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Fall is the perfect time for a trip to Mackinac Island if you ask me! Mackinac Island State Park is home to TWO historic forts including Fort Mackinac, incredible rock formations, horse and bike trails, and so much to explore. If you’ve never experienced Mackinac, it’s accessible only by ferry, and cars are not allowed on the island, so it feels like stepping back in time. We visited a few weeks ago and stayed at The Windermere this time. We were so happy with the beautiful historic charm and kid-friendly service. It’s right in town and close to everything you’ll want to see. Be sure to visit the secret garden at the @Grand Hotel, pick up fudge from @Murdick’s Famous Fudge, and do the island loop bike ride. We also had a blast at the Hall of Mirrors on Main Street, and found a new favorite toy shop! Don’t miss the great drinks and food at the Pink Pony and coffee from the Lucky Bean (the local’s favorite spot). #tiktokgocreator #mackinacislandmichigan #mackinac #michigan #puremichigan @Pure Michigan

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We tend to ease into school slowly. Adding a couple subjects at a time until we’re at our full course load so I can make sure the routine feels manageable and consistent as we go wider and deeper. That can mean we don’t finish our curriculum until part way into the following school year. When I start to worry that we’re behind, I take a step back and remember that one of the beauties of homeschooling is the ability to go at OUR pace. That the grade number on the cover is subjective and teaching to my kids’ learning style matters more than starting or finishing “on time.” So we are still working through first grade language and math for R and that’s ok because she is so confident and hungry for reading and learning, I know we’re doing something right. We use @The Good and the Beautiful language for R. For D we have been LOVING @treehouse.schoolhouse preschool alphabet printables; they incorporate tactile, tracing, and beautiful art and it’s so affordable. For math we’ve loved Math With Confidence so far for R and we’re using number worksheets from education.com (free printables) for D. Our history and science are both from @Beautiful Feet Books and I will use their curriculum for electives forever because they are everything I want. They incorporate art, hands on crafts and recipes, living books, and rich lessons. R is doing horseback and pottery classes through a public school partnership that covers class costs and gives her quick and simple online lessons in PE and Art, and she’s also doing a STEM class through that combined with monthly @KiwiCo crate. D is taking ballet and loving it! Our city has a wealth of resources and family events, so we try to get out and about to our art museum, botanic garden, trails, or other field trip at least once a week. Teaching two and having them both in extra curriculars is a very different cadence and mommy work load than we’ve ever had, but I’m so thankful to be able to be the one guiding their education and I wouldn’t change it for anything (even if my brain feels like it’s melting by the end of most days). #homeschoolmom #homeschoolpreschool #homeschoolcurriculum #homeschool

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Calling Grand Rapids, Michigan parents! You don’t want to miss the chance to take your little theatre lover to Dragon’s Love Tacos at Grand Rapids Civic. The play is based on the beloved children’s book by the same name, and features fun special effects and a fantastic young cast who bring the story to life. With a runtime of just 45 minutes, it felt like a perfect show for my kids’ short attention spans and all performances are pick your price so it’s even family-friendly to our budget. Both my kids absolutely loved it, and I can’t recommend it enough. Don’t wait, though, it only runs through October 18! @grcivictheatre #grandrapids #grandrapidsmichigan #michiganmom #theatrekids #michiganmomtok