For the last month or so, we have been travelling the world. What?  You didn't realize my blog entries were remote?  Now before you get too excited Crystal, we are actually travelling the world from home.  So far we've explored the wild jungles of Madagascar, and the recovering diversity of South Africa.  The boys are so cute! (I'm doing this with Stephen and AJ.)

Today we entered Kenya.  I'm getting better at it, knowing more and more the order and way I want to do things.  Today we traced on the world map where we had been, then "departed" from South Africa to head north to Kenya.  The boys strapped themselves into a taxi bus, and bounced along in the heat and crowded conditions.  Stephen had to hold a chicken on his lap for a while.  Once we arrived in the mountainous region of Kenya, the boys had to present their passports for inspection. 

Before we started I made them each a rather realistic looking passport, complete with their personal info, pages printed with a quarter grid for visa stamps, and I even used clear wide labels to create a unique passport stamp for each country we visit.  As they entered, I asked them about South Africa, and stamped their passport.  We look at the world map and color in the country we visit on a world and continent map, then we mark major landmarks, color the flag, listen to the national anthem, and read a brief summary of the country.  Over the next week, we'll explore the wildlife, read about indiginous peoples, try traditional food, play traditional games, listen to music, and add national celebrations to our world calendar.  We'll read folk stories and about missionaries, climate, resources, history and heroes.  I've even found a wealth of DVD's through online rentals and the library.  Hard to believe I can cover so much in a week! (Not that I really do all I want, I'm just reminding myself to let them have fun with it, and learn a little something in spite of it.)

The boys' favorite part is entering into a new country and getting their passport stamped.  Mom's favorite part is how wildly in love with the world she is falling.  My home page is the Operation World page of the day, and it is becoming more and more fascinating as I become more familiar with the countries. Josh is also doing geography through Florida Virtual Schools, but I'm sure he's not having near the fun we are.  Too bad.

I'm off again, this time to bed.  Travelling is hard work, and I'm feeling a little jet-lag!