One of the fabulous benefits of being a homeschooling family is that you can travel whenever you want to. Another is that your schoolroom is the real world. So we're off on a Thanksgiving adventure that blends together time with family, new friends, old friends, American history, and our Catholic faith, as well as long card rides for both family bonding and lots of literature both on tape and read aloud.
So starting this Thursday, this family school becomes a mobile unit. First stop, my sister's house in Greenville, South Carolina. After a short visit we are off to Williamsburg, VA for a taste of colonial life. From Williamsburg, we'll head to Front Royal, VA for a visit to a great Catholic ministry, its neighboring Catholic college, and the Shenandoah National Park.
From there I'm off to meet an online friend and inspiration in real life. And then on to Paoli, Pennsylvania for a Thanksgiving reunion with some of our dearest friends--my maid of honor, the godparents of our second child, and the person who can make laugh at myself more than anyone. It's been four years since our last visit, and I am beyond excited to see her, hug her blooming belly (baby #4 is on the way) and hang out with her husband and kids. And the very cool extra benefit is that we can head in to nearby Philadelphia for a dose of American History, and picnic at Valley Forge. We'll also celebrate our Evan's second birthday there the day after Thanksgiving.
The next leg of our adventure takes us on to Massachusetts. Our first stop is The National Shrine of Divine Mercy, then a couple of days in Boston before we begin the trek south again.
We are leaving the return leg of our journey open. Perhaps we will revisit our Virginia contacts or stop at my sister's again, or discover someplace altogether new to us.
The next few days will be a crazy mix of organizing, list-making, shopping, and packing. Add a visit with some supercool friends on Monday, and I'm all booked up. Maybe I'll be able to update you from the road, but if not, there'll sure be a lot to share when we get home. I'm letting the kids take turns narrating each day for our travel journal. There should be some fun things to share. We won't be back for a good long while, but don't forget about my little corner of the net...I'll be back before you know it!