had our last official gathering of the 2013/2014 co-op school year. 
First off was a picnic lunch

Then we had play time

Next, the kids did a few races just for fun.

Played with some hula hoops

And climbed a tree. Emily was pretty disappointed she wasn't big enough. 

It was a great way to wrap up the school year and the perfect start to a beautiful weekend!

How was your weekend?