{School's Out for Summer}

It's hard to believe school is out for Thomas already. We have had a fun year full of great learning experiences. Below are some pictures of learning in action!

September: Latta Plantation Homeschool Day

Learning the 3 R's (Reading, Writing, & 'Rithmetic)

Reading from a McGuffy Reader

Learning about clothing styles & medicine from the 1700s on- VERY interesting!

October: Riverbanks Zoo

Our science curriculum is broken down into the various days of creation. This year we started with Day 5: the flying creatures.

Megabat- this year we learned the difference between a microbat and a megabat. :)

November: Carolina Raptor Center

This field trip only enhanced what we were learning about & was probably Thomas' favorite since he has developed a passion for birding thanks to his study in science this year.

We felt a sense of honor & pride seeing our National Bird up close & in person.

Red-tail Hawk: our favorite!!

Annie was enjoying the Birds of Prey presentation :)

February: Chick-Fil-A

Learning how the syrup & the carbonation meet together to make soda

Teagan accompanied us on this trip. :)

May: Shaw Fest

Everyone in this family has a love of airplanes. They are fascinating and powerful and loud and illicit feelings of awe and wonder! We take our kids to the airshow every time it comes around, and this year was no exception.

Air Force Thunderbirds preparing for flight

Thunderbirds in flight

May: Charlotte Motor Speedway

We enjoyed learning about the history of the racetrack, it's growth and development over the years, but most importantly, why it's banked at 24 degrees at each turn...

Next to Pit Road
(Fact: the stands you see behind him were constructed specifically for
TV shots so they appear full even when a race is not sold out)

We made it to the Winner's Circle!!

Along with the above fun trips, were able to go to the Great Wolf Lodge twice this school year, as well as enjoy some other fun park days with friends. We also went on a tour of our local police station, but I forgot my camera that day. :( We've already begun planning some field trips for next year and are so thankful the Lord has allowed us this opportunity to learn and grow at home, in each other's presence.

I greatly enjoy homeschooling Thomas and am looking forward to adding Tanner to the mix this upcoming school year. It is a bit stressful managing all 6 kids, but God has been gracious in providing a wonderful preschool for some of the younger children and a wonderful elementary school that I am comfortable sending my kids to for kindergarten/1st grade where they learn to read. I am also blessed to be surrounded by such supportive friends who also homeschool and can help by sharing tips and ideas that have worked for them in the past. Each school year is different and has its own set of challenges, but by embracing the challenges and allowing my kids to witness (& help!) me work through them, they are learning problem-solving in real life situations. My girls are learning how to manage their homes, children, and husbands all while teaching their children (not just book stuff, parenting stuff, too!), and my boys are learning to appreciate the work their future wife will do as a wife and mother. Together, we learn to enhance each other's strength's and support one another in areas of weakness. Homeschooling really is so much more than books!!

Thursday Thirteen #3

Thirteen Things about South Carolina Mom 13 jobs I have held. . . 1. Special Olympics Swim Coach Best job ever and very rewarding! 2. Preschool/Youth swim instructor My first job (I volunteered until I got hired on at the Y, then I was paid.) 3. Lifeguard This was my first paid job. 4. Crew Chief/aircraft mechanic on the KC-10 I loved it- I saw the world on this plane and pushed myself the farthest mentally and physically I ever have or ever will again. Of course I missed my family and friends, but if I had to do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat. 5. Debrief personnel I talked with aircrews after they landed about their flight/mission. I learned the logistical side of flying. 6. Tool Crib personnel I gave the mechanics tools for various jobs needed to fix the airplane. I also inventoried and ordered new tools, and that was fun. Until this job, I had no idea that tool companies have a representative drive around in a truck full of tools for people to use and try. It was during t...

Thursday Thirteen #5

Thirteen Things about South Carolina Mom 13 Reasons to live in SC. . . 1. Mild winters- it only snows about 1 time per year (unless, of course, you live in the mountains, although I don’t know how much snow even falls there). The average temperature hovers around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. On a cold day, it may drop into the low 40s. On a really cold day, it may be in the 30s, but those are few and far between. 2. Hot summers- summer is my favorite time of year. I love to swim, as do my kids, so we spend a lot of time in our pool. We also like to travel to the beach (we went 3 times last summer!) 3. Friendly people- most everyone waves as you drive down the street. Also, gathering in the warm summer evenings on the front porch is common and a great way to meet new people. 4. Sweet tea- I know you can get this in any Southern state, but I live in SC and that’s why it’s on my list! 5. Peaches and Strawberries- these are the main fruits grown in the part of the state where I reside. I love fr...

Couponing

As you probably noticed, I added a new ticker to the top of my blog. I have recently started to be more diligent with my use of coupons because of the fact that we will soon need to buy a larger vehicle. We do not currently have a car payment and would like to keep things that way, but quite honestly, we don't have the cash saved up to pay for a vehicle in full (at least not enough cash for a newer vehicle). My goal is to save $2,000 by the end of January 2012. That equates to a savings of about $250 each month. I have always used coupons if I had one, but never really made an effort to maximize my savings potential. Until now. And it's awesome!!! I wish I had started sooner because the savings available are crazy. I love the feeling I get when I save 50% or MORE on foods and items we use every week. Our grocery bill is typically $80-$100 per week or $320-$400 per month. That seems high but considering we're a family of 7, that averages out to about...

A Lifetime of Love

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