A World without walls
everyday life while homeschooling overseas
Checking out the parts of the flower April 2, 2013 Today, we had our ‘kick-off’ for our Plant Unit. We opened a bunch of plant experiment boxes. They include everything you need: seeds, containers, greenhouses, etc…but NO DIRT! I guess it’s sort of hard to include dirt in an experiment, but still. They could have said that on the box. So, we’re going to be on the lookout for dirt. We talked about the parts of the plant and parts of the flower. Then, I gave the kids their backpacks with their nature journals and magnifying glasses, and we went off to find the Botanical Gardens! It took a little while to find it, since the main entrance where the gps told me to go was closed. There was this cute little parking attendant man nearby who spoke not a single word of English, and shrugged a lot both the times we came by to ask. Ha! Luckily, as we were sitting and wondering where to go next, some people walked by our car, and Claire poked her head out and asked them if they spoke English and knew how to get to the Botanical Gardens. They did and they did. So, we found the place: We had to go to a gas station, drive through it, around the back, over a dirt road, down a big hill, into a big deserted parking lot—and Voila! There is was! So, we got to enjoy the Botanical Gardens! It was a really nice place. We walked through the Europe section and enjoyed the lake. We walked through the South Africa section and looked at the mud hut and went through the grass maze. We started walking through the North America section, then saw that the park ‘train’ was running, so we went to grab a ride. The ‘train’ was a fun little ‘trackless’ car thing trussed up as a train that took you all over the park. So, we saw the Australian, Mediterranean and SW Asia sections from the comfort of the train. Then, after our fun little train ride, we sat down to relax and write in the nature journals. The kids found a sprinkler and ran through it until they were soaked (and the guy came and turned off the sprinklers…doh!), then we left. We went home, ate some food, then left again so we could go play at a park. We really had no idea what time Devin would be getting home, so it’s important to take as much time outside as possible! I know I was borderline psychotic for bringing my crockpot through that border crossing, but I can tell you that we have used it the whole 2 days we’ve been here, and it’s going to be our lifesaver! Devin and I realized that we’re getting pretty low on food, so we took a date night opportunity and went to a local store to find some food. So fun! I really love going to local places, vs going to places that are in a foreign country that caters to expats. The food and the prices are always SO much better at the local places, and you learn lots of things about the people. We had a good time and got lots of super yummy food (like artichokes and melons and even, get this: PECANS!) and enjoyed a little time together. That’s my favorite part about being with Devin during his TDY here: I’m not going it alone. Yes, it’s difficult to transfer our daily activities and life to a new place for a short term stay, but it’s worth it for the experience and for time together… So here’s to togetherness!
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Who Am I?
As a Stay At Home Mom of 4 wonderful children, I have the amazing opportunity not only to home school them, but to do so in many different places! I am married to the most amazingly wonderful (and handsome) man in the whole world! Together, we seek out, every day, that Joy in the Journey that makes life exciting! Archives
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Emily's books
by Dan Brown
I like that the plot twists and turns a lot...and it makes you think. However, I don't appreciate Dan Brown's endings in his books. I find the endings incongruent with the rest of his stories--why make it a romance for the last chapter...
by Shannon Hale
I loved this book. I'm a sucker for fairy tales/fantasy. This was so well written! I can't wait to read all the rest of her books!
by Shannon Hale
I'm reading this one again. I liked it the first time I read it. I'm still liking it for the second time around. I like all of Shannon Hales' books.
**Still lots of fun the second time around! I do like this book for a comfortable...
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