Our Trip to Marshall, TX -- part 1

I just deleted the post I was working on – don’t worry, it was on purpose. I realized that I spend a lot of my time on trips describing all the problems we have in great detail and paint a dismal picture of our trip in the process. So I decided I’m going to tell you about the learning experiences we’re having right now.

Math -- It took us 6 ½ hours to travel 205 miles. That averages to 31 miles per hour.

Grammar, Science, Math, History, Economics, Social Studies -- Currently, the kids are immersed in School House Rock.

Anatomy/Physiology & Psychology – weird combo, huh? I put a pullup on Seth (who’s potty training) so as to avoid an accident in the carseat. You know, you’d think that a kid who seems to love to “go” in his pants when he shouldn’t, wouldn’t have a problem with a free ticket to do it all day long with no consequences!! But, NNNNOOOOOOO!!! He’s insisting on going in the potty, to the point where he’s crying & begging to go to the potty!! I think I’m going to have to revisit this combo of subjects at a later time.

Nutrition / Experiments – can 6 children survive the day on cheese, pepperoni sticks, goldfish, crackers, and juice? Still collecting data on this one. Results will follow in a later post.

Interpersonal Relations – trying to keep the kids from killing each other, and trying to keep myself from killing the kids. Doing much better after my melt down. Having more grace for it.

Spirituality – praying without ceasing. ‘Nuff said.

Art – Ellie & Ian have been keeping themselves pretty occupied with neon pink play dough. Very interesting creations coming from the table right now.

Entomology – (points for a BIG word!!) This morning, Nathan caught a huge leaf bug. Check out the pic! Actually, all the kids found it. Nathan was just the one they elected to capture the poor soul and save him before Micah put it in his mouth. Oh, and we decided to bring Sally Larry Princess Fairy with us on this trip. So I started my morning (before coffee, mind you) with changing out her jar. Gross-ology is more like it!!!

Map Skills – How do we get to Shreveport? Let’s ask the Map to help! Say Map, say Map!! I’m the Map, I’m the Map, I’m the Map, I’m the Map! I’M THE MAAAAPPP!!!!

Civics – Eating dinner in Hope, AK. Birthplace of Former President Bill Clinton. So…um…very…exciting…um, yeah…

Geography – After driving for hours in Arkansas, Zack says, “Dad, are we at the ripped-up sock yet?” (He meant Louisiana.)

Oceanography – Watching “Finding Nemo”. Decided torturing the kids with Planet Earth was cruel & unusual punishment.

Math (Telling Time) – Ellie (in her dramatic state, see below) says, “How much longer?’ David: “About 15 more minutes, sweetheart.” Ellie sobs: “But that will take hours and hours!!! Whaaaaaaahhhh!!”

Drama – Ellie. ‘Nuff said.