This morning I woke up late (thanks to a very considerate husband) and didn’t want to get out of bed. Pure laziness had me in its grasp. I wanted to have fun rather than teach lessons. ~ Picture a stubborn 2 year old crossing his arms and stiffening his back so that you can’t pull the pajamas off. That was me.
Reality pushed it’s know-it-all head into my tantrum. Skipping class was out of the question. BUT that didn’t mean that I had to settle for a yucky day. I decided to create a good day.
I called the kids together and in a very conspiratorial stage whisper I told them that they need to get dressed and ready to leave. Fast! Their eyes lit up and they started running around whooping and jumping on their way to brush their teeth and make their beds. They knew what I was up to – My favorite trick: Destination School.
Every so often, I like to shake up our school routine and take the kids to a new place to do our lessons. Sometimes we bring everything to a local park, the library, a picnic table in an apple orchard or the kitchen at my husband’s office, but our favorite is to visit local restaurants.
Squeals and hugs, everyone smiling and working together. Oh yeah, THIS is going to be a good day.
We arrived at Panera Bread armed with a bag containing a clipboard for each kid with their work attached, several fun books to read aloud, our chemistry text – cuz’ I couldn’t get around doing that one, lots of pencils and paper, and a few quiet toys for the baby.
The next several hours were spent lazily munching on muffins and going through our normal routine. No complaints, no hassle. The newness of a different location seems to do magic on all of our attitudes. We even had time and energy to go apple picking and do our grocery shopping when all of our work was finished.
I think I smiled all day.
I’ve always thought that Grandma’s house might be a good spot for Destination School, and I haven’t tried out the museum cafe’ where we are members. I’ll save those up for another “I don’t wanna'” kind of day.
Maybe, soon.
Destination School
Wow! I love this idea. I can't picture myself actually packing the kids up and doing it, but I love the idea…and the thought behind it: create a good day.
You are an awesome homeschool mom! :)
Lee(5wolfcubs)
I love your creativity and shaking things up helps everyone. By the way, grandma's house is always open. :)