Recently I discovered a blog that I just love, The Homeschool Classroom. I stop by each day to read a short blog post that offers me ideas, tips and encouragement for my own homeschool journey. I was excited to have an article I wrote featured there yesterday. You may be interested in reading it, a short post about our homeschooling-RVing lifestyle. Even if you don't want to read what I wrote, I think you'll be blessed by stopping by. There are several wonderful homeschool moms that share on a regular basis. Happy Homeschooling!
© 2009 Tonya Prater/Live the Adventure
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Not only did my husband and I leave our car troubles in Ohio, we also left some other things behind...our children. It wasn't an easy decision, and it certainly won't be for long, less than two weeks but we both felt that the kids could use some additional time with family and their friends.
Life on the road certainly has some wonderful moments, but let's face it, we traded our modest 1800 square foot home for about 200 square feet of living space- there's not a lot of privacy. My daughter has confessed that living this way is better than she thought it would be, but every teenage girl should really have a door to slam!
We're also hundreds of miles away from family and friends and though we live in a day and age with astounding technological advances compared to 15, or even 10 years ago, emails, xbox live, cell phones and text messages can not replace human contact and our kids were missing everyone.
So, they packed up their clothes, packed up their school work and are working diligently in Ohio between visits with family, friends and Remedy Drive concerts. I'm sure they're having a great time, but they are missing me and their dad just like we are missing them. After all, not only do you not have much privacy living life in a camper, you are certainly aware when someone, or in this case three someone's are absent.
So this week, this homeschool mom has found herself in an unusual situation. No kids to teach and too much time on her hands. I'm really looking forward to those lessons next week!
© 2009 Tonya Prater/Live the Adventure
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Well you know from my previous post that last week was a wee bit difficult. My grandmother passed away and we decided to drive to Ohio for the funeral service. Though we had all weekend to prepare, somehow I still had a ton of last minute preparations. In fact, I was still at the laundromat when my husband called to say he was finished working and was on his way home. Yikes! We yanked our clothes from the dryers, sped back to the camper and hurriedly packed the essentials that we would need...and away we went, pleased that we would make it home to Ohio by midnight, plenty of time to rest up before the emotionally trying orderal we'd face on Tuesday.
Before leaving town, we decided to grab a bite to eat. Mistake. KFC was apparently understaffed that day and it took a long, long time to get our food. Next, we encountered traffic delays in Nashville. That took a long time. We'd already lost an hour, the GPS now declared we'd be in Ohio at 1 a.m.
Things were smooth sailing for awhile when my vehicle began to make a terrible noise while driving through the pitch black mountains somewhere in Kentucky. Yikes! Thankfully we found a truck stop to pull over at that offered wi-fi, so while the vehicle was cooling down so my husband could look it over, the kids were updating their Facebook accounts...nothing like Facebook to make things better!
At this point, I was beginning to think we weren't going to make it home in time for the funeral at ten in the morning. Near panic, the kids and I prayed while my husband was purchasing any liquid ooeey gooey substance that he could pour into the engine to make things better. The rest of the trip was touch and go. We'd stop frequently while my husband and I would try in vain to get a few minutes of sleep. Finally, a little after 6, we pulled into my mother-in-laws driveway, and exhausted fell asleep for less than an hour. Our 11 hour trip took nearly 16 and we were grateful that we made it. Answered prayers.
The car problems led to my husband and I staying an extra day so he could make the necessary repairs and give my vehicle a complete tune-up. It paid off because when we returned back to Alabama, we used nearly $100 less in gas and arrived in less than 11 hours! Whoo Hoo!!!!
© 2009 Tonya Prater/Live the Adventure
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This past week has been one of the most difficult times that I’ve experienced on the road. The reality of how far we are from our loved ones really sunk in when I got a phone call on Tuesday that managed to turn my day upside down. My grandmother was dying. I admit after that first sentence I pretty much didn't hear much more of the conversation, just bits and pieces. And then I was confused over which grandmother it was. This grandmother was not in the best health, but surely she wasn't that sick was she? Don't worry said the caller... I know there isn't anything you can do, I just thought you should know... And yes, though I wasn't happy to receive the news, I was appreciative they called but now I didn't know what to do. Should I pack up and drive to Ohio to see her? Would we make it in time? Would she know us? I was pretty sure the caller said she wasn't coherent. As soon as I could speak, I somehow managed to tell the kids, who already had an idea that something was wrong, judging by the tears that were streaming down my face. We decided not to go but made plans to prepare for the services that were sure to follow. I spent the week second guessing my decision, but thankful to have such wonderful memories to hold on to. Just months ago, we had surprised my grandmother with a surprise visit when we were in Ohio and we had such a great time with her. I'm thankful for that. I'm thankful that the Lord laid on my heart several years ago the importance of developing a close relationship with her, in fact, she was one of the reasons that it was hard to leave home behind. We will remember Grandma as a strong woman who loved the Lord and loved to laugh despite her many ailments, illnesses and circumstances. And though in my humanness it is easier for me to think of her here, in my heart I know she's fought a good fight, finished the course and kept the faith. Tonight she’s rejoicing with the Lord and for that, I’m eternally grateful.
