The Close of Summer

The books were placed on respective shelves, the markers replaced, curriculum absorbed and planned, schoolroom cleaned and cozy .... another school year has begun again for our family.

This will be my 13th official year walking this road called "homeschooling".

I notice each year how there are fewer and fewer toys, and instead the shelves now fill up with electronics or microscopes or professional art supplies .... my kids are growing up. I have been so privileged to have grown up alongside them.

We ended the summer with two weeks of purposeful time to enjoy the warmth and joy and anticipation that late summer brings. Fridays all through the summer were reserved for Rec. Nights with the families from our church. All ages participate -- making this a dynamic time of social interaction and great athletic and competitive fun.

It's quite a group taking over one of the local parks to play soccer and ultimate frisbee!

We began our formal school schedule the last week of August. Each day is packed with music, athletics, and academics combined with hours of read alouds, chores, and fun play time together.

Isaac, now officially a high school student, has an intense schedule and the addition of two tutors and one outside class per week. Here he is greatly enjoying his hour long tutoring session with a local homeschool dad/computer programmer. Isaac is intent on learning computer languages and the basics of computer programming. Thus far, it has been a good fit for him!

Josiah has a few homeschooling classes left to complete including a time of reading and sharing (Aristotle style) with me each day on subjects ranging from balancing checkbooks to spiritual leadership. His afternoons and some evenings are spent doing his ADL (accelerated distance learning) -- most of which involves doing college level reading and writing (a whole lot of it!). He is excelling at this and receiving high grades for his efforts in spite of being a 4th year college student at age 16 :-)

Much of my day is spent teaching and or facilitating learning for Isabelle. She is continuing her violin and piano studies as well as learning all of the 3 R's at a 4th grade level. In addition, she is studying Latin and Spanish (very lightheartedly) with our beloved Spanish tutor of several years. The hour with Haline is one of her favorites in the week.

It is rare to have all 3 children at the homeschooling table now, but I seem to remain put while they come to me during their scheduled times. I do cherish this one 30 minute segment when Josiah works alongside us in the homeschool room.

Isaac has always been an independent learner and prefers to study on his own with an occasional check-in and help preparing and studying for tests. It is such a blessing to use every single room of our house each day -- from bedrooms to music room to exercise room!

Isabelle's math studies have been a bit more exciting for her this year when she is given the privilege of solving her problems on her old-fashioned slate that we bought at the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum during our spring cross-country trip. Smile.

We finished out our August with an English Country Dance practice at our home in preparation for a Sweet 16 dance for the young ladies at our church this Friday night. Being raised Nazarene, this was quite a new experience for our family, but we all had a total blast!! Even Isaac, who was quite hesitant at the thought of actually holding the hand of anyone other than his sister or mother, found himself laughing and out of breath. This good old fashioned, clean fun was a joy to host and a sweet time of fun and fellowship with our church family.

I changed the calendar over to September today, writing out all of the various classes and opportunities for fun and service throughout the month. It's hard to believe that another summer is now behind us. There is much to look forward to however, tomato sauce to can, gardens to harvest, pumpkins to pick, instruments to be played, races to be run, learning to be experienced, classes to attend, and moments to be cherished! Good bye to a blessed summer ...