Planning little allows spontaneity.  Real life applied now.  Time holds little power over what we do, so we take it by its horns and fill curiosity with as much info as they want.  "Mom, who made the American flag?..."  "Has anyone ever climbed Mt. Everest?..."   The only engraved musts are reading, chores, and music. Thus far this summer, we have seen and experienced an unbelievable amount by stepping out of that Scheduling-Mom-created bubble!

For example, what compares to family camping?  We took a week to relax by Lake Lanier.  Fishing tested our perseverance, kayaking took our imaginations wildly.  "Let's pretend we're Marco Polo trying to find China.  We're lost on the Caspian Sea! Where's the Yangtze River?  Oh no!  Far, far away!"  I try to be a sneaky teacher, and I may have gotten a little carried away.

So, when Annabelle finds a dead crawfish, I guide her to tell her dad she found a crustacean.  "He'll think you're the smartest girl in Georgia."

"A what? A crustian?  What's that?"  She asked.  "Crustacean," I get the chance to answer, "That just means it's an exoskeleton.  Its skeleton is on the outside, not the inside."

"Then, what's on the inside?" she inquires.  "Well, should we dissect it?" I suggest.  Yes, disgusting, but really interesting.

The learning goes on with no planning.  We watch for nimbus clouds (yes, adding to our vocabulary) so we can plan our leisure; we are in no hurry to get artwork done; we loved sitting back on a blanket at Stone Mountain, the large igneous rock, waiting for the Laser Show.  Swimming is too fun, of course, to call exercise. 

All of us are cultivating friendships and memories with neighbors, friends, and family. 

Most importantly, we're taking time to praise God through acts of love in community volunteer work, being tools for God for the spiritually and physically hungry.

Summer's biggest goal for us is FUN.  The rest, as always in any season, is in God's hands.