salute

 

Salute from Kathi Bailey on Vimeo.

homeschooling year round

Since the beginning of our home education journey, we have pretty much been year round homeschoolers.

The first summer we homeschooled, the girls completed public school in mid-June, and by the end of July, we were schooling at home. The next summer we took five or six weeks off, and I can remember sitting in the driveway with Brian, discussing how 'crazy' the kids seemed, and that it was probably due to all the free time. We decided that a few weeks was more than likely enough time off from school, in order to keep everyone in good spirits. So, last summer we took about three weeks off. And it was perfect.

Now, please don't assume that we school five days per week, fifty-two weeks per year. Not at all. We school when we can, and take days and weeks off as needed. If Daddy's off, we're most likely off. If company comes down to visit, we're visiting, not schooling. If there are doctor's appointments and a trip to the grocery store all in one day...you can bet we only got half of our schooling complete. Or none. Nutcracker = no school. Easter Week, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Week, Christmas and New Year's Weeks = no school. And many other days that just POP up (life).

I feel that learning (school) is just a part of life. And I know that my children completely thrive on routine, and knowing what to expect out of a day. If I were to shelve all our books come the end of May until the beginning of September, life would be crazy, and no one would know what to do next.

BUT...

I'm feeling that urge. I want to shelve it all. I want to sleep in. I want to play in the pool all day. Or swing on the swings at the park all afternoon.

But I know, that even if we do proclaim Summer Vacation, that those things will not happen. We are a Large Family. We have an 18 month old all the way to a fourteen year old, and most ages in between. It takes a METHOD to keep all those different ages and stages content, happy, going! My boys have never slept in a day in almost nine years. We can play in the pool like no body's business...for about forty-five minutes. And we can swing on the swings...until someone has to go potty, or falls and gets hurt, or needs a drink!

There is just no way I can put the learning part of our family on the shelf. It would be like halving our life. Every day there would be something missing. Like routine. And brain exercise.

And then I would spend September through May panicking, as I struggled to complete this or that by a certain date.

So...learn, we will. Every day. Because learning is a part of our life. (Almost) the best part. And it gives us the freedom to take February 17th off, to watch movies on the family room floor by the fire, as the snow piles up. Or May 6th off, to meet friends at the park in the spring sunshine. Or October 23rd off, to carve pumpkin moon shines on the sunporch as the leaves fall. Because that's part of life too. (Almost) the best part.

:: Happy Learning (every day)! ::

daybook, april 14th

Outside my Window...it was a perfect evening weather-wise, but I just saw on Facebook where my friend Suzanne is WARNING her fellow Arkansans about the weather...so now it seems like the perfectness may be gone

What We're Learning...how to pray for the different branches of the government, how Spin Brushes work better than manual brushes (according to our dentist), how there is a difference between mopping the kitchen floor sometime last weekend...or maybe the end of last week...or sometime recently

I am thankful for...the older boys' lead tests coming back normal, and for my mom who is a good listener, and for the rest of the 383rd that is FINALLY! home now.

From the kitchen...for dinner, I made pancakes & bacon, and Korinne made warm, cinnamon applesauce

I am wearing...gray capri pants, Army tee

I am reading...The Classical Teacher, Spring 2011 (it came in the mail today, and has some pretty good articles in it)

I am praying...for my mom's recovery from her knee replacement surgery on Monday, and for my Baby Judah, and for my husband

I am creating...I should be creating my Homeschool Highlights post...but here I am, writing a silly Daybook Entry

I am hearing...Hank the Cowdog playing on the Boys' CD player (they are all asleep, why don't I go turn it off? Because I love Hank.)

I am remembering...to help the kids make their Daddy's Uncle a Birthday Card tomorrow...we keep forgetting, so Brian wrote it up on the white board. I have a terrible memory. Lists are my friends. So are white boards. And husbands who write things down for their wives to remember.

I am going...I should have gone to a Homeschool Mom's meeting tonight. We are going to join a local group soon, but after the dentist this morning, I just wanted to be home.

On my mind...wondering if there will ever be 8ight. A lot lately. I'm ready.

Noticing that...Judah went all day without nursing today. I'm ready for that too. No, I'm not. Yes, I am. No, I'm not.

One of my favorite things...TJ's new toothbrush and the joy it brings him :) It's bright orange and green with a suction cup on the end of it...OH! The Place That Toothbrush Has Been Today!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...The Library and maybe the grocery tomorrow. And Korinne has Ballet. And it's Family Movie Night. Remember the Titans (last week was Dawn Treader, HOW DISAPPOINTING!). And Brian's Homemade Popcorn.