Well this was the week of spontaneous decisions and the magic they can bring....We decided just a matter of days ago to go on a trip to the Snowy Mountains, and stay with a bunch of home schoolers that we had never met before. Like, none of them! Out of the comfort zone a little.....
So, monday morning at 6am (sooooo not my usual time), armed with some new music and pillows, snowboard and beanies, we were OFF in the Johnny Bravo, hurtling down the highway....we loooooove road trips as you can see!
We listened to They Might be Giants "Here Comes Science", Washington, TMBG, Tim Minchin, TMBG, Powderfinger and They might Be Giants. Again.
I think this is our new favourite band! They are AWESOME! This CD is all about science - the elements, the sun and planets, the colour spectrum (Roy. B. Giv!!!)etc etc all wrapped up in funky-ass melodies, riffs and beats, great vocals, lyrics that kids enjoy and that aren't condascending!!!!! Seriously, we played it about 30 times and I still like it!!! Here is a little taste:
So, monday morning at 6am (sooooo not my usual time), armed with some new music and pillows, snowboard and beanies, we were OFF in the Johnny Bravo, hurtling down the highway....we loooooove road trips as you can see!
We listened to They Might be Giants "Here Comes Science", Washington, TMBG, Tim Minchin, TMBG, Powderfinger and They might Be Giants. Again.
I think this is our new favourite band! They are AWESOME! This CD is all about science - the elements, the sun and planets, the colour spectrum (Roy. B. Giv!!!)etc etc all wrapped up in funky-ass melodies, riffs and beats, great vocals, lyrics that kids enjoy and that aren't condascending!!!!! Seriously, we played it about 30 times and I still like it!!! Here is a little taste:
Yeah! Science and roadtrips people!!
Anyway, we got to Jindabyne and found our apartment, met everyone (can you believe there were 10 kids - ALL BOYS!! - something in the water...), hired our skis and settled in for a few days of frosty fun. Everyone we stayed with were part of the home schooling community and just lovely people. The lady who organised the whole thing had done an incredible job of buying food, planning meals, allocating rooms (!) and really making us newbies feel comfortable. Such 'can do' and capable people and great kids!
The first day looked dubious weather wise, so we packed the car up and headed up to Thredbo....with our swimming costumes. Yep, it was pouring up there so we spent a fabulous day at the Thredbo Leisure Centre swimming, climbing on the rock wall, using all the gym equipment, jumping like gazelles and playing with LOTS of balls;)
Anyway, we got to Jindabyne and found our apartment, met everyone (can you believe there were 10 kids - ALL BOYS!! - something in the water...), hired our skis and settled in for a few days of frosty fun. Everyone we stayed with were part of the home schooling community and just lovely people. The lady who organised the whole thing had done an incredible job of buying food, planning meals, allocating rooms (!) and really making us newbies feel comfortable. Such 'can do' and capable people and great kids!
The first day looked dubious weather wise, so we packed the car up and headed up to Thredbo....with our swimming costumes. Yep, it was pouring up there so we spent a fabulous day at the Thredbo Leisure Centre swimming, climbing on the rock wall, using all the gym equipment, jumping like gazelles and playing with LOTS of balls;)
Oh the joy of having a bunch of cool stuff, in a huge space and no time limits!
Anyway the rain meant that it snowed that night!!!! So, the next day we went up to Charlottes Pass with some new friends and there was fresh snow!! Snowboarder Nirvana!!! No lift lines, blue skies, spring weather - a pretty perfect day actually.
Anyway the rain meant that it snowed that night!!!! So, the next day we went up to Charlottes Pass with some new friends and there was fresh snow!! Snowboarder Nirvana!!! No lift lines, blue skies, spring weather - a pretty perfect day actually.
Tired, stoked and hungry we enjoyed our final night of lasagne and X Factor with our newfound friends. And I am so glad we took a chance to stay with 'strangers'. It reminded me of a very important thing - strangers are just friends you haven't met yet!
And no matter what your circumstance or situation, if you really want to home educate, you will find a way to make it happen. I met two women (single mothers) who really proved that. Kudos to you.
And no matter what your circumstance or situation, if you really want to home educate, you will find a way to make it happen. I met two women (single mothers) who really proved that. Kudos to you.
The next morning, after a brief debacle of locking the keys in the car (but being an unschooler every moment is a learning opportunity - my 6 and 8 year olds now know how to break into a car :) - thanks NRMA guy!), we were waving farewell to fair Jindabyne and heading towards Canberra and....QUESTACON!!!
This place is the definition of funschooling! Interactive, informative, experiential science that made you wonder, touch, laugh, learn and play! We did a freefall experiencing zero gravity, we played with water currents, made a hydrogen rocket go off, saw 'real' lightning up close, felt an earthquake, went on a virtual rollercoaster, tried out a guillotine, did puzzles, made art and had fun aaaaaaaallllllllllll the while. I commented to Gav when we got home ;
"You could hang out at Questacon for a day and learn more science than in a year at school."
"You could hang out at Questacon for a day and learn more science than in a year at school."
And now we are home. Only for one night before heading down to the Northern Beaches for 3 days....Lucky's birthday, the aquarium, a live music gig....the livin', learnin' and lovin' never stops!!!
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