© 2009 Tonya Prater/Live the Adventure
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Let’s face it, for many homeschoolers living on one income, the costs associated with traveling make exploring your home state, the U.S. or the world prohibitive. But what would you say if I told you that I found an awesome way to meet new homeschooling families and reduce your travel expenses? Well, this week I am so excited to share with you that I’ve discovered just such a program! This incredible program that is specifically for homeschool families will allow you to turn your travel dreams into a reality! And the best part is right now, you may be able to try this program for FREE! I am excited to offer this fantastic giveaway thanks to Amy from Home Schooler’s Home Exchange Neighborhood. Please continue reading to find out how you can participate in this awesome giveaway which will be not be one, but several free memberships to ‘The Neighborhood’ network.
I actually stumbled upon the HS Neighbor when I clicked on a banner that read Want to travel? Free accommodations for homeschool families. Well, that ad certainly got my attention. After all, I’m always searching for ways to reduce our expenses. Lower costs mean we can see more! I clicked on the ad and though I thought the program sounded fantastic, I really didn’t think that it’d work for us. We don’t have a house to exchange, and the camper barely has room for my own family. That’s when Amy explained the hospitality program to me.
The ‘Hospitality’ program is for people like us that may be passing through on their way to another location. Maybe you’d like to meet other homeschooling families while you are traveling. This program allows you to do that while sharing a meal or possibly exploring the area with your own tour guide. If you just want someplace to rest your head, or park your camper, that’s OK too.
The ‘Home Exchange’ program works this way; you swap homes with a family that would like to stay in your home while you explore their city/state/country while staying in their home. This saves you money and allows you to travel when normally you may not have been able to do so. After all, why spend all of your money on accommodations when you could really visit some incredible attractions with the money you’d save? You can read more about the program at the website.
It’s easy to get started. Once you sign up, you create your own listing on the website which will allow others to get to know you. Your listing will include information about your family, pets and home as well as attractions that may be in and around your area. You can then begin perusing the listings on the website and contacting families in areas that you may wish to travel to. The website offers a chat feature where you can ‘talk’ to other members until you are comfortable contacting them via another method. There is also a blog, the Neighborhood Clubhouse that you can follow and a Yahoo! group that you can choose to participate in.
This incredible program is available to those that currently homeschool their children, grandparents of homeschooling families and homeschool graduates worldwide! Normally you’d pay $34.95 for an annual membership, less than the price of one night’s stay in the cheapest hotel rooms, but for a limited time you can give the Home Schooler’s Home Exchange Neighborhood a try for only $14.95 or you can email me (thetravelingpraters@gmail.com) with the words "Travel Giveaway" in the subject line by midnight November 20th, for a chance to win a free membership. You don't have to become a follower of my blog, link to this post on your blog, tweet this or become my Facebook friend- though all those things are great and I certainly wouldn't mind, I've opted to keep this simple. Be sure to pass this along to everyone you know that enjoys traveling, the more entries I have, the more winners I'll have. I can’t wait to get started and who knows, maybe we’ll come to your house to visit!
© 2009 Tonya Prater/Live the Adventure
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This past week, the kids and I joined a local homeschool support group for an awesome field trip to Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman, Alabama. Onsite at St. Bernard Monastery, the grotto was created by Brother Joseph Zoettl, a German immigrant that arrived at the monastery at the young age of 14 with the intention of becoming a priest. When he suffered a terrible back injury, it was determined that he would not be a priest but instead he volunteered to run the power house that required constant attention. It was here that his hobby of constructing miniature buildings began, using whatever materials he could find. Eventually, his hobby grew into a world renowned work of art and people ventured from around the globe to see the miniature churches, missions and biblical scenes, called “Little Jerusalem”, as well as the focal point of the park, the Ave Maria Grotto which contains the Virgin Mary and other statues. Today, you’ll find a selection of 125 of the masterpieces that Brother Joseph created on permanent display in a beautiful park like setting on the monastery grounds.
