Summer!

So it's summer. Schooling is officially on break, but learning is still happening. Here's a little of what we've been doing in June!

We started the month off by going to Taylor's graduation. She is my cousin Lori's daughter. David took the photo.

The youngest 2 stayed with Mamaw & Papaw while Jamie & I went to camp to work. David took this pic of them with Mamaw, Papaw & Uncle Bob!

Jessica playing play dough at Mamaw's.

David watching tv while playing play dough.

They visited us at camp. I was supervising the kitchen crew.

Jessica & David playing at the amphitheater at camp.

Picking Papaw's strawberries.

Jessica riding her bike while David & Papaw tend the fire.

David got to shoot his BB gun & the shotgun while at Mamaw & Papaw's.

Jamie & I went to camp to help get the camp ready for the start of camp the next week.

Jamie washed all the tables in the dining room. We had a crew in kitchen, one cleaning bathrooms & washing windows. We also had crews putting bunk beds together, weed eating, spreading sand on beach & volleyball court, pulling weeds & whatever else needed done.

This is Jamie's youth group that did all the work at camp. They are an impressive group of kids with an incredible work ethic!

We got to have fun while at camp too. Here Jamie is doing the zip line into the lake.

Jamie with her crew leader, Corinne.

The next week, we returned to camp with all 3 kids. This time, they were campers! We love SpringHill Camp!

Jamie with her counselor Hannah.

David with his counselor, Adam.

Jessica with her counselor Maddy & all the friends she had already made!

All the campers at closing day at camp. The kids had a great time & grew in their faith too.

We picked them up on Friday. Then Friday night until yesterday morning, their friends Anna & Jamison stayed with us. Their parents were on a mission trip to Ukraine.

Yesterday at noon, Jessica & David went to Grandma & Grandpa's. They will be attending VBS there & I'm sure having more adventures. Jamie is with me this week as she has lots of practices for youth Sunday.

So our June has been full. I'm starting to plan our next trip with Hubby. We will be visiting the Jacksonville, FL area for several weeks later this summer. So excited to be able to visit more Civil War sites as well as some colonial sites.

Plus, we have a garden. So the kids are busy helping me pull weeds & water. We also help Papaw with his 1 acre garden! Summer is fun but busy. Enjoy the rest of it!!

 

 

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A Little History, A Little Fun!

On April Fools' Day, we visited Fort Granger in Franklin, TN. Fort Granger is connected to Pinkerton Park. So we combined some learning with some fun!

Information about Fort Granger.

Fort Granger is located atop a hill that overlooked most of Franklin. It was quite a hike to the fort.

From the outside, it is not very impressive.

As you climbed the stairs to enter the fort, you began to understand why the fort was built here.

The fort contained a Cavalier, basically a smaller fort within the larger fort.

Here is the Cavalier.

This sign talked about the defenses of the fort.

The Fort was quite beautiful & peaceful inside. It was quite large with lots of room for soldiers.

This is one of the beautiful bushes on the trail to the fort.

Tucked in the woods was this peaceful meadow complete with a stage & seating.

One playground area.

A second playground area.

A third playground area.

The last playground area.

David!

Jessica!

Jamie!

Jamie swinging!

David hiding!

Jessica on the spinner!

Jamie & Jessica playing together.

David the monkey!

Jessica just content to sit!

Jamie content to sit.

A neat bridge across the river.

The beautiful view of the river.

We had a great day of family fun!

Socialization

One of the things I've heard over the years as we homeschool is "What about Socialization?" I say, "What about it?"

I've watched my kids as they grow up & truly see nothing wrong with my kids in the social area. My kids are polite. They have no fear of speaking with others. They know how to properly talk to adults. Although they do slip up from time to time as we all do.

I've seen them make friends with any child they see, even the child other kids ignore. It doesn't matter to my kids if the child is their age, younger or older. If you are a kid, they are going to try to engage you. I see so many kids who go to public school that will only "socialize" with kids their age. I've seen them ignore my kids because they are younger.

I've also seen how any child who is different is treated by public school kids. These kids are either shunned or made fun of. I've never seen my kids do this to anyone. I've only seen them treat others kindly.

As I sit here at a public playground watching my kids play, I see them engaging others, playing & having fun with any & every child who will play with them. I have seen them shunned by kids their own age because they are playing with kids younger than them. I've also seen my kids shunned because they refuse to be mean or hateful to others or break the rules.

I've also had my kids upset because some other child is getting teased or picked on. I've seen them step up and tell the teaser to back off & act right. I've seen them befriend the teased child. I'm not trying to brag on my children or make it seem like my kids always do the right thing. They don't, they're kids. But most of the time they do.

What makes the difference? I truly believe it is because most of their time is NOT spent with their peers. Most of their time is spent with family. They are learning to interact with all people, just not those few in their age range. They are getting to see on a daily basis how adults & older children interact. They see examples of love and kindness. They are being taught the right ways to interact & not seeing the wrong way to act every day.

I'm so blessed to be able to "socialize" my children the correct, godly way at home.