Magic Schoolbus Kits-Going Green

I cannot say how much I love these kits! I am not a sciency person who just can't wait to do experiments. These very affordable kits are absolutely the best thing for a person like me. There is something in there for all of the kids to learn. This past week we ventured into the Going Green kit.
We started by setting up our compost tube that we need to observe for the next few months.

It will be interesting to see the process as we are unable to see into our large composter out back.

Then we moved on the paper making activity which wasn't as green as it should have been since we had to rip up perfectly good construction paper since they didn't want it to look like newspaper. Now that I think of it, I am not sure how that is even considered a green activity in the end since you use quite a bit of water and electric. Oh well.
 

Our little froggie wanna-be's!

We recently became owners of 16 amazingly cute tad poles. I have always been fascinated by these little critters and wanted to raise them. Not really sure if I bargained for 16...but here goes nothing!

It remains to be seen what we will do with the little guys once legs start to appear and we have to make their environment a bit more frog friendly. My biggest fear is that they will drown! Right now we are feeding them boiled lettuce that we chop down and they hang on it eating like nursing babies. Pretty funny to watch. The plan is to put them into a deeper tank of some sort once they are close to changing. The kids want to keep frogs but I really doubt I can keep up with feeding my own 6 kids plus 16 frogs!

I went online and grabbed this nature study unit in hopes of gleaning as much out of this as we can. I love Shining Dawn units!

Reviewing the why of it all....

Recent events have me reconsidering the "why" behind the decision to homeschool. I used to think that it was superior education. While I still believe I can give my kids a more tailored and generally better education, I no longer feel this is the driving force. I want them with me; with the family. Time is flying and soon I will have one graduating.
That terrifies me. I feel like I have missed out on so much because he spends all of his time away from the family and at school. I wish I could take back those days. Soccer Star and Mini Monster get along so well and I am afraid that he will flee the nest and lose connection with the littlest. What I really love about homeschooling the youngers is that they learn to live and communicate better with their siblings. I don't have that. I don't even speak to one of my brothers and rarely see the other. We have nothing in common. So much for the great socialization that public provided. I learned to disconnect from my siblings and my family is what I learned. I barely remember being at home once I could drive! I want more for my kids. I want them to be friends and have more than what I have with my siblings.
Another change in thinking is that I really don't value or put much stock in the overwhelming pursuit of a 4 year school. WASTE of money for the most part. So much can be done at CC for a fraction of the price.
That said, I do have 2 in public school and hate it every day they walk out the door. My greatest wish would be that they came home and spent their days with us, lunches outside in the sun, and impromptu field trips to fun places. I just miss them.