Friday, April 14, 2023

End of a Homeschool Era

When covid first started, the world was in disarray.  Life was scary.  It was overwhelming and unpredictable and scary.  We were scared of the government; we were scared of the virus; we were scared of each other. We were nervous about the future. We were depressed about the current state of affairs. It was a really hard time. I wanted to try to take back a little bit of control of my life, so I decided to homeschool.  It was a terrifying leap to make, but one of the best decisions I could have made. Through the ugliness of covid came the beauty of homeschool. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, we picked ourselves up and created something so beautiful. Homeschooling was exhausting.  It was hard.  But oh was it magical.  While the outside world was filled with chaos and doom, inside our home was filled with love and hope.  We explored, we meditated, we learned, and we had fun.  This year was honestly one of my favorite years.  At the time I doubted myself and worried I wasn't doing enough.  However, once all the boys went back to school, they scored so high on their tests.  In fact, Blake, who I homeschooled for two years, ended up being almost an entire grade level ahead. Kids truly soar in academic environments where their needs can be personally catered to.  Yet, while academics are important, the beauty of homeschool was being able to develop a love of learning in a safe environment. We got to skip lessons if we wanted.  We got to play when needed.  Blake was able to jump on the trampoline while leaning his math facts, and ride around on his hover board while doing spelling tests.  We experimented, we laughed, we cried a little, but what an amazing experience it was. I loved being able to go on fun adventures all the time.  We went to the pool, zoo, farms, homeschool camp, and museums. We went hiking, had picnics, explored frozen waterfalls, raised chickens, grew butterflies, had an ant farm, grew bacteria on cultures, created art, and did A LOT of science. We embraced every holiday, and incorporated the seasons into our desk decor and lesson plans. We baked seasonal creations (like Norwegian Christmas cookies) and listened to fun music. The boys enjoyed earning money for our school store, and were able to save up and "buy" some really fun prizes at the end. Wesley entered a science competition at the end of the year through the charter school. Out of everyone in the school, he answered the most right answers and won an iPad! I also love that their bond grew during this time.  We really were not able to see or play with a lot of friends at this time, but they always had each other! I cannot emphasize enough how much I loved homeschooling.  At the end of the year I gave each boy a choice for the next school year - Wesley decided to go to a STEM charter, Chase wanted to go back to our local elementary school, and Blake wanted to keep homeschooling. I love that there are so many school options in this area to fit the needs of each child. More on that later! 



At the end of the year Blake spent the rest of his school money on a giant cat and some building blocks. Wesley bought a Rubik's cube set.  Look how real our school money looked! 




Ant Farm! 



Last day of homeschool!  So many sweet emotions!  I love these boys!




Highlights of our homeschool year! ------>













Nature time in May


In May 2021 we decided to head up the canyon in our camper and enjoy some nature.  We are so blessed to have gorgeous canyons within 30 minutes of our house. The mountains were warming, but the leaves had not quite started emerging from the trees. Snow still covered the upper elevations, and the water was still cold. However, I was in dire need of an adventure, so off we went!  The campground had just opened up and filled quickly. Thankfully we found a spot in the group camping area and were able to enjoy some much needed fresh air and nature time.  Camping fills me with so much happiness, but in all honesty - it's a lot of work.  When we first bought our camper we used it rather regularly, but since covid, our usage has dwindled.  I think this was the last time we used the camper as a family - nearly two years ago!  (I am writing this in 2023).  We might have to change that this year!  We brought our water toys and played up at silver lake for a while.  We also enjoyed laying in our hammock, building a campfire, and playing games inside the camper.  I hope these will be some of my boy's favorite memories.  





























For mothers day I asked my family to enjoy some nature with me.  We headed south to wearing rock.  Again, the water was frigid, but my water loving Wesley couldn't resist the call of the river.  He went right in, even floating under the dripping rock. I love his adventurous soul.  He prefers staying at home, but once we drag him outside, he always seems to have a wonderful time. After our nature hike, we found a beautiful park that we played at for a little while.  I tend to get a little homesick around holidays, but spending time in nature always feels like home.  







Now my hair is grown out, but I love looking back on my short hair!  It was so much fun! 
 

Monday, February 27, 2023

Chase turns 10, we release butterflies, and I chop my hair off

My Sweet Chase.  Chase is a soul full of maturity, strength, softness, and gentleness. He brings calm to a house full of chaos and noise.  He is a peacemaker.  He is the friend everyone wants.  He has a strong desire to make good choices and follow the rules.  He has deep compassion for others, and decided to become vegetarian a few years back because of his tender heart towards animals.  He is hard working, reliable, polite, and honest.  This sweet boy is the most easy going, laid back, even tempered child I have ever met.  From the time he was born, he has always been so mellow, and such a joy to have as my son. Every teacher he ever had has absolutely loved him.  I never have to worry about what his teachers will tell my in teacher conference, or how he will act at a friend's house.  Not once has he been unkind - threatening, mean, or rude to any friend. From the time he was little, I always felt like he had an advanced, old soul in his little body. He loves building legos, and has officially run out of room for them in his bedroom.  He can spend hours in deep contemplation as he builds the tiny blocks.  He doesn't need much to keep him occupied - a ball to play outside with, blocks to build with, or mom and a book to read with at night.  Each night he comes in my room, snuggles under the covers, and I read to him.  It has become one of my favorite parts of the day. Wesley was such a passionate, independent bookworm that he always wanted to read on his own as soon as he could.  Blake, also an advanced reader, is so hyper and busy, he often has a hard time sitting still long enough to read chapter books togehter so I often read him picture books as he colors and builds legos.  However, Chase loves spending time each night with me as we go on epic adventures in our mind.  My favorite series was Harry Potter.  We are now reading Percy Jackson, and are 1/4 through the last book of the series.  I will deeply miss these sacred moments I spend reading with Chase when he finally decides he no longer wishes to read together.  Chase has a way of grabbing hold of my heart strings, and I'm so eternally grateful the universe brought Chase into my life.  He balances me out, brings calm to my life, and gives me strength.  He takes care of his critters (and does an amazing job), helps mow the lawn, and keeps his room somewhat clean without ever being asked. He loves scootering at the skate park, and is excited to hopefully join the mountain biking team for his school next year.  I hope he knows it's ok to be a messy, crazy, loud kid occasionally, but I sure hope he knows he makes the world a better place because he is in.  Thank you Chase, my sweet son, for bettering my life and bringing so much joy to the world.... more than you might even comprehend.   



For his birthday, he only wanted Legos (the only thing he has asked from since he was about four years old!) He asked for donuts in leau of cake, Waffle love for breakfast, and we went to the indoor skate part for his birthday celebration.  We also took his best friend, DJ, and his brothers to the indoor pool. 























Blake with his beloved pusheen watching Chase play soccer 

Picnic at the skate park for homeschool 



After watching our caterpillars turn into butterflies for our Anthropoid unit, we were able to release them back into nature.  What a fun science unit! 







Nature hike with Dad 




I get board with my physical appearance. I often cut my hair and grow it out again pretty regularly.  However I've never cut it much shorter than my ears.  I've always wanted a pixie cut, and finally in 2021 I took the leap and just did it!  It was such a fun, scary change!  I didn't like the upkeep though (I had to get it cut every six weeks ($60) to keep the pixie looking clean). Eventually, after about a year, I started the long, tedious process of growing it out again, but I'm so happy I stopped worrying about what other people would think, and just did it!