School Time

Hi there,
Here at our home, we LOVE the education process. Lifestyle of learning is what we have always called our desire to live out with our children.......yes, from way back in 1983, when our first was born. We started with our first and decided that no matter what route we took to educate our children, we wanted our home to be the primary source of creativity and education. We read lots of books, talk a lot and do so many hands on things....especially in the area of science. We love the outdoors and even when we lived in town, created many learning opportunities for the kids. From apple picking at the local orchard...then following the "hands on process" of taking apples from whole to juice, to apple crisp, to apple butter, etc. The kids have always been a part. From owning small animals like hamsters, rabbits, rats, frogs, fish, snakes, etc. they have learned and grown because of it. We purchased ducks and let them waddle through our city backyard. It was awesome! We've always had cats and dogs and raised litters of puppies for the kids benefit and our pleasure. Then when we moved to a small hobby farm in 1993, we were at a new level of our lifestyle of learning. Five acres isn't a lot, but when we purchased it, we felt like we were purchasing a ton of property!! lol
We added chickens, cows, horses, goats, sheep and pot-bellied pigs to our menagerie. Raising, caring for and learning about is such an education in itself. As the kids came and grew, we added onto our 1900 built home and expanded outward and upward. This too, was a family event. The kids learned how to construct, reconstruct, add walls and the whole nine yards. The little's even got into the act, whether carring wood, handing mommy and daddy nails, screws, or even started their painting careers by helping paint trim...at age 3. Daddy does the large vegetable garden and mommy does the many many flowers and plants. They help and add their own creative touches in both of these areas. We are thankful that besides our own 7 out of 9, still at home, we also have 3 little grandchildren that also often visit and get to enjoy this little spot on earth that we call home. We do love the experience of being in the country and learning and growing together.