Links for Friday
I haven’t posted much lately, have I? We’re in the middle of our toughest part of the school year: the stretch between spring break and summer break. Michelle homeschools four weeks on, one week off year-round (with a little bit longer break at Christmas and a two-week stretch in the summer), and during the school year I envy their week-long breaks. But now that spring is finally here, I’m very much looking forward to summer break. I got so much reading done last year during the summer! I’d take the kids and my books to the park, and let them run wild while I read the hours away.
And, there’s nothing that can make you look forward to summer break more than next year’s school books arriving on your doorstep. 
History and science for next year arrived today, and it’s crazy that I still get that little jolt of excitement as I look at the books and think that I can start planning soon!
Kevin has taken the kids to Tae Kwon Do, and Josiah is outside playing, so the house is quiet. (It’s wonderful.) I’m planning to pop Slings and Arrows: Season 1
Since this is still National Poetry Month, I thought I’d start you off with some poetry links.
~ YouTube has a ton of Billy Collins’ poems read to accompanying animation. I don’t quite know how to describe it, but the effect is wonderful. My favorites so far: Forgetfulness, Man in Space, The Country, and Sweet Talk.
~ The Telegraph has an article about the popularity and need for fantasy in our fiction.
~ This article confirms what I’ve been noticing as I shop for food in the past few months. It could be worse, though - as Kris pointed out.
~ MawBooks is having a book giveaway in honor of her 100th post. Click over for details.
~ There are still a couple days to enter the All Girls Getaway contest.
On Saturday, Josiah and I are headed south to Post Falls to visit Marni and Hans and their boys. Hans has graciously offered to watch the boys while Marni and I head to the theater to see Leatherheads. My sister and George Clooney all in one day - what could be better?
Have a great weekend, everyone.
From the yahoo article about food prices: “…or giving their children soda because it’s cheaper than milk.”
What a disservice we are doing to the families of America, eh?
April 17th, 2008 at 6:20 pmI think I might switch to a school schedule like yours. I love having somewhat of a schedule to our days..even though I am not type A at all generally balk at the mention of a schedule. LOL
I have to wait until August or so to order the new school books or I’d never quit for the summer. LOL
April 17th, 2008 at 8:00 pmI am glad I am not the only one who gets excited when schoolbooks for the next year show up on my doorstep. Even if I am suffering from burnout I get excited.
April 18th, 2008 at 6:01 amI love the idea of homeschooling as Michelle does, but living in Wisconsin, we only get so much nice weather so we take off all of June, July, and August! We can save the schooling for those cold snowy winter days. In the summer we are TAKING OFF!
Regarding the Nancy Drew book, it sounded so interesting to me but it didn’t grab me at all. Let me know how you liked it after you read it! Remember you loved Broken for You and I thought it was okay but not that great.
April 18th, 2008 at 7:53 amKris - I know, that struck me, too.
Java - New books always get me excited. I am a planner - I actually enjoy the process of sitting down and planning, making lists of library books to put on hold, etc.
Jennifer - Burnout? For a homeschooling mom? Never!
Eileen - I am still planning to read the book, and will let you know how it goes. Maybe I’ll give up, too! I’m getting less and less patient with books that don’t grab me.
April 18th, 2008 at 6:13 pm