I home schooled my daughter for a couple of years early on....she's since been enrolled in local public education, which suits her....and me, but I have to admit that there are many things about those days that I miss.  We travelled a lot then, and we all learned so much from our experiences- much more than what work-sheets and text books can provide.

Today I took my four children to the Philadelphia Zoo for the day.  I was surprised and secretly delighted at how enthusiastic they were about learning, about the animals and other more indirect knowledge, naturally- without coercion, or even suggestion from me.  Lily decided she would photograph all of the animals while Liam wrote each species down in his notebook (accumulating over 70 names).  Benjamin took on the self-appointed task of "map reader", guiding to the different locations and the all-important restrooms, while we all helped Seth to distinguish between herbivores and carnivores, the characteristics of the big cats, the differences between the genders within a particular species....

This isn't about me being a stellar parent  because my kids enjoyed a day with lions and tigers and bears.. its validation of the belief that human beings are always learning- naturally.