First Week Homeschooling

Last Updated on Thursday, 28 August 2008 02:50 Written by lorie Thursday, 28 August 2008 02:50

The first week of our homeschooling year is almost over — only 35 more weeks to go — lol.

Seriously now — it’s been a fun week and I’ve enjoyed spending more time with the kids.  It always amazes me how much a summer break helps re-energize everyone — but more importantly, how much a child learns just by being a kid during the summer playing outside, being with friends … and well, just being a kid.  My youngest was really struggling with multiplication tables last year and I thought we’d never get past the 4th grade math book.  Suddenly, this week he has it all together — and is ready for division.  How did that happen?

Anyway…. here a really cute video about homeschooling moms that everyone will enjoy — I’ll need to revisit this video in a few months I’m sure….

Disney at Dawn

Last Updated on Wednesday, 19 November 2008 08:54 Written by lorie Wednesday, 27 August 2008 05:19

As soon as we finished the school day yesterday my daughter had me in the car driving to Barnes & Noble for the newest released book by Ridley Pearson: Kingdom Keepers II: Disney At Dawn.

We arrived at the store around 1 p.m. and couldn’t find the book anywhere! I expected it to be at the front of the store since it had just been released that day. Nope. Looked all over and finally asked a clerk who was reading a paper. She indicated it must be in a carton somewhere — come back later! What?????

Frustrated … we went to the Information Desk — as I wasn’t coming back to the store the next day — I’d just as well go home and order it online if I had to wait for it. The gal at the information desk was much more helpful and went to the back of the store to find the book that was still in the carton.

Isn’t that weird to not have a ‘new release’ out on display by 1 p.m.?

Anyway, my daughter loves the book and is already half way finished. Maybe I can convince her to write a review when she is finished and publish it on here.

Train Tour at Magic Kingdom

Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 August 2008 03:33 Written by lorie Wednesday, 27 August 2008 03:33

My husband and son experienced the Behind the Scenes Train Tour at the Disney’s Magic Kingdom this past July 2008. They both enjoyed it very much. The tour was to be 3 hours long — beginning at 7:30 a.m. However, there was a delay in the middle of the tour with engine trouble so the tour actually lasted a lot longer than that (more than 4 hours!). That was a little frustrating since we had agreed to meet them late-morning at the Chrystal Palace for a late breakfast. Since our entire party was not with us they would not seat us — and we had to change plans. Unfortunately, there was no other place in the Magic Kingdom for breakfast food — so we decided to wait and have an early lunch once they were finished with the tour.

On the tour they were able to get a good look at all the things that go on behind all those fancy shops at Magic Kingdom. It was a nice train ride and the guide was very experienced and informative. However, my son — 11 years old and a train lover — didn’t seem to enjoy the tour that much. I think he was expecting something more ‘hands-on’ and it turned out to be a ‘listening’ experience — which for any 11 year old can be difficult.

Here’s some pictures they’d like to share from the tour: