Self Study Earns More Merits Than Forced Curriculum

To discover Ryder creating his own investigation and exploration like this is soul food for this teacher's heart.

Getting Our Groove Back In Our Little Homeschooling World

It's taken me two months to get our rhythm sorted out but it's finally there. We've hit that sweet spot where things just smoothly work nicely.

Balancing my business and clients I've almost eliminated the "split shift" and that has helped keep us on track. This year we are in a house versus an apartment and we have a dozen boys in the neighborhood. No shortage of outdoor play time with lots of kids their age.

We're hearing beautiful music from Ryder on his violin. Has a fabulous teacher Denise Carter who is Suzuki and does Fiddling. So much fun to hear and see the swift progress from Ryder.

Dax has decided it's guitar for him instead of piano. So it's handy his dad plays and can teach him for now.

I had originally thought Dax could do 2nd grade work but he thrives when we do the ENKI grade one stories and work. I felt at first I wanted to keep the boys closer in their studies but that was clearly ludicrous and not in their best interest (I sound like I'm being hard on myself and in a way I am - it has taken me a while to come in to my own with "home schooling" as I had felt an impending danger that I wouldn't be "allowed" or there would be some "authority" including their dad who would makes remarks about one thing or another - I have always taken everything personally and made it about something wrong with me - THANK GOD FOR NVC AND SUMMER CAMP for the breakthrough! This past few weeks as I was doing inner work as a woman and business owner and healing some more of my own childhood trauma I realized I was harboring energy of self doubt with the boys and home schooling - the great news for me is that is completely eliminated - perhaps that is why the "girl got her groove back")

So now, I have no "judgmental devil" on my shoulder all the time. What a relief that is. And it's like a breath of fresh air to dig out Enki curriculum and go back to the healing, nurturing, delicious substantial stories and work of this grade.

I so wish there was a 4th grade Enki - I know Ryder needs more of that sense that we received from that and I need the support. For now we piece mill his curriculum together well enough though. And of course now that he reads on his own he devours dozens of books a week (sadly not what I would choose and I'm still not certain how the content of some of the "lame" books - Pokemon - ugghh! and other ridiculous stories effect him. I have outlawed a few that are just plain stupid.

OK, so that's my little journal entry and now to address the current issue with the neighborhood kids and the inappropriate words and actions at 7 - oh it's just a different time isn't?

Non Violent Communication - A mandatory gift to myself and my family this year

I recently returned from NVC Family Camp with some of the bravest and most wonderful people. It was by a sheer miracle and the Grace of generous souls I was able to attend with my sons.

I had envisioned daily journal writings, hundreds of photos and lots of video documentaries. Alas, these are the lot of the photos and I wrote not a page while I was there.

Instead choosing to just fully be alive to the moment. I have come to find out my books and journaling and note taking was a strategy - not sure what the need was. More contemplation and much empathy is needed to go there.

Processing of the events of the week and all that transpired will take much more and longer than I anticipated. I wish the skills were deeper engrained as I find myself already falling back on old patterns and poor strategies for life.

My body has been in deep and utter exhaustion and my mind sluggish - I don't attribute it to more than the "die off" of old paradigms and that I cannot detox fast enough.

The minimal activity gets done these days and I pray it shifts soon. It is very hard to be mommy, business owner, wife and care-giver let alone homeschooling teacher.

Although I have been setting aside time each night to plan and prepare lessons for the year and I find it brings me a bit of joy.

Final Days of Spring

Spring time has always been my favorite time of the year.

I hope next spring will be better than this past. I have much personal work to do to recover from shock, trauma and change. The resiliency of my children is my inspiration. I must find and heal my inner child, again.

As I have come to recognize the real dilemma might be, I have been better at caring for others than for myself. In other words, it's time to mind my own business.

Our day at the beach to commemorate end of "school" year and the season was more of a ritual for me though. I could have gone with an overnight sleep on the beach, under the moon light, on my own, but for now, the quick trips will suffice.

Starfish, anemone, puffins and more! Farmers Almanac is becoming more relevant to us. Fascinating "text" book!

