Myan Ruins

Climbing to the top of the ancient Myan temple was a personal triumph for me. The steps were each a different depth and heighth but were placed so that the climb was nearly vertical. My thighs hated me for every single step I mastered, but the pain was buffered by the invigoration of accomplishment. I was amazed at the architecture and detail created by a people that most consider primitive to us, and I was completely shocked to see the infamous Myan calendar. I learned that the world isn't going to end on December 22, 2012, but instead we will start a new cycle of years... just like after minutes, hours, days, weeks, and months complete cycles, the Myans believed that there was a larger cycle of years. They were such an inteligent community, and I am in awe of the discoveries they made with such basic tools. I feel so humbled to be able to study something with Drew, to try and teach him about a place I've never seen, and then to be able to go there and experience it with him, and to learn things that I didn't even know that I didn't know. Thank you Grandpa, for encouraging us to go, for giving me the confidence to explore the world around me, and for giving my son an opportunity that most students never have. He has not only learned about, he has experienced the world around him.

The Countryside of the Yukaton Peninsula

I expected our bus ride to be a nice little time to nap before our big hike, but when the clostraphobia hit and I opened up the shades, I was overcome with humility. I had never seen such poverty paired with such contentment. I saw homes without walls, children playing with old tires standing barefoot and naked on piles of rubble with smiles on their faces. I saw women cooking on open fires in front of their homes and men cutting their yards with machettes. I felt so overwhelmed by the bounty that I take for granted every moment of every day, and I saw such beauty in the simplisity and joy of these strong and focused people.  I felt so uncomfortable as armed militia escorted our bus through the cities, but it wasn't just a physical turmoil, my moral compass had shifted under the gravity of what I saw.  My life, my thoughts, my comparitive core will never be the same.

La Tienda in Tulum Mexico

Next we stopped at a little la tienda for a snack and some shopping.  Everything was delicately hand made, but I think my favorite trinket was the mask made of polished volcanic rock.  Our tour guide told us that El Dorado was believed to be the city of gold, but instead, it was made of this polished obsidian that turned a golden color when exposed to sunlight. He told us the story while holding the rock in his hand, and when he extended his arm out of the shadows and into the light, you could hear the crowd gasp as the rock changed color before our eyes.

Our New Homeschool Curriculum

I had to take a break from our marathon of world travel posts to write a quick little review of our fabulous new home school curriculum.  I found this little jewel online one day after a defeated, not the way home school is suppose to be kind of day.  I've really struggled to find ways to teach Drew.  We learn so differently, I still have a million other things I have to do besides teach him every day,  Maddi also wants my undivided attention, and sometimes we just get tired of staring at each other all day long.  Drew loves activities on the computer, so with this online program, he's able to complete the more monotonous tasks in a different and exciting way, and we're still able to do the fun projects and experiments and supplements together.  We are both so much happier.  I'm not standing over his shoulder explaining worksheets to him; instead, I get to me the fun music teacher, the wacky art teacher, and the crazy scientist.  It's taken the stress from us, and engages Drew in learning through videos, graphics, and even samples of other students answers and art work, and with our crazy schedule, we can still do school work from any where and at any time.  So, if you're in a home school rut like we were, go check out their website.  www.time4learning.com

As a member of Time4Learning, I have been asked to review their online education program and share my experiences. While I was compensated, this review was not written or edited by Time4Learning and my opinion is entirely my own. Write your own curriculum review or learn how to use their curriculum for homeschool, after school study or summer learning.

Playa del Carmen Mexico

After a short ferry ride, we reached Playa del Carmen a luxurious resort city located in the Yukaton Peninsula. Again, we were only here for a short time as we walked down the pier and through the city streets to board a bus headed for the ancient Myan Ruins.

Cozumel Mexico

Our stop in Mexico was the most incredible experience of my life... well aside from the whole birthing my children miracle and marrying my one true love... so I guess it will be a fabulous third runner up. We weren't in the city of Cozumel for long, but we had a fabulous entry with hosts dressed in authentic mexican wear, then walked quickly through the port and down a few streets, and then boarded our yellow and navy ferry headed for the mainland.