The term "summer vacation" can be such a strange one to those that really don't take the summer off. In the past we've always tried to finish up school in the spring so that we would have the summer to take a break from school and get other projects done. That's changed. 

   We're continuing with school this summer except for a week long summer vacation at the beach next month. This will be our first year to try year-long school and to be quite honest I haven't even figured out exactly what our schedule will look. Our days get so hot mid-summer and schooling in the afternoons may work out just fine. The children would have mornings and evenings to play outdoors and swim. I didn't sign them up for any lessons this summer just so we would have more consistent days at home to focus on school.

          Eastern Tailed Blue butterflies on Yellow Sweet Clover 

          Pearl Crescent on Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan)

  I usually set goals for the children at the beginning of a new school year. Aubrey was to have all her multiplication tables (1-12) memorized by last December and she achieved that goal. I desired that Lillie would spend more time reading and Samuel beginning to read by the beginning of this summer, it's happened. We are still working on other goals such as memorization of states and capitols as well as scripture memorization. Personally those latter goals will be more obtainable for us if we continue to work on them throughout the summer instead of taking a two month long break. All that to say, I'm still trying to work out the logistics on how to set up realistic goals and objectives so that burn-out isn't on my horizon. Burn-out stinks.

  Our "summer school" experiment will be yet another attempt by this homeschooling mom to see what works best for us. It really is all about unique family dynamics and personal teaching styles I believe. I'm learning that truth more and more as our family travels this homeschool road. The bumps, curves, and potholes are inevitable I know, just too many factors involved. But I'll still seek the downhill straight aways and perfectly paved highways with the guidance and wisdom of our Lord.    

  So the term "summer vacation" may be yet another term that will "not apply" to our family. Oh well, I've found that for the most part we're those proverbial salmon swimming upstream. And in these days and times it's probably good to teach them that our lives are not dictated or even shaped by the norms of society, thank You, Lord. 

Blessings to you!

Your friend  the Salmon