The Necessity of Air

It has been a couple of years since the air conditioning compressor has been broken in my car.

I am hoping to one day be able to get it fixed. You never know how much you really do depend on something until it is gone. And I have been missing being able to drive around in the summertime with my windows rolled up and without sweat dripping from me.

I don't know what kind of auto ac parts I will need to get it going again. Rich had tried to fix it for me before, but it just did not work. I think if we have the ac compressor looked at it will do the trick.

Have you ever tried to drive somewhere in the rain, during the summer, with all of the windows up? That's torture if you ask me.

Sawicki Summer School

Is your homeschool year beginning to wind down now that summer is approaching?

I can already feel the affects of summer at our house. Just like the rest of the year we try to remain flexible in our school. However we don't take a formal summer break. We do however, take a break in the way we "do school."

For example we tend to spend lots of time outside. This may include reading, experiments, or just observing nature. I don't let my kids know, but even when they think they aren't doing school, they're still learning. And there is a ton to be learned during the long lazy days of summer.

If is rains and we are stuck inside maybe we'll watch a historical movie or TV show. Sometimes it is really necessary to spend days and days building and figuring with Knex. I'll never tell my son he's doing science or math. Cooking and gardening are other activities that top the list.

School in the summer takes on a new look, but learning continues just the same.

Mosquito Attacks

I am so happy to say that I do believe that the weather is finally headed towards the warm days and nights of summer. I have been waiting for these days for a really long time now. It seemed to me like winter would never really go away. But it was bound to happen, and it finally has.

I am enjoying leaving the windows open and airing out the house. I am also making plans for our backyard. We are planning to spend a lot of time together this year in our yard. We are planning to put up our pool and have lots and lots of fun in our yard.

With everything that I am looking forward to over the next few months, there is one thing that I am not looking forward to at all. That is the pesky mosquitos who like to feast on my blood. I am hoping to check out a mosquito magnet review or two to see if this is something that might work well for us.

Other than the mosquito issue, I do not think anything else could possible ruin our plans this year. Are you planning on spending lots of time in your yard too?

Do You Incorporate Sports?

As a homeshooler and parent I think it is very important to find some sport that you child can be involved in and enjoy. There is a lot that is learned from the experience of being in a sport.

1. They learn the importance of working hard and seeing things through to the end.

2. If they are on a team, they learn teamwork. They learn that sometimes it takes several people to accomplish a task.

3. They learn the value of being physically fit and taking care of their bodies.

My kids have both been involved in sports whenever they can. This means if the budget and the schedule permits it.

My daughter has at some point in her life been involved in dance, soccer, basketball and volleyball.

My son has been involved in gymnastics, basketball, and baseball.

Does your family participate in sports?

Music To My Ears

One thing that I think is very important to teach children is the love of music. Unfortunately you hear about the music programs being one of the first things pulled from schools when there are budget cuts.

This is just another reason why I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to keep my children at home for their education. I am able to make sure that their music program never does get pulled.

Also you do not even have to wait until kids are school age to start them in Baby Music Class. There are classes at for all ages and levels. There have been so many studies done that show the benefits of Children's Music Lessons.

I waited until my children were a little older to start formal lessons, but Music Classes For Toddlers would have been a lot of fun. I supposed that we did have some toddler music classes at our house too. It just was not all that formal. I am now thinking that all those afternoons allowing my kids to bang on pots and pans was a prelude to future music skills.

Do you make time for music in your homeschool?

Homeschool Freebie : Charlotte Mason

When I first started homeschooling quite a few years ago now, Another homeschooling mom introduced me to Charlotte Mason.

Simply Charlotte Mason is offering the 45 page ebook by Sonya Shafer called Masterly Inactivity.

When I first began this homeschooling adventure I was turned on to Charlotte Mason and I loved the ideas I read from her way of teaching children.

Coexisting

With the weather getting warmer I am itching to get things looking great outside. This includes cleaning up the yard, planting some colorful flowers, and getting my gardens in.

I am planning to expand our garden area this year. I really hope to get a bountiful harvest that will help keep my grocery costs down and provide my family with plenty of healthy home grown fruits and veggies.

Thankfully I have never had to be concerned about deer coming into my yard and getting into things. But I know from visiting my mom that they have no boundaries. The deer will pretty much go wherever they feel like going.

I have heard stories of the deer destroying peoples yards and gardens. And although the deer are the cutest creatures to watch, they are not gaining popularity with some folks who have worked hard to get their yards the way they want them to be.


I think it is so important to learn about deer control if you live in an area that you have to coexist with them.Deer Off is one way to keep the deer away from the areas you do not want them to be. It is an all natural deer repellent that automatically sprays your yard to keep deer, rabbits, squirrels, and more away.

This sounds like a safe way to make some boundaries.