St. Augustine Alligator Farm

On our way to North Carolina we stopped off for a visit at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm.

Established in 1893, this Zoological park is home to rare and exotic birds, mammals and reptiles.  They have 23 species of Crocodilians on display as well as a Komodo Dragon, King Cobra and a 21 foot Python!

We really enjoyed how low key the park was.  Even though it was in the middle of tourist season, once we entered the park you really didn't notice the crowds. The park is big and even the littlest child (strapped to her stroller) was able to see all of the displays easily.

An exhibit that we didn't anticipate enjoying as much as we did was the Alligator Swamp & Wading Bird Rookery.  The birds were everywhere (and yes, you could smell it) but seeing the nests, babies and assortment of incredible birds at eye level was amazing. We loved it.

We were able to identify and see the:

Roseate Spoonbill

Snowy Egret

Tri-colored Heron

Wood Stork

little Blue Heron

White Ibis

Black-Crowned Night Heron

The kids were also excited to see the Tortoises and were especially thrilled to see Red Foot Tortoises and Galapagos Tortoises on display.  The Red Foot Tortoise was exciting because we have one, and they were excited to see how large it was!  The Galapagos Tortoises are just incredibly beautiful and I suspect they are on their "wish list" for a future pet, which won't happen unless we buy a zoo...which won't happen.

It was truly a nice visit...and I'm still impressed at how clean and nicely scented their public restrooms were.  

10 Reasons our children like homeschool Field Trips

 Homeschooling allows us incredible opportunities for hands-on learning as a family.  For us, most of our hands-on learning opportunities come through field trips, both locally and across the USA.  Instead of my children experiencing field trips separately, we can experience them as a family.  We can also go on as many field trips as our budgets and time allow for.  

Many homeschool families even take weekly field trips (usually on Fridays).  When our children were younger it was not uncommon for us to have 2-3 field trips a week! Who wouldn't enjoy that?

Top 10 Reasons our children like homeschool field trips

#1

It's okay to have fun (and be silly) while learning!

Desert Museum Arizona

#2

Learning can be an adventure, especially when it's done on an RV

#3

You can play with a Lion Cub!

 

 #4

 You can explore caves at night without getting in trouble

Florida Caverns

#5

Your Mom just doesn't just let you hold an alligator, she takes your picture too! 

#6

You say you want to learn about bats, so your parents take you to

 Austin Texas to visit the largest Urban Bat colony in the United States. 

Congress Avenue Bridge, Texas

#7

It's fun to learn with your siblings, even if they're younger (or older) than you

 

#8

There are Bugs....

#9

 You learn about the Everglades by walking in it

Ten Thousand Islands

#10

 Travel learning beats textbook learning---every time.

 This post is linked with the iHomeschool Network 10 in 10.  You'll find everything from 10 Things my Kids (don't) like about being homeschooled to 10 things my daughter loves about notebooking...and more!  Yes, the iHomeschool Network ladies know how to keep it real.  So, keep reading.

 

Marbles Kids Museum- North Carolina

One of the highlights of our trip to North Carolina was a visit to Marbles Kids Museum.  This is probably one of the best Children's Museum's we have ever visited anywhere in the USA.  The exhibits were interesting even for our family of varied ages.  There was something for everyone and we had to pull them away from each exhibit to check-out the next.

Dress up Theater

 The Children's Museum is large (2 floors) and although it was more "crowded" when we arrived, the crowd disappeared by lunch time and it felt as thought we had the entire place to ourselves.  Which was really nice when  trying to keep an eye on 5 children happily running around. 

We enjoyed our visit so much that we even went back for a 2nd visit the next day! Something we rarely do on vacation when there is so much to see.

One of our favorite exhibits was the "ice skating rink".  Whoever thought this up deserves an award.

"Ice Skating Rink" just wear your socks!

Sometimes I dream about opening my own Children's Museum. If I ever found the time, energy and resources to do so, I would model it after the Marbles Kids' Museum. You should really check it out if you are ever in Raleigh, North Carolina.  If we had something like that in Florida I'd take the kids a few times a month, easily.

