Having in mind Charlotte Mason’s encouragment to get children into the fresh air, we pulled a plastic chair into the veggie garden for Michaela. I turned over a bucket to sit on so we could read together. The fresh air felt so good.
Well, one thing led to another and we pulled our plastic card table out into the veggie garden and placed a couple of chairs. It looked like a cozy little kitchen corner, minus the walls and ceiling.
We began reading about outdoor survival as part of our school lessons and we thought it’d be fun to really build a fire. Actually Michaela thought it would be fun and I’m easily manipulated into things like that. 
This led to pulling our little chiminea into the garden and gathering up dried grass and sticks. Our cute little outside kitchen was getting cuter and cuter.
If I have learned anything at all about home education, it’s that one thing leads to another and another and another. And also we badly needed some brain food.
So we dragged out an iron skillet and some cooking utensils, paper plates, drinks, napkins, and hot dogs. You have no idea how good hot dogs are when they are cut into little pieces and cooked in an iron skillet while you are reading about outdoor survival.
I could think so much better after this. Oh yeah, we brought out the peanut butter to put on our ginger snaps.
Actually, after the fired burned out and we had eaten an entire package of hot dogs, we tried building a fire using different types of tinder we found in the yard. It was an educational science lesson, though I will put a disclaimer right here about being careful with fire. Michaela is 11 and I was there supervising the whole time. And yes, I made Michaela pull her hair back because I did not like the looks of it swinging down near the door of the chiminea.
We invited Joseph to come out and eat with us and he seemed happy to oblige. At some point Joseph and Michaela transitioned to the more open end of our outdoor kitchen and started sword fighting with two heavy wooden garden stakes. Another disclaimer: Insert here whatever injury you think might occur from this type of behavior.
He’s basically letting her do all the hitting.
Get ‘im!
Ger ‘er!
Get ‘im!!
Get ‘im again!
Get ‘er!
Oh, look, a tie! Let’s stop now before someone ends up minus an eye or something.
By the way, we did squeeze in lots of Saxon math and some good mommy daughter talks and some great review of recent co-op and fieldtrip events.
Lynn
for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
What a wonderful afternoon for the three of you! You’re making such wonderful memories for your children!!
Have a great Friday, Lynn!
Mich/ivy
The sword-fighting can count as PE!
Your kids must feel like the most blessed kids in all of NC!
What a sweet, happy post to read today!
Teresa in Texas
Dear Lynn,
Oh, what memories they’ll have when they’re older! I love the outdoor kitchen.
Love,
Marqueta
Hi, Lynn,
I just noticed that Michaela is using Saxon Math – I happen to have the Saxon 65 & 76 that we no longer use and I’m looking to donate – if you’re interested I’d be happy to send them on down to you.
I enjoyed your outdoor cafe!
-Liane
Wow, looks like a day of homeschool at our house! We went ahead and built our own firepit with large garden stones a few years ago. In the fall and spring, we use it several times a week. Love the smell of food cooking outside on a crisp fall day. Ah..
Hi Lynn,
What a great way to experience learning. I love the stream of consciousness that allows the journey of learning you share with you children. I suddenly want roasted hot dogs! Have a terrific day. Thanks for sharing…
Diane
Michele, we enjoyed it SO much!! We’ll certainly do it again.
MamaHen, that’s EXACTLY what I was thinking.
Teresa, thank you! I hope they have happy memories from it all. I know I will.
Marqueta, we think the outdoor kitchen is nice. I know you love being outside.
Liane, thank you so much for offering the books. Michaela is in 7/6 and we have everything we need for that. Thanks again!
Wendy, I keep saying I’m going to build an outdoor oven. I just never get it done. A fire pit is an excellent idea!! I know you all much enjoy that greatly, and you are really using it which is what I need to be consistent in — make something and then use it! Thanks for leaving a comment!
Diane, it was indeed fun. I know you love hands-on, interactive learning/teaching. It makes things easier to remember I think. The hot dogs were good!
Lynn
We just got a used chiminea from a friend of my husband’s. I’ll have to remember this for next summer. It will be great for the kids to be able roast hot dogs and marshmallows for s’mores over the fire. Thanks for the great idea.