Different path, same level of conviction...

While we were homeschooling, the kiddos seemed very comfortable and proud to be homeschoolers, unschoolers, no schoolers, life livers, whatever they felt best described their path at the moment.  They spoke of it as though there was no other option for them.  I spoke of homeschooling as though it was something we were enjoying now, and could do for the long term, but we were open to other opportunities as they present themselves, based on what the kiddos wish to pursue.  So while they said "We are homeschoolers" with conviction, I probably said "We are homeschooling now".  Their level of commitment and conviction appeared to leave no other options for us.  Homeschooling seemed so engraved in our present, that I thought it would be their/our future.  I was trying to support their path... sometimes guiding too.

So, in a very short time, the whole scene changed.  They decided to go to school.  I don't think it was something they had considered for awhile, more like through some random events/conversations, it happened.  I hardly had time to catch my breath.  I didn't really know what to guide(except that I did present Montessori as an option to public school), it happened so quickly... I supported their path.

  

Now they are in school.  They are as committed to school as they once were to staying home.  They talk about it as if it were sacred, and defend their school as they used to our homeschool.  They say this is the best school they ever attended(even better than homeschool), the same way they used to say homeschool was the best thing ever.  I remember many conversations Keegan would have with random kids he met, where they would tell him how much they hated school, and he would tell them "Just ask your mom to homeschool, it is so awesome!".   Now he recently told someone who didn't like school "You should go to Montessori, it is so awesome!".

This phenomenon is very interesting to me.  When we were so far away from school or ever going, I never would have imagined them feeling so passionate about a school.  I love that they are present, and love what they are doing NOW, without regrets, second thoughts, ect.  They dive right in and think it is the best thing ever.  I wonder if things would have been the same if they were at the PS or homeschool.  I don't know.  Is it that we keep getting it right?  The right experience at the right time?  Or is it something about them living the moment fully, and going wholly for their experience.  I suppose it could be lots of things.... it just is now.

Now that their path is schooling, it seems so engraved in their present that it also seems their future.  They are once again, committed and convicted to their path.  I again say they are going to school right now, as they say they are Montessori schoolers.  It is hard to imagine us ever homeschooling again.  I see them feeling happy, and excited about their pursuits at school.  I feel happy for them, and it sure is easy parenting when their little beings seem so peaceful, pleasant, engaged, fulfilled....

But what if I had guided them to stay home.  Would they still think homeschooling is the best thing ever?  Have they gone into the school box never to return?  Is their future determined?   Is this box the best thing for them?  I follow some blogs of home and unschoolers, and wonder...

  

I read today...to worry is to draw down curses, whereas to trust is to draw down blessings.  I am going to trust in their chosen path and experiences, and be present and supportive.  I am going to learn from our experiences together that we are all on the same mindset-our options are open.  But learn from the kiddos that we can live and enjoy this experience, and slurp every bit of it up as if we are committed and convicted to this lifestyle...knowing it could change tomorrow. 

 

          

Bryce Canyon

We went for the weekend, and stayed in a KOA cabin.  Jim's first time at a KOA, but we were all used to it after the cross country trip last year.  A long drive to get there, but so worth it, Bryce was beautiful.  

They had a ping pong table at the KOA.  Quinn played a lot, and got pretty good!  Keegan had fun.

  
Keegan used our campfire cooking utensils as swords.

He built a fire.

He got his feet wet.

Quinn didn't want to get her boots wet.

The formations were beautiful.  Mossy cave was our favorite hike with the kiddos.

Keegan took some pictures.

Enjoyed his sister.

Inspiration Point.

A great weekend.

Super Summer Theatre

Aida was showing at Spring Mountain Ranch,

Quinn's friend came along(and Grandma Toni),

They passed the time(2 hours before the show started),

Keegan kept jumping in front of the camera,

When it got dark, Keegan joined in a game of ring toss with some guys using glow sticks bracelets and bottles.  The show was great, and Keegan liked that it was set in Egypt.

Zion, Beautiful Zion

We stopped for fresh apple juice in Springdale,

It was mom's first time to Zion National Park, 

We hiked the riverside trail,

The kiddos loved the water, Keegan went right in, while Quinn wished she would have worn her tevas,

We saw a tadpole,

And Columbine in the hanging gardens,

Played in a pool,

Barely escaped the super friendly squirrels,

Keegan ran for the rapids,

And sunned himself to dry off for the journey back.  Zion was fantastic, as always.

Bubbles

A bubble exploraganza with the Life Learners.  Grandma Toni had just arrived, and had her first day with the group.  

I just liked this picture.

