Our Homeschool Week - On the Road

In my life this week…  
Most of you know - we've been on the road again! I'll be sharing our experiences over the next few weeks. It's been an awesome journey. 

In our homeschool this week…

We've been homeschooling on the road. It's been a "spring break - homeschool" kind of couple of weeks. We've enjoyed special friends and  family, but we've enjoyed some special field trips and learning along the way. 

It hasn't all been easy. We stopped at the Ocmulgee National Monument outside of Macon, GA - the boys had been fighting before I snapped this lovely picture: 

(but, the monument - mounds and museum were super cool) 

Mostly, we had an awesome time - both with friends and on our own adventures. 

We visited Fort Puloski in Savannah, GA - the boys loved it and it was extremely educational - the history in Savannah is rich and includes great stories from both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.

 I'm pretty sure the boys primarily liked the cannons!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

I really hope to encourage you to get out on the road. We managed our trip with the help of some generous and gracious homeschool friends who were kind enough to host us in their homes. It was such a blessing being with other homeschool families who love the Lord and seek His will for their life. 

We aren't exactly like them, we all have differences, but when you love the Lord and choose to homeschool your family - there is often common ground on which to bond. I'm so grateful for the friendships we've cemented along the way. My children are still talking about their new friends, and I got to visit with women who encourage me on a regular basis online. 

We also got to see family and long time friends we've loved for years. I'm eternally grateful to my favorite cousin - and close sista friend - for keeping the boys while I went to Apologia Live. (more about that incredible  convention later) 

The adventures and friends we've enjoyed

 on this trip will not soon be forgotten! 

One of the beauties of homeschooling is that it doesn't have to be Spring Break to have these adventures. The experiences along the way have enriched the education of my children and inspired us to dig in to learn more. 

There are simple ways to incorporate learning along the way: 

My "Chief Navigator/ map reader" 

The boys played 7 hours straight of Monopoly with Carrie's kiddos - 

(my sweet friend from Young Living Oil Lady) 

Math, negotiating, estimating values - it was fun listening to them and we further solidified the bond we've already made with them from our last adventure - here. 

We didn't have to spend money to walk through the historic city in Savannah - to soak up local culture - although we did spend just a tad on their famous Pralines and fudge! 

Visiting Fort Pulaski cost a total of $5 for parking and I spent $8 on replicas of original historic documents from the Civil War period in order to help my children gain a more solid understanding of the important events which have shaped our Nation. 

We also traveled with food - I kept a cooler as a traveling refrigerator and stopped at Publix and Kroger a couple of times for fresh chicken and cheese to put in our tortilla "roll ups" - they are tastier and more nutritious than peanut butter and jelly. I shared more of our "on the road food" on our weekly link up here. 

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
I cannot believe I didn't get more pics of our visit with Carrie's family - we had so much fun I forgot to whip out the camera! Here are a few from Historic Savannah: 

Down by the water near one of the forts

Sitting on cobblestone steps - with rock and antique brick wall - loved it! 

In front of Riverfront Candy Shoppe along the Riverfront in Historic Downtown

My favorite thing this week was…

Visiting with people we love - spending time on the road with the boys! 


Freedom Friday: 
We are counting our trip to Fort Pulaski for this weeks Freedom Friday - we'll be catching up with our free videos from Mom's Mustard Seed and Founders Academy this week - and learn more about Political Parties as well as reviewing our newly acquired "official documents" from the History museum. 


Homeschool Freebies and Favorite Resources: 
We used our ASTC (Association of Science and Technology Centers) passport program to visit several museums for free along our journey! I highly recommend you check into joining your local ASTC museum and enjoy it! Read more about this awesome program here.  Don't forget to tell the museum curators (ASTC or otherwise) that you homeschool. We were given free disks and maps from Ocmulgee National Monument and free teacher info packs from Fort Puloski National Monument - You can download free curriculum from Ocmulgee here and free curriculum from Fort Puloski here


*I find that I do not always agree with information from the museums - some time frames are different than what we believe and some perspectives also differ - but I use it as an opportunity to teach my boys about what other opinions are out there. I never want them to be confused about WHY we believe differently than others. It's a wonderful teaching opportunity. Most of the material is perfectly suited to our homeschool. 