Designing a Car in the "Go Zone"

Thankfully,  we have family in Raleigh, so we know we'll be back!

Top 10 Must Have Items for homeschooling

Our state homeschool convention just ended.  Like many other homeschoolers in Florida I spent the better part of 3 days considering curriculum and purchasing for the upcoming school year.  I won't lie, I look forward to the homeschool convention every year.  Nothing makes my heart skip a beat more than thumbing through new curriculum and planning for our upcoming year. Don't even get me started on the smell of new books!  Seriously, who doesn't love the smell of new books?


Over the next few weeks and months, as homeschool conventions roll out across the country, homeschool bloggers will share their plans for their upcoming school year and wax poetic on what they bought and why.  I'm sure I'll do the same.   Let's face it, next to the homeschool conventions my 2nd favorite thing is READING about what everyone is using, planning to use and just purchased.

However, I thought I'd take a moment and join my friends from iHomeschool Network and blog about my Top 10 Must-have items for homeschooling.

Click here for more 10 in 10 posts

#1 
Computer with internet access
Seriously, how could I homeschool without it? It's where I research curriculum, download printables, create lesson plans, keep up with my favorite homeschool blogs and of course there are the great online resources I can share with my kids.

#2
Laminator
I use a commercial grade laminator from Jackson-Hirsh and it has served me well for 12 years and counting.

#3
Promethean ActivBoard
This was a big ticket item for our homeschool but it was worth every penny and I know I will be teaching on it for a long time.  There are wonderful whiteboard activities (that can be done on a computer with a mouse) that you can download for FREE at Promethean Planet. 

#4
 Playground area
This playground from Rainbow Play systems has served our homeschool well.  My kids never seem to tire of it.  I can view it from my home office/classroom and the playroom/learning center.  Our children range from twin 9 year old boys to an almost 2 year old and they all love it.  Even the dog loves it.  Recess is a regular part of our homeschooling days and it also helps me when I want to have individual time with each of my children to rotate the others through the playground.

#5
 Color Printer
I have the Brother MFC-9840CDW. It is a printer, fax and scanner all in one. The ink cartridges are each separated by color which is actually the best way to go if you print in color a lot. This way you only have to replace the colors you are out out of instead of entire cartridge when one color gets too low.


#6
 Library Card
I love the library.  So do my kids.  Our library has wonderful programs but it's also a great place to just browse for books to read.


#7
PaperBackSwap.com membership
If you are a book lover then you have to try Paperbackswap.  You can trade paperbacks with other users using "credits" you earn when you a) upload 10 books to open your account b) ship off your books to other users.  Many homeschoolers use the service and there are some great finds.  You can even create a wishlist and you'll be automatically notified when your favorite books are listed.


#8
 Amazon Prime Membership
I buy quite a bit for our homeschool (and our home) on Amazon. Using the Amazon Prime membership I even get FREE 2-day shipping.  It is easy to compare prices on Amazon and I even use  their handy app which allows me to scan book codes to compare prices.  You can place orders via the app quickly and easily too.  Maybe a little too easily if you ask my husband!


#9
Homeschool Tracker
Homeschool Tracker is a software program for homeschool record keeping & lesson planning.  I started off with the Basic Version, which is free, and I highly recommend going that route so that you don't become overwhelmed. I now own the Pro, which I also really like. The hardest thing to "get" about Homeschool Tracker is that it has many OPTIONS that you don't have to use. There is no ONE way to use the program and so if you try to use all the features you'll end up getting frustrated.  


#10
 Microsoft Office
I think everyone that homeschools should have Microsoft Office. I use Publisher (worksheets, printables), Word (documents), Outlook (email, calendar planning, contact management), PowerPoint (lesson plans)and I'm trying my hand at becoming proficient in Excel for spreadsheets.  Don't forget as a homeschooler you are able to order software from Academic Superstore with the Student/Educator discount.

 

 Do you agree with my list?  What are your top 10 must have items?