Friday, January 27, 2012

Boys, mud & floods

In the wake of our recent rains, Wyatt was asking about floods. So, after trying to unsuccessfully create a river & flood in our sandbox I brought them to a local creek to recreate a riverbed, lake & flood. Of course boys + water + mud is always fun! :)

In the course of this we had a discussion about panning for gold, throwing rocks, dams breaking & not going to Target afterwards because 2 boys are covered in mud. :) I should have known better.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Who says learning has to happen at home?

Need proof that homeschooling is becoming much more mainstream than it has been in years past?
Red River Ski Area in Red River, NM had a whole week
deemed as "Homeschool Week" and offered great deals on lift tickets!
It just so happened that we were looking for a good excuse to go skiing and that was it! ;0)

Before we began homeschooling, I found myself using opportunities while on
vacation to teach. Any parent can do this, whether you homeschool or not.
Going to the beach or mountains or NASA or NYC? There are a million opportunities to learn!
Yes, we had fun skiing on this trip but we also had opportunities to learn & teach along the way.
No better or more fun way to learn if you ask me! :)


Reading & Math got done during our very long  drive.
Roadtrips are a great way to incorporate Geography too!


This natural rock formation sparked some good conversation....


Art in the snow? Why not!? :)
Simply fill bottles with food coloring & water
and let the kids paint in the snow! :)

Both boys skied and that's something they can't do in Texas!
Seeing the pride and excitement on their faces was all I needed from this trip.

Until next time..........
Blessings!



Thursday, January 12, 2012

Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center

I'm finding that we all love 'school' best when we are out and about rather than sitting at our
classroom desk. The boys love learning that way (I think MOST boys prefer that) and I love
teaching that way. Again, homeschooling is really just an extension of parenting.
Life is a classroom.

Since we only have 'school' 4 days a week, we usually take 1 of the weekdays to go on a
nature walk or some sort of outing. This week we chose the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center.
I wanted the boys to see it in winter when the vegetation is lacking as a comparison
for when we go back in the spring/summer.
(and admission is free in January - Deal!)

We had a great time exploring the plants, finding seed pods, learning about native plants 
and hiking along the trails. We enjoyed a snack at the cafe on site complete with Hibiscus Mint Tea and gluten free chocolate cake. Oh My! YUM! :)

Minnows!

Following big brother....

Interested

the boys

End of a hike



Friday, January 6, 2012

Welcome semester #2

We made it through our first semester of homeschooling and are now beginning our second.
It hasn't been without challenges, which I knew I would encounter from the get-go but overall
it has been rewarding and fun! Wyatt has zero interest in going back to 'regular school'
which reassures me that we have made the right decision.
The Lord has blessed us in this journey and despite the days that I
question myself and my abilities I am reminded that He led us here
and He has a plan and that when it comes down to it, plowing through
workbooks and math problems and spelling lists is not the goal.
Raising respectful, God-loving boys who have a life-long love of learning is.
And I am beginning to see Wyatt's spark return to his eyes in learning now.
Finally.