ALL DONE!
Well, we supposedly had our last day of school a few weeks ago. WHAT A YEAR!
We not only survived, but it went so quickly and we all seemed to enjoy it - not that it was without dark days and darker moments, but we really moved through those (at least I hope - I'll tell you when we're in therapy).
SECOND SEMESTER- Thumbs Up!
I haven't written since November, so, to sum up the second semester....
We did not seem to take a 2 week Christmas break. I had scheduled time for one... but, even the day after Christmas, the kids were wandering around and so we easily fit in 5 hours of learning "school." So, by the time our vacation to visit my parents came around (2 weeks from Jan 24th - Feb 8th), we were well into our second semester curriculum and ready for the change. I decided not to bring ANY academically focused learning materials (other than an ipad to get us through the long flights and long layovers :-)). I needed a break from an intense six month school year. St. Lucia with my mom and 2nd dad Winston was awesome and full of learning w/o any kind of "trying" to teach. Aaaaaahhhhh... local language, culture, food, the second best open air market in the world, beach, hermit crabs, watercolor... on and on. That was just the first few days. Then, we were on the boat for 3 nights together. All together. 6 of us. 400 sq feet. A (loud)toilet that you pump out. Baths off the side of the boat. LOVELY!!!! The kids slept in their births and were sound asleep before any of us. Mom cooked amazing meals and taught the kids how to tie knots with the lines in the cockpit.
They jumped off the boat into the water, up and down, up and down - drove the dinghy around, went to the beach, visited a fort from the 1700's that detailed the 14 separate French & British battles for the island. We played games, read books. We then moved to the more Euro-chic side of the island where we heard so many different languages, met many of Island Girl's friends and had a lovely room with a view of the ocean and the most magical sunsets I've ever seen. Swimming, swimming, swimming, swimming! We'd walk through town, meet others or just keep to ourselves. The perfect time. So Cherished.
Back to reality and hit the ground running.
- MOST importantly, as a result of her independent Bible studies and just hangin' out time - Ginger had come to the conclusion that she and God were meant to take the next step and she was baptized in our hot tub in February.
Her favorite scripture was in Acts - the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch. It was an incredible process to witness. We'd just point her to scripture and it came to life for her.
- We switched Ginger from one public school enrichment (meaning a one-day-a-week homeschool programme) to another and it made all the difference in the world! There were women there who I connected with more easily and many of the kids were part of the CBS that we went to on Wednesdays - more community! Also, I realized that there was a world out there that was homeschooling for reasons that were different from mine, but a bit more similar than the other enrichment we'd been going to. BONUS - We have access to their whole school district's curriculum store and their online Rosetta Stone passcode for only $25!!!! So, we've started French. Her enrichment had a precious daddy daughter dance and other fun actvities for the kids - participate fully in Ameritowne, etc
- I found an html coding website curriculum for free. SWEET!~ www.codeacademy.com
.After a few months, I realized, the last day of curriculum was approaching - already 180 days of rigorous curriculum accomplished by the middle of April...
What does that mean? That means that we completed the 2nd grade curriculum as well as other activities/classes.
That was exciting for about 5 minutes.
Then, I became a bit panicked - what now? The last day of school in mid-April? What are we going to do? Eat, sleep and stare at each other? I am so used to my former life. The fun part of the last days of the year - field days, Popsicle days, Teacher Appreciation Days, maybe I'm supposed to fill in the last month before memorial day with those?
The good news is, we still have Grant's preschool, Ginger's enrichment, Kumon every day, French, HTML coding, reading, piano, ballet 2x's a week and Jiu Jitsu. OK - I feel a little better.
But what do we "call" those things? Not "school" - so, what is it? Learning?
It's weird to celebrate the last day of school and still continue education - but I'm sure that I did this last summer - didn't we have things to do other than watch TV after swim team?
I just can't remember them. I feel so uncomfortable, uneasy. I want to know that my kids education is the best in the whole world (so silly). I want to know, for certain, that after all of the planning and teaching and talking and praying and shepherding and guiding and playing and driving - is it working? Are they the most developed, intellectual, spiritual, grounded, fun, healthy kids on the planet this year? I fight the voice that says "failure" if they're not. Will she remember anything?
I am grateful that Grant's preschool and Ginger's enrichment have field day activities coming up. It sounds ridiculous, but that stamp of tradition eases the transition for me.
