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Spring has brought a lot of fun to our house. Two-year-old Jacob loves to check the chicken coop for any fresh eggs-and transport them to the kitchen-all by himself. Mercy, 8, and Hope, 6, have to chase the chickens down to put them back in the coop. A few days ago, Joshua, 13, Caleb, 10, and Mercy searched under the woodpile for alligator lizards. The lizards get scared and sort of just "drop" their tails, so Hope gathered three writhing lizard tails and was keeping them in a special container to watch. The boys caught and released several lizards and learned how to grab them without getting bit. Another search through the woodpile, and Mercy found a field mouse that she just had to keep for a few days in a cage with food and water and shavings until yesterday, when the dear little thing got out and hid in the girls' room. They had to take turns laying across the entrance of the doorway while the other searched for the mouse. Once it was found, we decided to let the mouse go back outside to its proper home.

Sunday found us bringing tadpoles home from the pond by the church to add to our 10-gallon tanks. And, of course, on the drive home we just had to stop four times along the highway to pick up swallowtail butterflies that were hurt. My husband, Richard, is our resident entomologist and has a thing for all things insect and buggy. Years ago, I cringe to say that I would have sighed every time he stopped to look at another insect. I have, I think, learned to appreciate that these years when the kids are still highly interested are few and go fast, and now my sighs flow in a different direction. Not only that, but my husband has taught the kids more about God's world in real life lessons than I or a textbook ever could have.   

Some quick spring-fun ideas:

• Take a book-on-tape outside and let the kids listen while they do their math or other book work.
• Take a read-aloud or a pile of books and a big blanket to a park or backyard and have reading time there (don't forget the picnic!).
•  Go on a nature walk and count birds' nests, flowers, or a certain type of tree. Stop somewhere and draw one of the things you've counted. You'll need pencils, erasers, and drawing pads. Having good field guides is helpful (Peterson field guides are on my shelf).
• To get the spring cleaning done, do minimal school in the morning, have the kids help with chores and spring cleaning in the afternoon, and then have a treat of a family movie night or trip to the creek or park, or a family walk around the neighborhood.
• Take a week's break from electronics and let the kids be creative with all the art supplies you've been saving for another time. Let them create their masterpieces outside.

I am not always the outdoors type, but spring is so beautiful I just have to acquiesce to it. Everything is alive and in bloom and just bursts with shouts of a brilliant Creator; a Creator obviously in love with His creation. Let the kids know just how much God loves them by showing them what He's provided for their health, their knowledge, and their enjoyment. For truly, He gives us "richly all things to enjoy." (I Timothy 6:17).

~Deborah

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Love, 

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gena@tosmag.com

Greetings from a Walmart parking lot in Louisville, Kentucky. We've officially hit the road, and other than a leaky spot over the shower, the Familyman Mobile is running well. Last weekend, we enjoyed the heat in Montgomery, Alabama, and this weekend we'll be enjoying the bone-chilling cold of Duluth, Minnesota, at the Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators' annual convention. The first person to come to my booth and tell which lake is known as Gitchigumi gets a free book.

Spring is a great time to be on the road. In fact, I think springtime is about the best time of year for families. The weather just screams for moms and dads to do something outdoors with their kids.

You could take the easy way out and just send your kids out on their own, or you could go for the gold and do something with your children outside. Need an idea? Here are a few for starts:

• Take a family bike ride
• Make the first trip of the season to Dairy Queen
• Have a family basketball game
• Fly kites
• Plant some flowers
• Clean out the landscape or clear the yard of sticks
• Tune up the bikes
• Take the family to a park with some KFC

That should get you started. The important thing is to do it together.

I've got to go and start the teeth-brushing routine.

Be real,

Todd

P.S. You can get a bird's-eye view of life on the road at my RV blog.

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Ruth Beechick, Curriculum Specialist 

and

Debbie Strayer, Homeschool Consultant 

Some of my children's fondest memories of homeschooling occurred in the spring. Since we lived in Florida, the best times to be outside were spring and fall, with sunny skies and mild temperatures. So off we would go, schoolbags and lunch coolers packed, ready to do school or find school outside.

Now, before you think that's too hard, let me make it easier. On some days, we would just get blankets or lawn chairs and do school outside, under our tree. If food, bathrooms, or other things were needed, they were just steps away. But those few steps often made for a magical transformation. While we did our work, we would pause to enjoy a bird, a breeze, or the clouds. I made it a point not to rush things or harp about staying focused. To me, this was one of the most abundant blessings of homeschooling: showing my children that God can transform a regular day into pure encouragement just by doing simple things to enjoy Him, His creation, and each other.

When we went to a park to do school, I made my schedule light enough to include nature walks, art, taking pictures, or whatever we came upon to learn. Again, the discoveries and joy of being around God's creation were confirmation to my spirit that these moments were making a lasting impression. My children's spirits were wide open to me and to the Lord, and my most important educational point was being made clearly. Learning is about real life, and real life is about learning. Thank you, Lord, for such precious memories.  

~ Debbie 

Read more from Debbie at www.debbiestrayer.com.