3 in 30: 
Although I haven't been able to stick strictly to my goals while on the road - I have gained invaluable inspiration and information from Rebecca, Kelli, and Carrie on improving my health. 


Our homeschool is refreshed and renewed from our journey. We have new curriculum and new inspiration and have had rich educational experiences. 


Blogging has been a bit of a hit or miss- I've kept up with it as best as I could along the way. I am definitely learning and putting my blog calendar to good use. I am extremely happy with connections I made at TTD  - it's a special convention with Christian companies I am looking to partner with. Awesome time! I also wrote out my "mission statement" this month. You can read it under my link for "Contact and Social Media Services" above or the link here.

               

 

    

Photo Prompts - 1000 Gifts - 52 Photos Project

Color With Emotion 

The emotion is evoked in me from the memory that each photo bears: 

Balloons- Saying goodbye to special people - Letting Go 

Tulips (I love tulips) Adventure with the boys as we journeyed into lands unknown

This day we left our temporary home in Louisville and visited the Creation Museum just 

outside of Cincinnati, Ohio - we hadn't planned to stay the night - but we crossed the state 

line after a full day at the museum and went to see the big city lights. 

An exciting adventure for us - used to our small beach town. 

We found a hotel, bought toothbrushes, t-shirts and necessities from an outlet store -

The next day we parked downtown and walked for miles through the city visiting museums and 

art galleries along the way. We hit the mother load at the Cincinnati Museum Center at 

Union Terminal where we found - the Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children's Museum, 

The Cincinnati Museum of Natural Science and History  - The boys still talk about their first ever 

taxi ride they took that day as we, tired and happy, made our way back to the car parked downtown.

It was a lovely adventure!

The clear blue pools of water found  in the springs near the Suwannee River
- this is Ichetucknee Springs

We love to travel to beautiful places during their "off season" times - we had the beach in 

St. Augustine almost all to ourselves and had a lovely time exploring and camping in the area!

Here sits a fine, good man! He is our private "guide" and full of interesting tid-bits on nature.

Mark is actually a pro-fishing guide - you can find him here

Many calm evenings spent by the glistening water watching "the ball drop" as our children

play happily near by. We even get to hold hands and take a walk sometimes! 

On our journey's we like to "Stop to Smell the Wildflowers" you never know what 

surprise you might find just around the next corner - if you're willing to see the little things

HE whispers to me "Look smaller" and I notice - HE says "Smaller still" and I then I see!

So many wonderful discoveries to be made in His Creation 

This pretty bee calls the Oscar Scherer State Park home 

This bright "Bird of Paradise" serves as a reminder of a very special day! 

We visited Ponce de Leon's legendary "fountain of youth" at Warm Mineral Springs 

It was the day boy #2 gave his heart and life to follow Christ - we floated around the warm pool 

as we talked of deep and amazing things. He demonstrated his understanding of God's 

unconditional love - It's a favorite adventure for that reason.

Just another day at home. You never know where you may find adventure.

We love to stop everything and observe!

"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46: 10 

I adore this babe from Babcock Ranch - we are fortunate enough to have been able to camp there

with friends - It's a fun way to learn about early pioneers in Florida as Florida is 

actually the original cattle state and thus brought the nickname "Florida Cracker" 

(from the whips cracking in the wind) 

The world's most beautiful bouquet!! 

One of the best things about being surrounded by boys - they LOVE their Mommy!  

even camping - they bring me "flowers" 

(yes, it's a violation of the "leave only footprints and take only pictures" rule- 

but a few weeds here and there are hard to turn down from sweet dirty faced boys) 

And I count to #1000 Gifts and Beyond- 

-My Joy Pockets-

#132 - dirty faces 

#133 - bumble bees and other bugs which fascinate and hold captive 

#134 - a fine good man 

#135 - colors of nature 

#136 - everyday adventures 

#137 - gentle spirits in little wild boys 

#138 - quiet moments to be still 

#139 - beauty in the tiniest of details 

#140 - the whisper 

Linking Up With: 

Homeschool Mother's Journal - Christmas Joy

Share your own journal post with me! Click HERE to find out how.

In my life this week… well, You really have to read THIS to see what special adventure we've been up to! Suffice it to say, I highly recommend taking strangers into your home. I just can't say enough good stuff about our special visit with homeschool friends - we met through blogging and twitter. 

