Yesterday, we added another name to our list of local mountain peaks conquered... Mount Tamalpais. Tamalpais, by the way is a combination of Coast Miwok words, meaning "coast [or sea] mountain". And I believe we have one Miwok ancestor, so visiting what was once theirs is an interesting experience.
We ended up hiking just over 7 miles during the afternoon, and of course, I took plenty of pictures, as did the kids!
 |
| On top of the world |
 |
| Photographing wildflowers |
 |
| The view |
 |
| Above the fog |
 |
| Amazing views that stretch out seemingly forever |
 |
| After the fog cleared |
 |
| Wildflowers 1 |
 |
| Wildflowers 2 |
 |
| Wildflowers 3 (and more) |
It was beautiful weather, and we could see so much from the top—San Francisco, the East Bay, bridges, the ocean, lakes, boats, the clouds... We enjoyed a picnic at the top, and spent the rest of the afternoon exploring.
...On the Agenda This Week...
Math, of course
Language Arts: 4 spelling lessons for The Girl (all review work); the beginnings of an expository essay for The Boy
Reading, to include the book on the Romanovs, and A Wrinkle in Time (no, we haven't quite finished it yet)
Then, I am trying to decide between a couple of books... either The Plant Hunters: True Stories of Their Daring Adenvtures to the Far Corners of the Earth, or Frost Hollows & Other Microclimates. The Boy was commenting a lot yesterday on all the microclimates he noticed during the hike, so that one might be good.
The Girl and I plan to work on identifying all the wildflowers we found, hence all the pictures. We know a few already, but there are some we're not sure about.
More Downton Abbey, naturally. We're in season three now!
Parkour (The Boy); derby (The Girl); roller skating for both (recreational); workouts for me, including a karate class.
We're also getting this book this week, and I already got these supplies to go with it (thanks, Erin!). I'm going to pick up a spiral-bound sketchbook for each of us too.
...Around the Home, Garden, & Kitchen...
The front yard, and backyard, look so much better with all the crazy-tall grass cut down! This week, I'm hoping we can move the Spanish lavender we had planned to move last week. My hyacinth beans, a gift from a friend, are coming up nicely—I'm hoping in time they will cover the chain link fence. My artichoke plants are ginormous, and have already given me two very tasty artichokes. The apple and cherry tree have bloomed, and there are the beginnings of tiny green cherries already!
I've decided against Monday as a slow-cooker day, because I'm gone for too long—the food overcooks. Instead, it is quick, pre-prepared foods on Mondays (like stir fry, which I can prep the night before!), or tonight's chicken burgers (again, prepped and waiting in the fridge). Wednesdays, when I can stop at home briefly on my lunch break, are better crockpot days.
And we're going to try to finish reorganizing and rearranging the family room this week.
...Random Thoughts...
Years ago, I purchased the book for Mapping the World With Art. I think it might be fun to break it out once a week, and draw the maps in a sketchbook. Maybe do some of the activities too. The Girl has been playing more of her virus game and is learning some geography, but since both enjoy drawing, making their own geography books might be fun!
And I've decided, since we primarily learn history and science through interest-led activities and readings, that I won't wait for "next year" (fall) to start things, like the map book. Strike while the iron is hot! There's my new motto for you.
Have a great week, and happy trails ahead!
You know, I have Mapping The Word With Art in a cupboard somewhere too.....thanks for reminding me!
ReplyDeleteThe dollar stores here sell spiral-bound, hard-covered sketch books that we grab for $2 a pop whenever they appear. We tried buying the good ones from the art supply store but then nobody wanted to "ruin" them by using them!
I'm so glad you liked the look of The Private Eye. It'll be so interesting to see how you're using it too! At the moment, we're looking at deer skulls and wasp nests from our nature table because it is still snowing almost every day (grrr....).