Homeschool Stuff

This year with both kids being solidly elementary school aged (Scotty 1st, Annie 3rd), we have had to step up our homeschool game. We joined a co-op, and the kids are doing a one day a week enrichment school. It's been fun to have more interactions with more homeschoolers. We definitely feel busier, but it's in a good way. Annie is also doing another play before Christmas, and she has piano lessons.

Our co-op is small with some friends from our book club. The kids in this group really get along and have a good vibe. They decided to name themselves the Kid Tribe. We are studying geography and music this semester. Me and another mom are teaching first then we'll switch to the other two moms at the end of this month. In spite of our amazing educational activities, the kids' favorite part of co-op is definitely playing together in the backyard. And they learn so much by doing that! Hopefully they're picking up some stuff about life and the world along the way.

The other one day a week school is a drop-off thing that I pay for. I'm usually all about the cheap, right? But I felt like Scotty really needed to be pushed out of his comfort zone a little. I wanted him to have something where he could go, on his own, to gain some independence. The first day was really hard and scary for them, but I only stayed with him for about an hour and then he was fine. Every week when I drop him off, he says he doesn't want to go. But he always ends up going and has a great time. I think it has increased his confidence to be off doing his own thing. And Annie of course loves it as well and isn't scared at all. She made a cool pinata which we busted open at co-op on our Mexico day.

And I just need to record somewhere that every time Aaron or I leave, the kids hug and kiss us goodbye multiple times and then run out the front door to meet our car as it rounds the corner. They stand there and wave frantically and blow kisses to us. I'm not sure why they feel compelled to do this, but it's sweet. It will be a sad day when they stop. 

Also, we had a great time swimming at our pool this summer. We sneaked in one last swim near the end of September. It was warm but raining on a school day, and we were the only ones there. The kids have spent many a happy hour. We're very grateful for a community pool!