Quote of the day: "Just as eating against one's will is injurious to health, so study without a liking for it spoils the memory" ~ Leonardo Da Vinci

Our schedule has been very busy with softball season and our other regular activities, but I can see rest on the horizon. :-) This is the last week of the softball season, and Memorial Day is two weeks away. Memorial Day has been our school cutoff date. After Memorial Day we take off two weeks of "school". Learning is constant in our home, but during this time I do not plan anything or give any type of assignments. My daughter will still pick up a workbook or her math book on her own. After those two weeks I usually schedule some type of work for a couple of times a week during the summer. Typically it is review like math to stay fresh, or if we need to catch up in any areas. We resume our usual school schedule in mid August.

As I mentioned in previous posts, our schedule this past year was overbooked especially with a new baby. We decided to limit outside activities for the upcoming year. Of course since this decision, every class or co-op possibility has been offered. I'm happy to say that I have not been enticed to enroll my daughter. :-) This year has been a learning experience! Babies change things--especially your energy level :-)

My latest read has been Ignite The Fire by Terri Camp.(www.ignitethefire.com) She talks about seeking God's direction for our homeschool and asking Him for direction in the way we should educate each of our children.She also describes the importance of adding activities that will help children be excited about learning and enable them to better retain the material that they learn. This is where I realized that I needed to add more spark to our studies. She gives a lot of good ideas that can be implemented into any teaching style.

One of my goals for my daughter this year is to incorporate more creative ideas and activities into her studies. This part of the planning has been really fun, and I know she will be very excited with some of the ideas and activities. :-)

Mickey Mouse

Quote of the day:"Our heritage and ideals, our code and standards - the things we live by and teach our children - are preserved or diminished by how freely we exchange ideas and feelings." ~ Walt Disney

I haven't blogged in quite a while. I've been on vacation with my family to--Walt Disney World, Florida. :-) We had an awesome time. It was not our first visit to Disney World, but it was still totally awesome. It was exactly what our family needed-an opportunity to spend time together away from the daily "pulls" from the outside, and just focus on one another and have fun.

During our last visit to Disney (3yrs ago) our then 8yr old daughter wanted to go on almost every rollercoaster that existed! I'm not very fond of rollercoasters,but I didn't want to be a party pooper, and decided to ride on all the wild rides with my husband and daughter. What a big mistake! When we returned from that vacation, I had a backache for weeks.

I have gained much wisdom from that experience, and I no longer ride anything that goes faster than the merry go round.--I have nothing to prove.-- I was content hanging out with my 11 month old. On the other hand, my dear hubby still decided to ride with the "wild rollercoaster rider", who not only wants to ride the rollercoasters, but ride them over and over and over....... After the first day at the parks---He was pooped and confessed "I can't hang with her anymore!" (Next time we'll let her take a friend!)

The vacation was great, but it's back to the daily tasks. We have three weeks of "school" left. I am continuing to plan for next school year, and I have purchased a few curriculum items. I've got my list, and I'm checking things off. :-) I finally feel like I'm making progress.

It' s late. I better get some sleep............

"These things I have spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." ~ John 15:11