I knew there would be so many wonderful things to look forward to by staying home with the kids. Doing crafts, taking field trips, making cookies, etc. There is one thing, though, that I really didn’t expect to love as much as I do… nature.

I’ve never been much of an outdoorsy kind of gal… yeah, I get cold really easy, and I don’t care for that super hot weather either. None of that has changed by having children, but what has changed is my ability to spend time watching the natural world through my windows.

Everyday, we open all of the window shades to get the light shining in the house. We put out a bird feeder a few weeks ago and it has provided so much entertainment and education for me and the kids. (If you are a frequent visitor, you might remember the Great Squirrel Fight of 08.)

We have a pair of cardinals that we watch everyday, lots of geese that fly overhead, and the quick yet surprisingly plump bunnies that hop through the yard… it’s fabulous! I use the animals and nature as a way to learn colors, practice counting, and even describe different emotions (eg. “The naughty squirrel ran away because he was scared!”)

It’s coming up on one year since I have been home with the kids. We’ll say goodbye to snow and winter in a few weeks and look forward to watching our flowers bloom come spring. We’ve watched all of the seasons now and I am truly thankful that I’m able share them and the natural world with my kids.

If you get the chance to watch the world outside of your home or office, enjoy it! It’s spectacular.