I hope you and your family are enjoying some summer time fun. While it's not quite time to prepare for the new year, I do want to run a few ideas by you that you should at least be thinking about for now.
Most of the time, we tend to think of closing out the year with a bang. We'll plan parties, have a few friends over, play games or watch some movies.  
So, I have the thought why don't we do the same to start our year off right.  One of the key factors in successfully homeschooling our children is to get them connected to other homeschoolers and get involved in some community wide activities.  Make an annual pre-school planning event in your community.  Consider the following:

• Meet with other parents to discuss last years challenges and how to offset them
• Discuss any changes, why the change, what benefit are you hoping to achieve - there will always be somebody who can benefit from your experiences.
• Plan a community wide back to school party.  Perhaps all can go together to rent a local swimming pool and share in food costs.
• Allow the kids to talk about their ideas and to be a part of the planning.  Some would argue the child would say "no school".  Involving your child and helping them to see their future strengthened through education can be motivating.  In the end, remember that you are the adult but also remember, we were once in their shoes.  

So, as you finish out your summer,  I hope you consider helping your child get off to a good start, celebrating who they are -they are special, they are our future, go into the new year with a bigger bang than ever before.
Lexi
​Next post July 8th.        

Summer break is finally here for many of us. It's a time to just shut down and lock up the old school desk until a later time.
Summer break is an important part of the homeschooling process.
Our kids need to experience relief from stress, too.  They spend a year trying to please you, make good grades, and the whole time they are being molded, stretched and shaped. It can be stressful to their little shoulders just as much as life can be stressful for our adult shoulders.
Many families have worked hard to take that long awaited vacation to a far away
never-land. No doubt you've spent some quality time with your spouse and/or the kids discussing the possibilities for your summer break.
In this post, I thought I would include some tips to keep in mind while planning how you and your family will unwind.  

• Eye Candy:
  For me, just getting out to see someplace different can be refreshing.  But maybe your family just wants to go to your favorite summer camp. That's just fine or perhaps you can take the kids to see a Native American Pow Wow.
• Do You Hear What I Hear:
  It is a proven fact that water can regenerate the soul.  Ocean sounds help remove stress, increase attention and focus, aids in sleep, and increases memory to name a few.  Perhaps a week at a an ocean or a good sized lake will melt away the stress.
• It’s Okay To Be Lazy:
  Sometimes, it's just getting away to do absolutely nothing, sleep in, enjoy an afternoon nap without having to cook or perform for anybody for any reason. 
  

For me, I'll be catching up on some much needed writing. Let’s see, there should be a cabin in the woods where I can hide away, hmmm.
I've scoured MSN for some links to share.  Maybe one of these will inspire your summer time and help you and your family rejuvenate those batteries.
      Summer travel for working families
      Affordable U.S. destinations
      5 U.S. river cruises
      More travel ideas from MSN
Enjoy your summer break while you can. It won't be long and we'll be back at planning for the new school year.  
What rule of thumb do you go by when choosing how to spend your summer?  Do you have budget friendly ideas to share with others?  If you are interested, send us your pics via email and I will post them here.
Happy Summer,
Lexi
​In next post, we'll discuss an annual planning event.  See you June 24th.