Setting our Sights on Summer Vacation

Is anyone else out there ready for summer break?  I’ve been so busy for the last month that I’m daydreaming about our camping trips and reading while the kids comb the beach.

• We took a wonderful trip to Washington, DC.  That isn’t the kind of vacation that leaves you feeling rested, you know?
• I participated in my first-ever iHomeschool Network 10 Day series with resources for a 50 States Study.  (Phew, that was a lot of work!  If I suggest doing that when we have plans to go away please remind me.)
• Some activities are wrapping up and we’re planning for special endings

With all the beautiful weather here it’s feeling like summer in Maine (70s most days).  It prompted us to get outside, and we’ve set a family goal of 10 new hikes this year. 

Hike #1: Beech Mountain in Acadia National Park.

The trail was just what we like–not too strenuous, lots of interesting natural features and views along the way, and the ability to make a loop so we don’t have to go back the way we came.

But the most memorable part of the hike is actually the Spruce Grouse story.  As we arrived at the summit two other hikers warned us about a territorial Spruce Grouse.  Sure, we said, figuring we’d keep the noise down and just steer clear of her turf.

The problem?  She was guarding the ENTIRE top of the mountain.  We’d try to follow her lead and go away from her space, find an area to take pictures and eat a snack, and she’d head our way again.

Side note: I am afraid of birds.  Yes, you read that right.  I’m not afraid of wild birds that fly away when you try to get close, but larger birds that stare at me and look willing to peck my eyes out frighten me.  Go ahead and laugh.  I think it actually stems from a terrifying car ride with my aunt and her Cockatoo.  He escaped her grasp and perched on the back of my seat.  Okay, back to our story.

She was not the least bit afraid of us and would chase us down wherever we went, making it clear she wanted us to leave.  There was no pleasing her or shooing her away, so we headed down the trail to eat our snack somewhere else.  {And I kept looking over my shoulder expecting to see her glaring eyes behind me.}

We informed the next hikers on their way up, and we could tell they were thinking, “Yeah, whatever.”  I do wish we could have seen them on the way down.

What’s a homeschool mom to do after an event like that?  Turn it into a lesson, of course!  We spent some time researching the Spruce Grouse and completed a notebook page.

*In case you’re wondering, that notebook page is a freebie from Our Worldwide Classroom.

Other School Happenings

We’re working hard to finish things up before the end of our school-year schedule.  (We homeschool year round, but slow down in the summer.)  The kids and I are very motivated to finish the few things that must be done before I can close the books on this year:  my son’s Funnix lessons, my daughter’s Teaching Textbooks 5, and our Civil War unit study.

We’re also keeping an eye on the Robin nest cam from Heather at Blog She Wrote.  When we’d focused on birds in our nature study we watched hummingbird and eagle cams, so it’s neat to compare the differences.  We’re really excited for when those little blue eggs hatch!

Other Things I’ve Been Working On

Did you catch my list of 10 Things I’ve Learned While Homeschooling?  Then yesterday I jumped in to share some of the Realities of Homeschooling.  Just so you won’t think I’m perfect or anything.  (Quite a laughable idea, really.)

I’m also planning for our summer school and next year.  I actually love the planning!  Other than that I’m gardening and mowing.  I was sort of hoping the grass wouldn’t grow until we were on our summer school schedule but it didn’t cooperate.

Thank you to the wonderful hostesses with fun link-ups on Fridays. Be sure to join the fun and see what other homeschoolers are up to!