Though the majority of the sculptures are modeled after religious or historical buildings, you’ll find a few whimsical surprises along the trail. A dragon is lurking under Hansel and Gretel’s Temple of the Fairies, chained of course so it doesn’t frighten youngsters and towards the end of the trail you’ll find a Lizard Condo and Chipmunk Crossing.
Despite the age of the sculptures, you’ll find they are in impeccable condition, with the exception of Noah’s Ark that was lost believe it or not in a recent flood! The replicas are maintained by Leo, who worked side-by-side with Brother Joseph before his death in 1961. Leo is also a master stone cutter and is responsible for cutting all of the limestone on the front of the monastery church, which we peeked into before leaving the campus. Built in the shape of a Latin cross, the marble interior of the church is beautiful. There was a mass in service so we weren’t able to look too closely, but our tour guide told us that there was a disagreement over what foot ware the saints carved along the sides of the sanctuary should be wearing. The compromise resulted in ten figures with combat boots and two with sandals!
We learned a bit about Alabama’s history, the City of Cullman and have a better understanding of the Catholic religion. If you’d like to visit this attraction that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, I’d highly encourage it. Just make sure that as you walk by you keep in mind that all of these marvelous miniatures were fashioned essentially out of trash and discarded building materials, take your time and pay special attention to all the detail. If you’re just passing through Cullman, you’ll find a wonderful quiet picnic area beside the parking lot; I’d stay and linger awhile. The kids and I decided this is probably one of the best field trips we’ve ever been on, but I’m sure part of it is because we had an awesome tour guide, who just happened to be a full-time RVer at one time!
© 2009 Tonya Prater/Live the Adventure
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If you give your child a science kit,
It really should be a Thames and Kosmos.
And if you have a teenage daughter,
She’ll really enjoy Creative Cosmetics.
She’ll learn a bit of biology and some chemistry too.
While she mixes some bases to make a batch of goo.
Including a book full of recipes to make the lotions,
Mix this and that to create incredible potions.
Not only for fun but also educational,
This kit has our vote because it’s sensational!
Okay, laugh at my attempt at poetry… I’m no Shakespeare. But I really do love the Thames and Kosmos science kits for older kids. When my children were younger, I loved purchasing fun little science kits. We’ve had our share of flowering rocks, sun print paper, magic ink and erupting volcanoes but as my children got older, it became harder to find a kit that I didn’t feel was really incredibly simplistic. Then I read an ad about the Thames and Kosmos science kits that intrigued me, but the kits were expensive! Imagine my surprise when one day while I was shopping I found the exact kit I was looking for, Power House a kit about alternative energy, on clearance at Hobby Lobby for half the normal price! Since this kit was one we had planned to buy, I snatched it up hoping that it delivered what it had promised. Though my kids have not completed the kit yet, I am impressed. It is certainly worth the investment and it’s been educational and fun for the entire family.
This week, while shopping with my just turned 13 year old daughter, we ran across another deal at Hobby Lobby, Creative Cosmetics. Also a Thames and Kosmos kit and also on clearance, normally priced at $59 the kit was on sale for $17! What a deal! My daughter was so intrigued that she bought it with her own money and began creating as soon as we returned home. Not one to enjoy the science kits like the boys always have, I’m impressed to see that she has grabbed this kit on several occasions just for fun. At least that’s all I thought until she began throwing out little tidbits here and there. Do you know your lips are red because the skin in that area is very thin allowing the blood vessels to show through? That the skin of an average adult can cover the area of 16 to 21 ½ square feet? Or that dandruff is a combination of fat glands and dead skin cells?
Not only does Creative Cosmetics teach your child how to care for their hair, skin and nails, they also learn how to mix, use and apply their own cosmetics. There are also recipes interspersed throughout the experiment book describing how to create your own beauty products using all natural ingredients that can be purchased at your local grocery store.
With a number of science kits available from chemistry kits, physics kits, solar kits to kits to complement the Dangerous Book for Boys. Chances are if you’re looking to add a little bit of science fun in your school program, Thames and Kosmos may have just the thing.
