By Holly Giles | Great Outdoors , handicrafts , homeschooling , Uncategorized
Pretending to be Robin Hood in the forest with a bow and quiver or Indians on the Plains, a bow and arrow can bring delight to every child. We have had our share of plastic suction cup arrows in our house and now the boys have real bows and backyard targets. Along the way, Grant […]
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By Holly Giles | Family , Florida , Florida Treasures , florida vacations , Great Outdoors
Florida quail hunting It was 4 a.m. when the dogs began barking from the kennel. They knew it was time to get up and head to Babcock Ranch for the Florida quail hunting youth hunt. It was not going to be an ordinary day. We wearily awoke to quite a chill in the air that made […]
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By Holly Giles | Boy Crafting , Florida , Great Outdoors , homeschooling
Bear Grylls Grant was nine when Bear Grylls became a person of interest. He was all about survival techniques and everyday carry packs. Grant enjoyed watching Bear Grylls’s shows and learning from his expertise. Home education for us is more of a lifestyle. For example, we weave learning into our daily lives. And into what […]
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By Holly Giles | Field Trips , Great Outdoors
National Park Volunteers Did you know that many National Park Volunteers are serving our country by keeping parks and historical lands open to the public? Additionally, many of the beautiful places we visit would be closed if it were not for volunteers. Our family was on a working vacation in Tennessee visiting family. On a […]
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By Holly Giles | Family , Great Outdoors , handicrafts , homeschooling , Simple Living
Prairie Boy Birthday Little House on the Prairie is just as much fun for boys as it is for girls. When my sons decided on a prairie boy birthday party for their joint birthdays I knew I would be in heaven. Our homeschool year had been all about reading the Little House series. In addition, we […]
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By Holly Giles | Florida , Great Outdoors , homeschooling , Nature Study
Adding Wildflowers to your nature study is as easy as looking in your neighborhood. Yes, it can be easy! For some reason, studying wildflowers seems daunting. Where do you find them and how in the world do you figure out what they are? Start in your yard or your neighbors. Most of our area does not use herbicides on […]
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By Holly Giles | Great Outdoors , homeschooling
Fire in my heart It was going to be a good homeschool day. I was on fire about it. I had the planners filled out. The papers, books, and necessary items were within reach. In addition, the anticipation that THIS was going to be a good start to the week. The boys woke up a little […]
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By Holly Giles | Boy Crafting , Florida , Great Outdoors , homeschooling , Nature Study
We love nature study, but sometimes planning it seems to take the joy out of spontaneous interests in the out-of-doors. Although my boys love a good show from the hawks outback or a new bird that shows up, they can balk at a scheduled time to go sit and draw what they see in nature. (yes, those are pj’s, bird […]
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By Holly Giles | Field Trips , Florida , Great Outdoors , homeschooling , Nature Study
Our homeschool co-op visited the Avian Reconditioning Center in Apopka, FL and were treated to a real wildlife show. ARC has been serving the bird of prey community for ten years by Carol and Scott. They have turned their property into a haven for rescue birds and rehabilitation. They work with area officials and clinics […]
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By Holly Giles | Field Trips , Florida , florida vacations , Great Outdoors , homeschooling , Nature Study
The wonderful weather beckons us to be outside! We met up with some friends for a day at Hontoon Island State Park. Come along with us to this hidden Florida gem. Hontoon Island sits along the St. John’s river in Volusia County. It is accessible only by boat. It is a treasure trove of […]
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