Writing

I just looked through some of these posts. I hadn't realized that I had written so much. I'm glad I did. Now I just need to do even more and include more pictures. I liked reading some of the posts, remembering when the kids were younger, and realizing that sometimes I can actually write in an engaging way. Need to do more. Need to share more. The kids are even older and will continue to move onward and upward in their lives. I have mixed feelings about that. I will be forever grateful that I've had a chance to be a part of their childhoods. We were part of a charter school where I was in their classes each week and then we started homeschooling. I don't really want any of that to end.

Race to the Moon

The kids and I went to the play, 'Race to the Moon' this morning. It was great. I loved that we were able to be entertained and learn all at the same time. We've been talking this month about the performing arts. So, it was perfect timing for attending a play. (Thanks to the homeschool mom that coordinated so we could all go. Bless you.) I had them watch for the performers facing the audience and enunciating their words. It was fun to hear them talk about it after. They had some opinions about it because we were in a theatre that had seats around three sides of the stage. 

We had also discussed historically what the race to the moon was and how events played out. I had them watch for some of those things too. I think they learned more about that subject as it was presented in the play. I was glad. It's interesting how with homeschool - some of the 'scope and sequence' from a typical public school gets mixed up a bit. I'm not sure when or if this particular competition between Russia and the USA is covered - but, I do know that there probably aren't many 1st and 3rd graders that know much about it. I also know that 7th and 8th graders can understand it pretty well. (We'll be covering it again later as we move along the timeline we're doing for history.)

It was nice to spend the morning enjoying the kids and seeing a fun performance - with other homeschoolers and for an inexpensive price.

We saw some school busses on our way over and predicted that they were on their way to a field trip. I'm really glad that our kids have had more chances than just the end of the school year to get out and experience life outside a classroom. 

It's the Glue

While having lunch we were listening to Ben Folds (edited by Layne) and enjoying the rain. The day is overcast and yet it's fun to see the colorful flowers and blossoms that are beginning to emerge in the yard. Jonny asked about Family Home Evening and decided to rotate the assignments and inform us of our assignments. (I love it when children think of a great idea themselves and then just do it. I also love that our kids look forward to FHE and that it's a regular part of our schedule.)
It's moments like this when I'm glad we homeschool...especially since we were actually productive this morning. I'm grateful we have the opportunity to spend time together as a family.
It's times like this when I have thoughts pop into my head about everyone homeschooling. I'm not saying it has to be for everyone. I'm just saying, I think every family would love a few moments of making memories in an everyday kind of way. It wasn't a big event - but, it was time with the family. It's the everyday stuff that memories are made of...the glue that holds the memories of the big events together.

Fast Forward A Couple of Years

I've been thinking about starting another blog with a couple of different topics so everything is all together. Yet, I'm not sure I want some of the details about the kids to be part of that. So, for now, I'll do a bit of updating here.
Obviously, much has happened since I last wrote. The two biggest things would be that we are in our second year of homeschooling and that Layne has Stage IV cancer. Both details have put a different twist on our lives.
We still live in the same place and are doing some of the same things. We still get to associate with some fabulous people around here and occasionally get to see a family member or two whenever they happen to be traveling through the area.