We brought the "bubble thing", home made bubble mix, a coat hanger and a six-pack holder.

Keegan got a good one with the bubble thing.

But the fly swatters were the most fun!

Plenty of the best pears...

I've ever tasted!  My garden saved the best for last.  The pears will end the fruit harvest for the year.  I loved how they came to us, each harvest better than the last, a few apricots, more figs, then the delicious grapes, but the pears are the best of all.

Who's Reading What?

Jim is reading this book with Keegan(it has been going on awhile..).

Keegan is reading these 3, from his 2 top series right now.

Jim reads this while Keegan reads his books.

I just started this one yesterday, and stayed up till 5am, till the words were so blurry I had to go to bed.

Quinn and I just finished this one last night.  It was a gift to my mom from her god mother when she was a little girl.  Quinn and I love stories that go with stories.

Quinn is reading this one to me.

Quinn is writing this one.

Quinn got this one yesterday...

And custom designed my jewelry this morning!

TKD Testing Again

The kiddos get ready to begin.  Keegan tested for his camo belt, and Quinn her Blue Belt.  

Quinn did great on her form one steps, self defense and sparring.

Keegan watched the others as he waited for his turn to do his form, one steps and self defense.

Quinn also had to break a board.

Jim tested for his brown belt.  He got to spar with his favorite TKD buddy.  I got my red belt.

What WILL she do?

That question is coming our way, now that my role as homeschooling mom is over for now.  So I'll answer, not that anyone asking will read this!  Jim is probably getting the inquiry more than me.  Rest easy!, those that know or hardly know me, I'll fill my days, don't worry!

I am really not in a hurry to completely fill my time.  Right now I do not have or want to.  I want to be around for the kiddos if they need a sick day, or want me to come along on a field trip, if they want a mom who isn't totally exhausted when they get home, or whatever they might need.  But I am taking advantage of this time to do some things I haven't had time for before. 

Yesterday, I signed up for the Master Gardener's Program through UNR.  I am excited about taking the classes, learning more about gardening in the SW, meeting other gardeners and the volunteering to follow.  It's all right up my alley, and the timing is perfect.  It begins next month.

    

Today, at the urging of the kiddos, I did the volunteer training at their school, so I can go on fieldtrips, volunteer in the classroom, ect.  Keegan is so excited about what he is doing at school, he told me he really wants me to see it ALL.  As if I would have a tremendous void in my experience if I did not experience the wonderful that is happening at his school.  So now I can.  I have loved homeschooling, but now that we are back at a school, I remember what drew me to teaching and schools in the first place.  That whole excited energy about discovering new things, and the idea that this is where we come together for the purpose of that discovery.  The energy that is created when many people are on that journey together.   The kids are just loving it, and I am loving them loving it!

We just booked a trip to Ireland in November, and that always means preparation!  I rented a bunch of movies on Ireland for us to watch from Netflix, and will begin deciding how we want to spend our time there.  Their school is totally agreeable to them missing time to explore the world, we will just do what we always have done, and create some kind of documentation of our experience to share when they return.  

I am hoping to make more of our Christmas gifts this year.  The kiddos and I are on a mission to find suitable projects to start soon so we will have time for completion.

I want to get back to yoga class(I was supposed to go today, but...).    

And, the house is pretty clean!

It really is all good.       

School

The kiddos are going to school.  Summer school this summer, then in the fall.  Keegan wanted to check it out, and Quinn went along on the tour.  They were both sold.  They started at a Montessouri School 25 miles away from our home this week.  They love it so far, and I am happy that they have found something so exciting and inspiring for themselves.  Of course I was surprised, and a little sad at first, but now that I am used to the idea, and see how happy they are, I feel very okay about it.  They are full of stories about friends, and play and learning adventures, and I have had a little time to think about how I want to spend my time.  The classroom in our house is now an art/sewing room(not very different from what it was before, just a new name), and the house is getting painted, organized.  I have been taking classes at the Springs Preserve on gardening, and plan to start the Master Gardener Program in the fall(it is very close to the kiddos school, so we will be in class at the same time).  

There are things I miss about homeschooling already....sleeping in, staying home, traveling, choosing how we want to spend our time, doing things on a whim, spending all day with my kiddos( or all day with the Life Learners)...lots of things, but I also like things about our new schedule.... getting up, going somewhere every day, not traveling so much, having our day(and year) planned...lots of things.  It just feels like a new chapter, not really life changing, just another chapter.  Just as I never said that school was not an option for us homeschoolers, I will still say that homeschooling is an option for us schoolers if and when they might need or want it someday.  For now, we are all enjoying the school time.