After recovering from our trip, we've begun our Summer Session of lessons.  Boy was not too happy about the idea of more "school", but I assured him that this would be school like no other! 

First off, I've committed to both children that we will have our lessons outside on the porch everyday, weather permitting.  This week was perfect for that!  Our shaded porch was like heaven all in bloom.  A couple of days I just stayed there all day! :)

Secondly, I had planned all new material.  That's always fun, once he realizes what that means.  This time around it means "Benjamin West and His Cat Grimalkin", by Marguerite Henry for a bit of history, "Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day", by Jeannie Fulbright (yeah!) and using the Knowledgebox Central lapbook, notebooking pages and copywork for the book.  I've also included the "Burgess Bird Book for Children", by Thornton Burgess.  This book has been a wing-dinger (more on that later).

We are only doing math practice sheets, spelling & phonogram review & penmanship once a week each.  I'm balancing those with nature walks & art lessons through "I Can Do All Things", by Barry Stebbing.

This has been averaging about two hours, but it is the fastest two hours of study we've enjoyed!  I'm hearing lots of "read more!" and less of "oh do we have to do that!".  Very encouraging.

Daughter is loving her FIAR (Five In A Row)--but like a lot of 3 yo's the conversation goes like this:  "Oh!  We get to do our 'rowing' tomorrow!" ...."NO!  I don't want tooooo!"  Then the next minute...."When can we do our 'rowing'????"  It's almost comical.

So the rest of our summer includes lots of play.  Absolutely no TV (except for family movie night when weather is bad, or school related dvd's)!  No computer (for the kids that is!!), lots of swimming, bike riding, visiting, etc!  AND...it all starts now!  I just love nice weather.  We're going to make the most of it for sure.