monterey

this past monday was free homeschool day at the monterey bay aquarium. i want to stop for a second and say how very thankful i am for oppurtunities like that. as a large family on 1 income we do not get to do big things like that very often. when oppurtunities like this arise we need to seize them! but i think this also helps us not to take things for granted. the icing on the cake was daddy being able to come along. i only enjoy these trips when we get to do them as a complete family. the children had a blast. it blesses my heart to observe the children taking it all in. especially the little guys that have never seen anything like this before. its also special to see the middles that are just able to understand it all, enjoying it. i would have to say the shark was the biggest hit for the children. i personally liked the sea horses. what an interesting creation. and hubby and i couldnt help but crack up at the video of the daddy seahorse popping the little babies out of his pouch. i think its safe to say hubby is very glad he is not a seahorse. the weather was beautiful we could not have asked for a nicer day. the drive out there is always nice. the kids get to see farms, and animals, mountains, and then finally the ocean. coming home is not as fun. everyone is tired and grumpy and just wants to be in bed! one thing that still sticks out in my mind is something my friend told me as we were leaving. she asked one of the employees if they noticed anything different on homeschool days than on regular admission days. he said yes, they tone back on the education portion because it is not in line with most of the homeschoolers beliefs. i thought this was very neat. i thought this was very respectful. it is nice that they didnt take the oppurtunity to "educate" our children.