© 2009 Tonya Prater/Live the Adventure
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We try to have a family movie night in our home but if I’m honest, we’d be better off NOT watching most of them. So if I feel that way, why do we bother to watch them at all? Well, because once in a while we come across a movie that is really special, a movie that like a good book, leaves us changed and better for having spent the time watching. Gifted Hands, the Ben Carson Story was just such a movie. Though I’d never heard of it, the title kept popping out at me on several visits to the Redbox, so one night, I rented it. After all, if it wasn’t any good, we’d simply turn it off and we were only out a dollar plus tax. It wouldn’t be the first time we’d turned off a movie. Well, my kids and husband sighed when I returned home with my find, disappointed that it wasn’t Wolverine or the new Transformers flick. But the complaints quickly ended as we popped the movie into the DVD player and the story unfolded.
Gifted Hands is a movie that I think every mother should watch and though it has nothing to do with homeschooling, I do believe that if you are a homeschool parent, you’ll be especially encouraged and inspired. I was, my husband was and most of all, so were my children.
Based on his autobiographical book, Gifted Hands tells the story of a child growing up in poverty to a single mother, who was laughed at everyday at school because as he says, “I was the dumbest kid in the class.” Through his mother’s unfailing love and encouragement, hard work, and a firm faith in God, this young man was able to overcome what would have trapped many and not only rose to the top of his class, but went on to become the youngest Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University Hospital, completing miraculous surgeries.
Having boys that have really struggled, this movie taught them to dream…and dream big. They can be anything God wants them to be and they saw this demonstrated through the movie.
Gifted Hands, the Ben Carson Story is incredibly moving and inspirational. In fact, we didn’t want this movie to end but the truth is the discussion we had as a result of this movie was equally as moving. So if it’s time for a movie night in your house, why not choose Gifted Hands? I think it will be two hours well spent.
© 2009 Tonya Prater/Live the Adventure
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This past Tuesday we found out that an historic WWII plane would be flying into our area and would be open for tours for two days only. Having studied that time period last year in school, and having two boys that are particularly interested in historic war planes, my husband and I knew that this opportunity was not to be missed. Thankfully my husband had a short day of work already planned on Wednesday so we were able to view this fascinating marvel. On the short drive to the airfield, my boys were taking turns impressing us with their knowledge of the B-17’s. Were they excited? You bet!
Their excitement waned briefly as we pulled into the parking lot and saw many people outside the plane, I wondered if I’d misunderstood and they really weren’t allowing tours inside. So I asked a gentleman that was directing traffic and he assured us that he had been through the plane and cautioned that though some of the passageways were a bit of a squeeze, it was definitely worth the trip.
Excited once again, we paid the $15 per family admission and hastily made our way to the plane. Immediately, we were surrounded by volunteers eager to share tidbits of information with us as to what it would have been like to actually serve on one of these planes. Do you realize that the boys that flew the plane were often only 17 years old? If they survived to the age of 20 they were sent stateside to train the new recruits. We also learned that it was so cold in the air that the airmen would keep their candy bars on the inside of their coat pockets because if they were on the outside, they would freeze. The candy bars were necessary to give them a boost of energy to fight the necessary battles. The missions were often fought more than eight hours, by the time the fight was over and the plane was landed, the young men would collapse with fatigue.
The B-17 was vital to winning WWII. During the ten year span of 1935 to 1945, over 12,000 planes were built. Today, less than 12 planes remain capable of flying.
Though we began our tour of the Flying Fortress, the Aluminum Overcast, on the ground, inspecting the outside, it wasn’t long before we journeyed inside for a glimpse of the bombardier, bomb bay and other various compartments. As I watched my husband climb the ladder into the plane and literally crawl through the narrow passageway to a standing position, I knew that the gentleman I’d spoken with had not exaggerated the tightness of some passageways. I began to feel a bit panicky and claustrophobic as my turn to climb that ladder arrived, but my husband assured me that I wouldn’t get stuck. Trusting him, I continued and we were soon joined by our children, who were a bit amused by my antics. No, I did not get stuck and after passing through the bomb bay, the passageway widened considerably.
If you homeschool and have plans to study WWII at some point in the future or have studied it in the past, I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to make history come alive for your children with a trip through the Aluminum Overcast. It is scheduled to visit parts of AR, OK, TX and LA yet. This is a must for history and WWII enthusiasts or anyone that just happens to be in the area! Thumbs up from us!
© 2009 Tonya Prater/Live the Adventure
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