It's no secret that sometimes I can be a little bit of a control-freak teacher slash mama. But I'm the first to admit that I need to relax a bit. Today I took a step toward that reform, and the results were amazing. Typically when we have a homeschool field trip, the kids are handed a clipboard of activities they must complete during said field trip. So they enter the aquarium, the zoo, the whatever with a sparkle in their eyes but with a hint of a sag in their shoulders...probably the weight of the clipboard. Today for our trip to the botanical gardens, I set no agenda. I had no "Identify this..." sheets or crossword puzzles printed out. I didn't have 4 clipboards neatly sitting out on the counter for the kids to grab on the way out. We would just go and experience. Then the amazing stuff started happening. Jacob came up with the idea of taking the clipboards along, and the other kids agreed that would be an awesome idea. Who knew?
We got to Athens and enjoyed a little time at Grandma and Grandpa's prior to our field trip, and there we received a little lesson in horticulture. The kids helped Grandma harvest some tomatoes and peppers, and Grandma gave me several plant clippings to bring home and kill with my black thumb.
As we headed to the botanical gardens, I anticipated little enthusiasm. After all, this is a garden, not a science museum or the space center or Epcot; it's just a pathway surrounded by plants. But I under estimated my children. They skipped through the garden with interest and excitement, stopping every few minutes to sketch a leaf or a flower.
As we sauntered along the garden path of bright, cheery blooms and blossoms, it dawned on me that my children are also blooming. Thankfully, a love of learning is being cultivated. I'm so happy to see it because I've had a few anxious moments here and there through the last few years of homeschooling, worrying that a couple of my students (ahem) would never make the choice for learning (at least willingly). Of course, there will be more of those moments in the future, but it's a relief to see some growth!
I tried to explain to the children the significance of the Cacao Tree to me...having grown up in Cote d'Ivoire, I often saw the Cacao Tree in the landscape. Naturally, the kids really didn't care about those details. Alex did inform me, however, that this tree would require Midge Flies for pollination. I do not know anything about Midge Flies, but I learned a couple of years ago never to argue animal or science trivia with my daughter; I never win.
Comments
Oct. 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CrossView
Oh. My.
Your pictures are phenomenal! =D
Of course, your subjects are gorgeous. ;o)
I'm so glad it's "taking". Nice to know on those days when you wonder...
Now about growing up in Cote d'Ivoire. That's beyond interesting! Care to do a blog post (or 100) on that?
You know:
What was it like?
How do you get here?
When did you get here?
Best memories?
Worst memories?
Etc....
That's a fascinating tidbit.
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Oct. 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by mkpierce
CrossView ~ What a loaded question! Someday I will get a post, er, book together which answers your questions! In short, my parents were missionaries in West Africa, so I kinda had to tag along by default. Not that I minded. Africa was home. Now that I've been in the US as many years as Africa, I suppose I consider the US my home, although dh and I would love to go back and visit--he and I went to missionary boarding school together, so I've known him since I was 7. Never dated but grew up together. Someday I'll write more...
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Oct. 10, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CrossView
Ok. That's even more interesting than I expected! =D
I look forward to the book/post....
Is a missionary boarding school one where missionary parents send their kids? I've heard the term but not sure I remember exactyl *what* it is. I don't mean to be a pain but it IS fascinating!
So you and your hubby were friends when you were little?
How long has it been since you were there?
That is such a neat story!
Ok, I'll stop.... =P
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Oct. 10, 2008 - Crossview
Posted by mkpierce
Yes, a missionary boarding school is where missionaries send their kids. There are several throughout the world that cater mainly to missionaries; however, boarding school is becoming a less popular option as local schools become better quality and as homeschooling takes off. With better technology these days, even homeschooling in the middle of nowhere can work! My boarding school shut down back in '03 because of civil unrest in Cote d'Ivoire. When the shots started buzzing over the campus, the Americans evacuated, and the French moved in to keep the peace. The French are still on our campus.
Mark and I have been friends for years. It was a small school (about 200 K-12). He was 2 years ahead of me in school, but we were still good friends. We never dated, but we know all the dirt on each other, so no secrets! :-)
I haven't been back since 2003. Although there are few Americans in CI now because of the ongoing civil unrest, we have friends and family in neighboring countries, so we'd like to go out together with the kids sometime.
Thanks for your interest...I will have to write my book! :-)
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Oct. 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CrossView
This is beyong fascinating! And it's really hard to get that from a military brat. LOL!
And because I'm a dork, I didn't connect it as the Ivory Coast. We have a dear friend whose parents go back and forth there- the dad mostly. The parents are such awesome people! I so want to go there and help them! (fyi: http://www.gapmissions.com/)
Now i'm even more envious! =D
Anywaaaaay, then how did you and your husband meet "romantically"?
I really am sorry for being so nosy/curious. It's just so fascinating to me! =o)
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Oct. 14, 2008 - <em>Untitled Comment</em>
Posted by mkpierce
My parents always furloughed in CA, so I attended a univ. in CA my 1st year of college. Then my parents left, and I decided to as well since CA was so expensive and I wouldn't have any place to live on vacations. So I ended up in AL of all places. Had never been there, but I had some good friends there from Africa. I lived there a year and during that time began dating dh's roommate. Dh and his roomies were in an apt. in Atlanta, so it was a long distance thing.
The next year I moved to Athens to attend UGA. My dad's family lives there, so I had some ties, plus that put me closer to Mark's roomie. After two years we broke up. Very shortly after that, dh and I started dating. I tease dh that he started dating me out of pity, but he denies that. It was a quick romance; we were engaged in a few months and married within a year. :-)
I checked out your friends' website. Loved seeing the pictures of "home" and what a fabulous ministry!! No worries about being nosy...I enjoy talking about it. :-)
Edited by mkpierce on Oct. 14, 2008 at 6:51 AM
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Oct. 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CrossView
Awwwww! How romantic! So glad he took pity on you. ;o)
That's such a great story! The quickness just proves that it was right and there was no time to waste! LOL!
I've been trying to convince my husband that we need to go to Africa. He could do all the building stuff since he's so good at it. I'd be playing with orphans and having a blast- I mean, doing good- to help them. =D
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