homeschooling comes with...

perks!

I never ever in a million gazillion years thought I would be homeschooling my children! Ever! And in fact, Toby went to a traditional school even while we were playing missionary in Africa!



I guess it's a combination of being a lazy bum...having other children under foot...knowing my limitations...and wanting the absolute best for Toby.




Buuuuut...after a lot of thought & conversation (both vertical & horizontal) we finally opted to home school Toby at least through the 1st grade. For those who may be interested we're using Abeka dvds...which are a great option if you're a lazy bum...and have other children swinging from your ankles! *grin*



Toby has always excelled academically...and homeschooling has not changed that a bit. Since November (when Trevor was dx) Grams has really stepped up to the plate...and she has taken over his education! Completely! I love you mom!



It has been a wonderful experience watching them together. I can't help but think this year is building a really special bond & keepsake memories for the pair of them. I'd better stop though...my sappy is threatening to leak! *smile*



Anyway...all of the above was leading to this...


the homeschooling perk...


FAMILY FIELD TRIPS!


We gave Grams the day off (Hand Foot & Mouth thing?) and packed the fam into the car for the hour long jaunt to Plymouth, MA. We spent the afternoon with the Natives (there were signs posted letting us know it would be impolite to say Indians...and to abstain from greeting them with *How*...seriously!) & Colonists (Pilgrims is just SO last century). We explored their homes. Farms. Schools. And even boarded the Mayflower II. Which was really cool except for the case of height fright Toby & I suffered! Who knew it was SO scary on the upper deck of a tall ship?!

Of course the food cost more than it was worth. And the little*er* ones missed naps and told us all about it on the hour long (making it feel much longer btw) jaunt home. It's the end of the day...and I'm just now catching up on my friends. I missed you guys! The kids are parked in front of the tube...hopefully watching something appropriate. And I'm utterly zonked.




I used to find field trips exhilarating. Now? Exhausting...in a fun-spent-the-day-celebrating-our-heritage-with-my-family-kinda way!