We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo!!!!

Good evening everyone! I hope you all had an AMAZING Valentine's Day! I know we sure did :)
Today, I was lucky enough to be a chaperon on my son's field trip! We had such an amazing time. I love being able to do these things with my son! They're only young once, right?

It has been SOOOOO long since I have ridden on a school bus! But I made it! We got to see so many awesome animals today. My son loves animals.

This strange lookin fella is a vulture. He was NOT happy we were there!!!!

 I'm not a fan of this guy. Here's the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake. They are rampant around here where I live. eeeeeekkkkk!!!!

 Beautiful, beautiful cougar. He's still young yet but they have trained him to pace that fence like a champ. AJ was so excited to see this guy!

 My absolute favorite: the Giant Tortoise! I couldn't get a good picture of his head, he was having lunch. I LOVE any type of turtle :)

 Well hello there Mr. Cheetah!!! This guy decided right after this picture to run laps around the enclosure after the other cheetah in there. They were so cute playing!!!

 The lazy Gila Monster. AJ loves reptiles! He stood by this guys tank for what seemed like forever. I am so happy he has an interest in animals!!!!

 Another rattlesnake..... yuck! But AJ enjoyed seeing it. I still have the shivers!

                                                               Oh hello there Tiger!

               Crazy Emus wouldn't stay still to get a good picture. They are very beautiful though.

 HUGE HUGE HUGE python. This picture does it no justice at all. That's about 1/2 of it. Thankfully he was in there alone, I don't think there would be room for anything else in there!

                                  Excited boy at the zoo!!! He loved every minute of being there.

                                           Ahhhhhhh..... and the snooze on the way home!!!!

I cannot wait to take him back to the zoo. If anyone lives in Central Florida, the zoo is amazing. We had such a great time and learned a lot about the animals. I really want to get the family together and do the nocturnal animal walk!!!

I am so thankful to be able to do this with my son. Last year, this wouldn't have been possible. Through the grace of God, I have been well enough to do all these awesome things with my son and husband.

NEXT TRIP WILL BE FAMILY FUN!!! WOOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!

God bless and keep smilin'

Stephanie

Homeschooling - my choice is becoming clearer

I have tossed the idea of homeschooling my son around for a while. He's in gifted classes in public school. He's very energetic. He's an amazing child. He has grown a login public school. S what's driving my decision to change that?

FEAR

Just this morning, the news reported two high school students were arrested for bringing a .25 caliber hand gun to school (see link below). This town is no more than 20 minutes from my home. These children, thats right children, had this weapon in one of their lockers ALL DAY before someone noticed they were acting strange at the end of the day.
http://www.wesh.com/news/central-florida/volusia-county/Student-brought-gun-ammo-to-Deltona-High-School-officials-say/-/12983450/18457372/-/format/rsss_2.0/-/hdmumq/-/index.html

School used to be a safe haven. It used to be somewhere where your biggest worry was I'd you remembered to turn in your homework. Now, there's always the fear of someone harming you. Whether its weapons, bullying, fighting, jumping, whatever you want to see it as. I am disgusted at what this country has come to and pray that people open their eyes.

Every state has their own guidelines with homeschooling. I will be doing a lot of research to ensure my son gets the education he deserves and be safe while getting that education. I'd love to hear other homeschooling families opinions and experiences. My son will be finishing 1st grade and I am really leaning more toward homeschooling from here on out. Please keep comments appropriate, as I know this is a touchy subject to some.

God Bless and keep smilin'

Stephanie