Anywhoo... so I guess it's a transition time from Spring to Summer and I am having an awkward time of it.
SOME THOUGHTS FROM THE YEAR:
How do I know it was a "good" year? I don't really - if I look to anything tangible - but it was such a huge risk and I see so much richness because of it,- spiritually - intellectually - I guess that's all I should "look" for as kudos?
I have noticed some annoying thoughts/doubts like, "I'm using so much energy and taking so much time and money just to help my kids, in my home - it seems so selfish and limited." I wonder if I could do more for more people and if that isn't much more noble than what I'm doing? Then, the question - am I in a race for nobility (which includes humility, not pride), or am I following the path that was so clearly laid out for me?
I genuinely would love to have some kind of credentials - partly so I can say that I have credentials - but I feel the pull to really be qualified in some way shape or form on the academic/neurological side of things..... ? I'm reading books on development - but may look into a correspondence course of some kind so I can plug into that more.
Is the academic challenge strong enough? Coherent/cohesive/comprehensive enough? Is it enough? Am I enough? Am I building character? I have observed that my kids will definitely see our need for a savior because of my example = yikes. Thank God God is God.
I love taking time with my kids. Knowing my kids. Learning US History was awesome (I just typed that and it looks like I'm lying - but it really was). To walk with so many people through their stories, on a quest to worship and live with fervor and freedom at any cost, in extremely perilous circumstances... that was so inspiring and passionate!!!!!!! I actually liked the history more than science - VERY weird for me.
Learning my daughters learning style and realizing the puzzle of translating a concept from my brain, through the filter of my learning style to my teaching style to her brain through her learning style. woa... at least we both speak English.
Grant was AWESOME to have in the classroom. I thought he'd just want to go play in the basement - but he liked some of the curriculum more than Ginger or I did and so we just incorporated him into the drill. I have a notion that doing Kumon has greatly aided in his getting used to "studying" concepts and solving puzzles.
I loved to learn. I also love seeing the improvements in myself and my daughter.
Ginger and Grant's relationship is transformed. Truly. No other way to describe it.
We fit so much in.
There are limitless resources out there and so many educators willing to help. We may even go to the high school next fall to start French classes!
WHAT HAVE I DONE TO FUEL MYSELF THIS YEAR?
- TAKING THE STEP - The fact that we took this step was truly invigorating. To follow a path that, in my own mind, was ludicrous, but was so clearly from God, is the most transcendent thing I've EVER done (save reading the Bible for the first time). The intense learning curve and prep itself fueled me. This was a huge mountain to climb and I really enjoyed the prep for it, the emotional challenge, spiritual growth, physical demands and time with my kids. I loved to learn the academic factoids around every corner, googling the google resources that are out there for roam school kids, confronting my own arrogance & judgements to humble myself before the God that brought me here in the first place :-).
I also have to thank all of my family and friends for the surprising amount of support. The ratio of support to discouragement was surprisingly high and I cannot tell you what a lovely thing that was. I was prepared for the worst - who knows what some were saying behind closed doors (I was saying it about myself) - but I felt so supported. THANK YOU!
DIGGING DEEP - Involving myself in CBS (community bible study)! Their curriculum is AWESOME and you can't beat it for my kids. I get deep spiritual (nonbiased) insight and the kids have built amazing friendships in a short amount of time (THANK YOU KRISTIN NISONGER!) In fact, I have to post a part of the CBS mission statement:
" Since its inception the philosophy of Community Bible Study has always been that it is every person's Bible study, available to all. Each man, woman, youth, and child will be so cared for and loved that all will feel comfortable in their class regardless of background, education, church involvement, ethnicity, or economic status. Our desire is to build unity in the midst of diversity in our community."
The whole thing is awesome, but I loved that part of it.
MA GIRLZ - Girls nights/day outings - this has been great. Who doesn't need girl time?
However, there has been a shift. I find I need to focus on things that are a little more rejuvenating and less of an "escape." I find that I'd like to do something at the gym or a dance class. I'd looooove to learn how to really play the guitar. I can putz around, but not really play.
PLAY DATES - Had play dates with friends' & their kids. I'd say I had two moms that I particularly clicked with who had kids schooled at home and who clicked with my kids. Those times have been very encouraging to me and my little ones as well.
