the advantage homeschoolers have is impromptu fieldtrips. they are everywhere! homeschool group fieldtrips has their advantages, that's for sure. but, don't underestimate the experience of going it alone. ... just open yourself up to opportunities! i've found that many, many people are more then willing to take a moment or two and tell you and your children about their job. perhaps even take a tour. i've never been turned down. a couple of memories that stick out for us is, when my neighbor had a well drilled and i made my son go over at watch and ask questions. he even walked through the field with his lawn chair. another time, he helped a tree planting service, plant and water trees. my friend rhonda, seeked an opportunity at a military store! she and her boys were offered a ride in a ww2 impliment. you can't do that everyday!

today, we visited my mom's friend and her husband, at one of their homes... (this picture was taken awhile back-we have zero snow in this part of michigan, today) they live in an upscale neighborhood, in a mansion, which was built in 1929. my son and i and even my mom, learned a wealth of information about this historical house! we toured the maids quarters and staircase, appreciated the bullet style door hinges, learned about birch wood doors and cherry hardwood floors. we learned windows can be built in the center of chimneys... and we even explored a japanese tea house on the premises. i won't go into all the details... but, there i was definitely educated, enlightened and inspired. as well as my homeschooler! hidden safes. hidden stair cases, tank-less toilets, secret buttons to call the maids, and the list goes on.

so... don't be shy... look around and take advantage of what's going on out there!