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.
We went to the Springs Preserve for their Haunted Hay ride. Lefty was our guide.
The scary stories led to scary characters in the desert.
This guy tried to shoot us with a banana.
The kiddos didn't think he was very scary.
It was a fun ride...scary enough, but not too scary.
A radio station was giving out playing cards. After dinner, we played a few games of crazy eights. We had a great night.
Another camping trip to Zion with the Life Learners. A great year for camping. The weather was good, and it was a great groups of kiddos and adults. We all had a very good time.
We all enjoyed the campfire..here are the boys warming their toes in the morning.
The water was very cold, but the kiddos didn't care.
Keegan really didn't care, he loves the water.
Well, it was a little cold...
We saw lots of wild life. These deer kept coming into our camping area. 
Quinn and Elena(Quinn's friend from homeschool and now school) were very excited to be together. We brought them their own tent for their "double" sleepover. A scary ghost story by the campfire the second night send them both back to their parents tents to sleep. Oh well. 
Zion was so beautiful, there were masses of wild grapevine all over.
They were invigorated by nature!
The girls had a great time together.
Quinn and Elena found a tarantula, and stood watch so the boys in the next campground would not destroy it. They stayed with it till someone moved it to a safe place.
A great group this year, so easy and fun. We hope to go for a few days longer next year. It was a lot to set up for 2 days.
Keegan got his green belt.
Quinn had to break 2 boards.
Quinn, doing a jump round kick in her one step.
Quinn has very high kicks.
Keegan doing his jump round kick.
Quinn fought a knight dressed in her renaissance dress. She eventually lost the use of both her legs, but persevered. She crawled around on her knees, still determined to win the battle.
Keegan loved this.
Quinn loved this...the belly dancing.
Captain Jack was here! And he shared his pirates booty with the kiddos.
Quinn loves to shop, and carefully decided how to spend her money. She ended up with a child's corset to go with her dress.
Quinn tries fencing.
Keegan is turned on to fencing, and ready to try lessons.
The royal court made an appearance.
Quinn danced and danced with the belly dancers.
And watched the show with Elena and Juliana.
They finally learn to do laundry!
This was their favorite pioneer activity, and came back to wash clothes 2 times.
They made candles,
watched a weaver and chatted with a lady spinning alpaca wool into yarn.
The army boy let Keegan hold his rifle.
Then they tried to get him to enlist! I thought they were joking, but it turns out they were serious. They would allow Keegan to dress up and carry a gun at a smaller engagement. He was very interested!
For all the times we have been to Spring Mountain Ranch, we had never seen the spring!
We all tried throwing an ax,
the kiddos panned for gold,
and then enjoyed root beer floats! It was a fabulous day, just our speed.
The chef carved them each a flower out of a beet and a turnip. 
Quinn stopped at every jewelry stand.
Keegan loved the ice carving demonstration.
A living statue.
We finished the day by leaving our art in a sidewalk square.
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.
