A tutorial on a cheap winter's jaunt

February is a wonderful time to be a homeschooling family. There are always lots of specials from places that would love to have business, but just don't have the vacationers coming their way. Next week, I'm taking Jacob, Wesley, Carly & Ryan on a little trip. Jacob's friend, Seth, is also coming along. He's a great kid and we all enjoy his company.

But -- back to the bargain trip. Tuesday, we are planning on leaving and going to the Newport Aquarium in Kentucky. Right now they are having a special where you get 2 free kids (under 12) tickets for every adult ticket purchased. So I will buy a ticket for myself and Seth (13) and all 4 kids will get in free. Additionally, the kids tickets include a free meal at Bob Evans. Six admissions to a major aquairum plus four dinners for 44 bucks - hard to beat that bargain.

That night and the next we will spend at Abe Martin Lodge in beautiful Brown County State Park. The Lodge is currently having a buy one night, get one night free special. Plus, they have a brand new, indoor water park. The cost of our 2 night stay with admission to the water park...$108.74, tax included. The kids will spend Wednesday partaking in physical education and water studies of some sort while I relax by the pool.

Thursday, after we check out, we will be traveling a bit further to Bloomington, Indiana, home of Wonder Lab Science Museum, where admission is pretty much dirt cheap. On the way home, I plan on treating the kids to pizza at Mother Bear's Pizza -- one of the top 9 pizza joints in the nation according to the People magazine. It is wonderful, and a fantastic way to end our trip.

So, although, we are homeschooling -- we are taking school on the road next week for some neat field trips.