Yes, it's different. Yes, it could be risky. Yes, it was one of the most amazing times ever. 

My husband would have thought I'd lost my mind, but- he's met me - and quite frankly, just wasn't THAT surprised when I made the announcement that I had invited "internet" friends to come and stay with us. He had a few questions. It came down to, "if you're sure" - and I was. 

You can meet my friend Carrie here on her blog - she talks about homeschool, her heart for Jesus, and health -n- wellness! 

  

I don't share this because I think you should invite any 'ole body into your home- I certainly am not interested in taking chances with my family. But, there are some people that I know for a fact God has sent into my life- using this blog & the homeschool community on Twitter. My point is, when you know someone is a gift from God, you don't have to question it. I'm so very thankful for people He puts in my life- from church, from the neighborhood, local area, sports with the kids, and here. 

Thank you sweet people for reaching out- to me, to each other. Keep encouraging and lifting others up and God will use it! 

In our homeschool this week… well, see above - this link- and. . . . . we took our company on a tour of the Boca Grande Lighthouse from 1890

We learned about the history of our area - which includes the Calusa Indians, who were responsible for the death of Ponce de 'Leon and were fierce warriors and rulers of many tribes across Florida. They used local shells - like the Welk for tools, weapons, and necessities. 

We learned to identify some species of shell and sharks teeth fossils too! We also collected a good supply to send home with our new friends! (we love sharks teeth and shells, but it's even more fun to find friends to share them with) 

Before our friends arrived- I met up with a group of homeschoolers from one of my Yahoo groups at Legoland, FL! What a blessing! That was an awesome time for the boys and an affordable way to enjoy another adventure. 

All Made out of LEGO's !!!

How cool is that? 

From African Safari's to the Golden Gate Bridge and cross country to 

New York Cities Statue of Liberty 

Travel in Lego'ville to small scale Lego cities made to replicate the real deal! 

 Legoland Rocks! 

It took care of a lot of Geography this week! (for real it went well with what we'd been reading)

We are also working on our Truth in Tinsel ebook and enjoying the crafts that go with it each day! 

It's not to late to jump in and share this lovely way to count down to Christmas with your family. Here is the link to get your own ebook - we are doing two each day to catch up - but you really don't have to - there are three choices, so you have shorter versions available. 

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… have fun together! Make fun homeschool friends - let me know if your kiddos need "pen pals" from Florida - we still have another "Florida box" to get out to some friends in Georgia. We'll be happy to exchange "state/city" info with you as well if you'd like. (I think it is a fun way to do some extra geography while we're at it) 

My favorite thing this week was…

Questions/thoughts I have… why is it that I discover a problem with my Christmas lights only AFTER I've worked for hours putting them all on the tree?

I’m praying for…there are so many people hurting right now. The holidays have a way of stressing people out, bringing up heartache for those who've lost loved ones and more. I think this year, there are more people and families hungry and hurting than ever. 

Praying for several friends who have various requests and need support like my sweet friend Renee, healing for others like Ells, others who have left comments and reached out here on the blog for prayer, and support. *Please feel free to do so! 

and as always- I'm praying for my children, lifting up my youngest whom we adopted at eight months. (He's still struggling with issues that are NOT his fault) There is progress being made *Praise Jesus! 

Speaking of adoption - I'm praying for my new friend Natasha from Mother of Seven who has been a wealth of information and encouragement with our little guy. God is working a miracle in our baby and in our home. 

Praying for our upcoming project, well- it's Amanda's project from The Pelsers  but, I am fortunate enough to be able to participate by contributing an article - Beginning in January - we'll be doing an online book club study on this book: 

*I do hope you'll consider participating with us - it'll be a great time of bonding and support as we learn more about really loving our children in the way God intended!  Very Exciting!!!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share

Romans 15:7 
“Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.”

Be the Light! 

If at all possible- I'd like to encourage you to get outside with your family and enjoy exploring God's Creation with them this season! (even if you have to bundle up)                              

For ideas on how to do that check out my articles here.

*Dawn @dsblanchard - if you read this please leave me your email address or your blog link so I can connect with you! Thank you for your sweet comments - I can't find ya! :)