Schooling & Moving

Schooling has been very hard while packing and trying to move. I can only imagine how hard its going to be next week when we aren't packing anymore but moving it all to the new house. The best part is its MY HOUSE LOL...

I've always heard there is a season for everything. So this season in our homeschool is a relaxing one. I was stressing so much over what I wasn't able to do with them instead of enjoying our last days in our home. I want to make sure they always remember this house. This home has made some awesome memories for my family. We've been here 8 years and loved every moment of it. Farming that has been done I think has helped my children really have a great childhood and learned many valuable lessons.

So does it hurt kids to move? I think there is a yes and no answer here. My kids are leaving the only home they have ever known. We are leaving awesome friends. Best friends! Leaving a great church my kids love. My oldest got baptized at. Again many memories. No because we have no family around to share important events with. If someone is sick there is only momma. There is no body to help if needed and if someone in our family needs us - Guess what. With 3 kids I can't help often. Everyone is 2 hours away and I just have to not help. I can't help my aging grandmothers with simple tasks that are hard for them to do now. The kids are happy to have family that we can do things with. They want to spend time with some of there favorite people! 

Adjusting to the new home. I think this is going to be fun. DD is afraid of sleeping in the new home. So we are going to have to make sure she is secure there. The home is a lot larger than what we are living in now. Boys will be sharing there room. DD will be having her own room. Your all going to think I'm nutty but WE ARE GOING TO HAVE 2 FULL BATHROOMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My favorite part lol!! Really. We have a huge living room. Dining room and it connects to the kitchen. Awesome Carport. Then we have an open basement to deal with. Man oh man this is going to be fun! Kids are excited because of all the room.

So schooling - No we're not doing much. We are only schooling with what TOS Review items I have on hand. They are loving the Hear Builder Cd we are reviewing. Can't wait to tell you guys about that. DS1 and DD are learning to type and doing pretty well. We are also really enjoying Time Maps - Well DS1 and I are! 

So thats about all thats going on here in my Zoo. I know my posts are few and far between. The kids asked if we was on Summer Break and I laughed and said "I think we are." I can't say we are year rounding this time!! But hey we are still schooling!!

Wordless Wednesday 45

Camping - Yep We Do...

Camping. 

You either do or don't. 

We do enjoy camping.

As a child growing up my family camped often. I have some wonderful memories of my cousins and brother while camping. The joy and freedom it allowed us was wonderful. One thing I wish is that I had better memories of my parents interacting with us while camping. I'm sure they did however as a child I guess that wasn't something that mattered -- however now it would be nice too.

My husband never camped until he joined ROTC in Jr high. 

We have been camping for a few years with our kiddos. We really enjoy the bonding time it creates for us. No electronic devices are allowed while camping. One big family rule that you should consider having! To me the hardest thing about camping is packing it all. Then re-checking to make sure you have it all. We tent camp. We don't have the money for a camper and we have still enjoyed camping greatly. We normally just go for 2 nights at a time because that's all we enjoy lol. 

 I try to plan meals that the kids have requested. Normally an every time request:

SMORES

HOT DOGS

POTATOES

 ((See hotdogs & potatoes!! lol))

Funny how I already know to have these on hand! Cooking poses a challenge for me having to cook PKU for DS1's diet but we manage and he's never went hungry or refused to eat! 

We enjoy the nature all around us while camping. There is nothing like sitting around the fire telling stories or jokes with the kids. We watch the sky and enjoy the awesome nature sounds. While I have a particular daughter(the only one I have lol) that kinda gets freaked out at the sounds some times. She is always certain to make sure she has her own flashlight packed! Nature is a wonderful and every changing thing to explore. We love taking walks or just looking around the site for whats new and neat. My favorite thing is to look at the night sky laying in our tent. Our tent has an opening in the top and its perfect for star gazing!!

Always on our list:

Food - of various kind - snacks and I normally cook desserts before we head out and bag up for ease.

Equipment - Cooking Stove, Lanterns, Sleeping bags, Tent, Picnic tote, chairs, fire wood and last but not least we always take fishing poles if there is a place provided.

Enjoyable take a longs - Balls of all sorts, bikes, books, coloring books, magnifying glass and critter cage. 

Clothing - Always a jacket or sweater. Pants and shorts. Tennis shoes(no flip flops or sandals allowed).

The pictures are from our latest camping trip last month.

See what others from the Schoolhouse Review Team are saying about camping this summer here.