Mountain Lions and Picnics and Sodas...oh MY!

We went on a Field Trip yesterday with our local Home Educators Group to one of my favorite little tows 45 minutes away and had a blast! We first perused the Mountain Lion Exhibit being sponsored at a college. Of course in the hustle and bustle of shepherding five children out of the van and into the building I forgot the camera. But the kids and I (and the entire group of more than 25 kids and their parents) thoroughly enjoyed the mountain lion "bone clones" of their skulls, the fifty million times Leah pressed the buttons as we listened to the blood curdling mating calls of female mountain lions and other sounds they make, and looking at the taxidermied displays. Roman wanted to know how they died. Apparently they were roadkill.

After a nice picnic in the park where the kids got to release lots of pent up energy, we headed dowtown to a local soda bottling factory. To say the kids were entranced is an understatement. I had to drag Roman away from the bottling machines as he would probably still be standing there mesmerized by the swoosh-swoosh-swooshing of the Rootbeer as it poured into the bottles and the CLINK as the caps were sealed on. Afterwards the kids were allowed to pick out their favorite soda selection and then we headed back home.

It was a long, full day. Teagan was so tired that she fell asleep in the shower at 6:30 that night. Which is why we are both up at 5:30 this morning. But, I digress. It was a great day.

Air Show

We took the kids to the Air Show last weekend. For 25 bucks we spent the morning perusing the airport lot wandering aroud checking out all kinds of planes, watching them 'do tricks' in the air, and wondering how Fuddruckers can really get away by charging $6 for a hamburger.

Hali and Melody were pretty fascinated by the whole ordeal. But Hali was also pretty tired of Mom snapping pictures every 10 seconds.

Teagan wanted to take the "kitties" home with us.

Leah wanted to get inside and ride one of the airplanes.

For an extra 300 dollars she could have.

Hali and Melody could not believe "how cute" it was inside this airplane.

You have to admit, it DOES look cozy. Uno anyone?

How did Teagan like the show? Well, to be honest, she was so excited that

it really blew her hair back!

Soul Purpose

We are in the middle of our second week of homeschool and I've received several phone calls from curious friends and family members wondering how I'm handling it.  The answer?  Honestly? 

 

I am happier now than I have ever been in my life.  I wrote a while back about Soul Purpose--you know, finding that 'thing' you were meant to do in life (or one of the several)-- and I feel like I have surely found mine.  

 

Although we have just been doing this for a short while, I can feel changes taking place inside my children, myself, and our home.  I feel closer to my husband as he is my biggest and best supporter.  I feel closer to my children as I spend so much more time with them than I ever have before.  And I feel closer to becoming the person I know I was meant to be as I work through the challenge of digging deep for the patience, knowledge, and inspiration I need to carry out this daunting task. 

 

The most common reply I get from moms when I tell them I am now teaching my children at home is, "Oh!  I could NEVER have the patience for that!"  And I really want to respond, "Well, patience is learned best by practice!"  And boy am I getting in a lot of practice!

Home Education, Day Two

{Big Breath}  I checked the girls out of school officially this morning.  The sentimental side of me wanted to hug the secretary when I left, but I got a squeeze in with the music teacher who is a friend of mine anyways. 

 

With all of our supplies heaped on the kitchen table we dived into our studies this morning.  I'm still not sure which method or curriculum (if any) our family will adopt but I feel confident that we will eventually get things all figured out.

 

The support I am getting from bloggy friends and IRL friends and family has been encouraging.  I'm sure many people disapprove of our choice but so far all of them have kept their doubts and skepticism to themselves.  I appreciate that because from moment to moment my faith in myself is shaky.  But my love for my kids and my desire for them to become bright, happy, healthy, family-oriented, faith-filled adults is steady and sure and that is what I am clinging to right now.