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We are digging in to our week two studies of Tapestry of Grace. We are talking about Napoleon and the French Revolution. I’m learning more than I ever knew about the French Revolution.
We are working on getting into a rhythm with our reading schedule and the rest of our activities. I’m going to put together a post on how we have organized our books for the semester – that’s half of the battle!
Last weekend my husband and I watched Les Miserables. We had a little discussion on Facebook about how I didn’t really like the movie at all, but my husband did. Some people agreed with me, and some people really loved the movie, what do you think?
A book that we are still loving is A Land to Remember. The book is set in Florida in the late 1800′s. You definitely don’t have to be a resident of Florida to appreciate this book. It isn’t so much about Florida, as it is about the love of a family, doing the right thing, and treating others with love and respect.
We made some time to get to the pool and do a few projects around the house. My husband put up blinds on two sliding glass doors. It’s nice to have those big window covered, particularly since the back of our house faces a golf course!
Florida Field Trips
Now that we are settled and getting back into the groove with our school work, we are enjoying getting out and starting to explore our area a bit.
We headed up to the Crystal River area to check out the offerings. There are several spots to take tours to observe the manatee in their natural surroundings. We also found a spot in Homosassa Springs that we would like to go back to visit. It is the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs State Park.
There is an underwater viewing area where Manatees can be viewed all year round. We didn’t have enough time this trip to stick around, but we will definitely return.
As the weather continues to turn cooler, the manatee flock to warmer waters. There is a viewing area close to us, the Manatee Viewing Center, near the Tampa Electric Power Plant. We are looking forward to visiting the viewing area next month.
Our next trip to the library will include checking out a pile of books about the manatee.
We also had the opportunity to visit the Florida Aquarium in Tampa.
We spent the morning touching sting rays and star fish. We look forward to taking part in some of the homeschool classes offered throughout the year.
I’ve been doing some thinking about taking field trips, particularly field trips for big families. I’m going to write more soon about field trips for large families – the good and the bad!
This week on the blog:
I’m linking up with Mary @ Homegrown Learners this week.
Also linking up with Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers
and Field Trip Friday
Jen! I think I may have told you that Homosassa Springs is one of the favorite places my kids remember visiting in Florida. The wildlife refuge there is fantastic – I hope you all get to go!
I love all the field trips. Florida looks so lovely.
I love the thought of warm weather and field trips! Sounds like a beautiful week of hands-on learning:)
You are in such an awesome place for fun field trips! It’s great to see your beachy photos:) Well, I have to say that I loved Les Mis, the movie. I didn’t love the musical in my younger years so I guess I have to say that I’ve grown into really appreciating the suffering, sacrifice and perseverance that are deep themes in the story. Plus, Hugh Jackman is one of my favorite manly actors! *wink*
Looks like you are loving Florida and it’s agreeing with you all! Glad you are getting out and exploring!
Wow! You have found such wonderful places to go and things to see! I am so happy you are loving your new home. Thanks for linking up with Field Trip Friday. I hope you will be able to join us again this week.
It is funny that with my boys I am actually not that much of an animal person, but I have always been fascinated with manatees! I am so jealous. I can’t wait to see pics of the viewing. It looks like you are settling in nicely. I do love the Les Mis movie, but I am a huge fan of the play. The play is better by far, but I just love being able to watch it from my couch- it is sort of a running joke in our house that if mom is watching something it “Les Mis again!”. With a slight groan while saying “again’.