This indeed was a great day of  learning, discovery, friends and fun!

Getting Back on the horse

My original homeschooling mentor - Beth Sutton who created Enki use to say,  "when you fall away from the connection with yourself, you have to get back on the horse."

I have fallen off the horse in the past few weeks and I haven't felt like getting back on until today. Perhaps it's more that I'd been so caught up in all the milieu on the ground that I didn't even turn my attention back to what was truly important.

Thankfully I have my Simplicity Parenting coaches group and I get called back to what feeds my heart and mind and that supports me in feeding my sons' hearts and minds in the best way I know.

The simple gifts.

After the weeks of preparation and then the trip to Orlando - where it was a far cry from simple, I feel almost as if I am detoxing from the frenzy.

It quickly becomes an addiction if one is not careful. I even found myself putting legos in a basket to buy and I do not value legos in any way shape or form - yet I spent my hard earned money on these pieces of plastic I quite frankly barely tolerate. I did feel the swoosh of energy that comes with the purchase power of misplaced feelings, hopes and joys through the marketing messages all around.

Not what I hoped to raise my children in or foster as a parent. Yet, I found myself doing just that. And now I tell myself I can fix it. I do hope I can. Nine year old Ryder is more sensitive and understanding. He gets the energy shifts and feels the "gimmies" more so than Dax at 6.

Unfortunately I was reasonable with myself and my parenting. I hope that I can get my footing back soon and get back on the horse. I miss the deep connection of my own soul to their's as we share creating and beauty and nurturing.

I forget that Dax is still young and so many things have been a challenge for us in our family since before he was born. I can't help but wonder how much this has negatively impacted my hopes and dreams for a wonderful childhood for both my sons.

I recall this profound lesson from a beautiful teacher in Austin. I think her name was Laura, from a beautiful Blossom Waldorf Family Center. I had committed to memory on nights when I nursed and rocked my beautiful second son to sleep.

The question: What does my young child need most to thrive both now and in the future?

Beauty and Grace: in all that he hears, sees, feels and touches
Gentle Surroundings: from his clothing o his bedroom to his interaction with the world
Imagination: less form in toys and talking with ample time and space to imagine
Media Free Lifestyle: with as little exposure as possible
Movement: space and time to move, struggle and develop at his own pace
Music and Rhyme: Woven into every day of life singing, humming from a human voice
Nature: time outdoors each and every day no matter the weather
Nurturing Touch: holding, hugging, rocking, bathing, massaging
Play: uninhibited, uninterrupted, unstructured exploration and time to do, to dream to be in open curiosity
Quiet Imitation: exposure to adults and activities that are filled with joyful intention and purpose.
Repetition: in all aspects of daily routine building security and confidence  
Respect: for who he is already
Rhythm: A flow of in breath and out breath each and every day - with seasons and festivals
Sleep: Plenty of rest to renew and restore, body, mind, heart and spirit
Warmth: protective layers to guard the new still forming forces and body of baby
Whole Food: We are what we eat

Our first day in Florida at the "ranch"

We drove from Orlando to Monticello to meet up with my younger brother and mom. A bitter sweet time as this is where my father was killed when my parents home burned to the ground. My mom and brother keep up with the tree farm up as much as they can.

This was such a good experience for the boys. Riding on the mower seemed to be great fun for the guys. As was "camping" with kerosene lamps and heat from the fire stove.

Ryder received a Red Ryder BB gun from Uncle and Mom. He loves it of course. Not my favorite thing but I have boys and some how it's in their DNA whether it's a stick or a sandwich - a gun somehow can come about. Ryder spent the time to learn the safety rules and read all about his new BB gun. With supervision Dax even shot off a few.

Clearwater Beach Florida

We spent the day in St. Petersburg Florida then ended the day/night with Clearwater Beach and the performers. I can't believe how much Clearwater was grown.

We met some amazing and talented folks! Each performer and artisan was open, friendly, confident, creative, present and in full on Play mode!

 I love seeing artists do what they love, and take their Center Stage to share their gifts with the world! It was inspiring to watch and it was a joy to watch my boys experiencing all of this wonder, creativity and expression of joy!