Field Trip: The Bosque

I decided that for the remainder of the school year (and hopefully throughout the summer), we will take a weekly field trip. There are a couple of reasons Matthew and I think this is a good idea, but I think the main reason is to create happy memories. This has been such a unique time, and I think they will look back on their Covid homeschool experience with general fondness and positive feelings, but I'd like them to have some particular memories from it as well. I also want them to have happy memories with me specifically. They keep mentioning how Dad is the fun one, and it's totally true. He wrestles and teases, buys random treats, plays video games, is into rock music, jumps on the trampoline, and is usually amenable to spontaneous adventure. I'm the one who keeps them on task and tells them to get stuff done. I'm not good with messes, loudness, or chaos. I am not remotely spontaneous. I'm reasonable, which keeps our lives running smoothly, but isn't all that much fun. I think both of us as parents play an important role and we make a balanced team, but I don't want the kids looking back and thinking I only cared about getting things done. I don't want them to think I never played with them, or spent time just enjoying their company. There are plenty of those moments, but they are usually quick cuddles, or conversations, or the rapid response to the call of MOM fifty times a day. They are small, quiet little moments throughout their days that create a general sense of love and well-being, but aren't likely to be looked back on and remembered with particular acuteness. I'm happy to play my part, but would like to bank at least a few distinct "remember that one time..." moments with them.

Today we went to the Bosque. I printed out a wildlife scavenger hunt, we picked a trail along the river, and searched for signs of wildlife. Highlights of our nature walk included a water snake, which we watched for several minutes struggle against the current, a lizard doing push-ups, and a woodpecker high in a tree.