Spring!

We've taken a short break for Spring Break - to join in with friends. It has been nice. Although, Te...he...hee! I have sprinkled little bits of teaching here and there - the kids have no idea (shhh...!) Today, we went to the Desert Botanical Gardens and it was fantastic. They are in the midst of their Spring Butterfly exhibit and so we got to see that. The kids also got to cary around papers with a list of things to search for. It was fantastic! They really took off with it and now they are Super Saguaro Sleuths! We got to see some cactus flowers today. They always take my breath away. I grew up in the SW, so naturally I've seen a lot of cactus, but I had no idea how many varieties of cactus there is! It's amazing! We are enjoying our "Spring Break." After the garden trip, we stopped at a store and got the supplies to help us with some experiments coming up soon. When we got home, the children immediately planted their seeds. Flopsy's experiment this term is to plant seeds and take care of her plant. I'm going to try and leave most of it to her. Last summer, we planted a garden and that was a wonderful learning experience. Now, we are in a different climate completely and we have new things to learn! I love it. I'll definitely be writing about the experiments as they transpire.

I've been watching a discussion on the AO email list about taking sweets out of the home completely. I'm sorry, but I just cannot completely give up the sweets. I've often teased about chocolate helping my head aches going away. I realize that perhaps, subconsiously (and unfortunately) I hoped that was true. My weaknesses are sugar, chocolate, sugar, soda, and more sugar. I also have a weakness for that "fourth meal." I admit, I have not been taking care of my body. And sadly, my children have seen it and commented about it. I have decided today to cut out soda (I think completely) and try to seriously cut down the amount of sweets I injest. I'm sure my husband will be pleased with this decision, but he's my enabler! He loves to buy chocolate for me when he takes the kids shopping. I can't count how many bags of chocolate are in this house, stashed in different places - even in my undies drawer! I know, this is sad. Here I am folks, a complete chocolate junkie! I am addicted and I need help! And I write this as I am battling a head ache. I've taken some pills - which I am getting sick of doing, I can't stand pills. Thankfully it's getting better, but I've got to stop hiding the problem. I think that this will be good for the children as well, they seem to accept when I offer the healthy snacks, but they often ask for the sweets. They often ask if something is healthy for them, they are definitely more health consious than I am! But I'm afraid I'm leading them down a dangerous road. It's time to go off roading and find the right path!

So here are my lables:
Spring and Holidays ~ we are so enjoying the warm weather and what Spring as brought to us, not to mention Spring Break!
Experiments ~ nature study experiments will be posted as they grow!
Personal growth ~ lets see if I can get off of the things that are harming my body.
Term 3 ~ nuf said, it's term 3, Spring Break or not!
Nature Study Resources ~ Desert Botanical Gardens is a beautiful place to visit, no doubt! Much to see there.