Our hotel room had a photo of the Snow Cap Drive In in Seligman, AZ out front. We'll be there in 7 days, so that's a good omen!

.

I have my boots, Mom. Can we go outside?

This spring, we're going to be making a concerted effort toward more outside learning. When we began homeschooling in September, there were several warm weeks which made it possible for us to walk to the local conservation areas.

We have many, world-class nature areas here. For example, the oldest fossil reef on the planet is a 15-minute walk from our door. Scientists come from around the country to study our fossilized reef. How can you pass up a learning opportunity like that?

Today's kids are nature-starved. Even in our rural town, the lack of sidewalks makes it difficult for kids and families to walk to parks and fishing areas easily. In the winter, (especially this winter with weeks of below-zero temperatures and heavy snows), it was easy to stay inside watching documentaries and reading books, but our moods suffered for it. Everyone was more irritable. I even heard the dreaded B-word... "bored."

We did indeed go outside today. With the temperatures finally reaching the low 50s, Gavin even decided that the boots were optional. We played in the last of the snow and tidied up all of the detritus that ends up on the deck and around the house over the winter (like an old cardboard circle from a pizza buried under two feet of snow). If it's anywhere above fifty near you... see you outside!

.

Before the rain washes away our three feet of snow, we had to have bowls of maple slush. Gavin was going outside every few minutes anyway to grab handfuls of snow to suck on, we just added some syrup on top.

.

About thirty seconds after I took this picture, Gavin did a face-plant into the snow and decided it was time to go inside. Immediately.

We've learned that under twenty degrees Fahrenheit is too cold to play outside comfortably... and that Gavin can't put his arms down if he has on more than five layers.

.

Today felt like a day for lemon meringue pie. A little sunny citrus on yet another frigid, blustery day.

.

With a quick search on YouTube and Netflix, we often find a film or documentary to complement our lesson for the day. Today, even though it's Saturday, I suggested we watch Squanto: A Warrior's Tale. Trevor was enjoying the film until Dave walked in and said, "Why are you doing school on a Saturday?"

Hey Dad -- it was just a movie until you called it "school"!

.

I whipped up a quick double batch of colonial brown bread this morning. It rises while baking, so there's no kneading or waiting. This is a great weekday morning recipe which yields two dense, nutty, and slightly sweet loaves that are wonderful fresh out of the oven with a generous slathering of butter. It also makes great sandwiches later in the day!

.