One was a freshmen homeschool mom like me and one was a vet.
I particularly enjoyed it because they have such a great way of discussing/sharing things about their deep convictions, but somehow without judgement. We are different enough in our approach to life that it is fun to learn from our conversations. Our quest was the same, to honor our spiritual convictions in our behavior and conversation. It was nice to have someone to hold me accountable to that. My inertia always is in the direction of hypocrisy.
MEDITATION - YIKES! I scheduled a time to have a silent prayer retreat in June - by myself. I'm terrified. I may come home after 2 hours instead of 2 days. We'll see what God has for me. I've been taunted with this idea for the last 4 years.
FREE DAY! - I made sure that the kids had an enrichment on the same day for the same amount of time and that was off limits to schedule for work or anything in particular. I had my Fridays to look forward to and they were sacred. A friend of mine volunteered her time on those days and I felt bad for not doing the same - again - selfish? I wasn't ready for that it felt - but, for what? Still wrestling with what to do on my free days. Most of the time I'd just have coffee or lunch w/friend & play tennis. It was nice, but not that rejuvenating most of the time - though the coffee time with friends was fab.
WHAT DID WE GET THROUGH THIS YEAR?
Most days at home (not enrichment days) we were at it from 8:30 or 9:00 - 2:00 or 2:30.
Prayed
Ginger studied and was led to baptism in February
Completed studies of both Deuteronomy and Hebrews
Adventures in My Father's World curriculum - US History
3 Units in Rosetta Stone French
Html coding basics - tags, images, links
Wrote 5 kids books for school
Advanced 2 levels in Kumon Reading & Math
Completed 2.5 levels of Singapore Math curriculum
Completed 2 units of Spelling Power
Completed study of 50 states (facts, maps, history)
Completed study of the US from exploration to Abraham Lincoln's presidency
Compiled a US Notebook with summaries of each reading assignment in History and a fact sheet for each state.
Learned 10 Patriotic Songs and their origin
Learned Tchaikovsky and his music as well as attended Swan Lake & The Nutcracker Ballet
9 months of Colorado Ballet Academy lessons and advanced a level
Painted, drew, crafted, created, wrote, illustrated, molded, constructed, sewed, sang...
Private lessons in piano for 9 months and in quite a few recitals
Appeared in walk-on role for The Nutcracker downtown at Ellie Caulkins
Read countless books and has 3 more to finish the Little House book series
Played a lot of cool educational apps/typing/coding/writing/drawing/etc.
Science Matters enrichment camp & science experiments at home
50+ slumber parties with her brother in their rooms and adopted little baby "cousins' who play together.
Visited parts of the world they hadn't before - including Orcas Island and St. Lucia
Participated in Brownie Troop 62231 - went to Camp and earned a LOT of patches/badges/etc.
Saw the Van Gogh Exibit at the DAM - WOWOWOW!!!
Studied Art History and classical techniques with private professional artist.
I don't know if I'm forgetting some things...
WHAT I WOULDN'T DO AGAIN?
hmmm... thinking about that.... must reflect ...
WHAT I WILL DO IN THE SUMMER?
swim team... tennis... friends... sleep... eat... dirt... camp... family camp... research a plan for next year :-).
WHAT TO DO WHEN MY SON STARTS KINDERGARTEN AT ANDERSON ACADEMY (YIKES!) IS THAT THE RIGHT THING?
I'm so emotional about Grant leaving his preschool - all of his teachers were seriously angels - ministering spirits to my sweet and incredibly challenging toddler. God has used that village in miraculous ways for my little boy who is now a big boy and with an emerging gentle spirit. He's so sweet with little ones and I see his love for his sister - it's amazing. At least he'll have CBS and enrichment as well as Jiu Jitsu.
WHAT IS THE DEAL FOR NEXT YEAR?
TBD - so far, I know we'll be doing Options Enrichment, CBS, Kumon, Jiu Jitsu, Ballet & Piano.... Singapore Math, Spelling Power, Rosetta Stone French, Codeacademy.com, Art classes... Not sure about history/language arts/science. Possibly Classical Conversations... I also want to help them start something that benefits others in the community - to take a leadership role in mobilizing one of their interests and making it a real-life thing. I'm also interested in developing a robot of some kind - either through the legos robotics or the old fashioned way. We'll see.
