Straight Talk

Well, this morning, as my kids went out to say good bye to their friends and wave to the bus rolling down the street, i called my husband and asked, "Why are we doing this again?" I am in a moment of question. But, i find myself here every year. I haven't been surrounded yet by the pep talk people that get my heart pumping. I have been at home - monitoring nap time, nursing time, cranky moments, etc. I gamble as to whether the baby will have a good day or not. Will he cry in the car if we try to escape for a while. Last year, it was easy to say, "Let's go to the Stone Arch Bridge today. Let's go to the museum today. Let's go for a walk." I am still at liberty to say and do those same things; but it is more taxing than sometimes it is worth.

So, what will make my children happy? What choices do we all need to make and confront to see them through a successful journey?

I talked to two of them this morning and in the end, they both wanted to be homeschooled. We weighed in the pros and cons and knowing that school will 'ramp' up in a bit gave them something to look forward to. The Roman Empire is 'interesting', but it is not that fun. Soon, we will be getting into Castles, Knights, Catapult building, cooking, and our science unit will also explore our need for creativity and motion.

So, what do i need to learn from this? Give it time, give is a voice, give it patience, give it an opportunity to always be approached and discussed? YES!

This morning, it was lego building and movie time. They love the book we are reading, so i think we will find ourselves on the lawn and read while baby sleeps. They will both begin a research project on a significant person of the Roman Era. Perry did this as well and it was really fun. The project was completely geared around questions posed to friends and family and then the kids go on a hunt for the answers. Simon picked King Ethelbert and Lucy Emperor Maximiam. We always laugh at King Ethelbert - for when i say his name or partake in dialogue, i talk with a nasal lisp. Anyway - school will get better and more involved with physical activites - right now i am a puzzle piece away from making this complete and whole.