Home School Is Winding Down

The balmy March breezes; Spring Break; Easter; homeschool book sales; standardized testing; evaluations; they all mean one thing: the school year will be over soon! Automatically I start thinking ahead to next year. Hmmm, what grade will he be in? What, that can't be right! But it's true. My baby will be in 7th grade. I wonder what I'm going to do with him? My mind starts to plan. We'll continue the Jacob's Algebra. We had a rocky start, but now he's doing really well with it (we both are). He definitely needs to continue handwriting because it's not good. He'll start Learning Language Arts Through Literature (LLATL). It didn't work for us in his younger years, but I loved it when his brothers were in 7th grade and up. Daddy is going to teach science. He'll read a variety of books; whatever interests him. That just leaves Bible (easy), history and fun electives (continue piano, band, art). Well, that was easy! 7th grade is just about planned already.

March Happenings

Now that it is March, the weather has become mild. I love being able to spend more time outdoors and feel the sun on my skin!

Conrad and the other parents took the Pathfinders to north Georgia to backpack on the Appalachian Trail. It was below freezing, and the bus driver, Steve Wolcott, one of the kids, and Conrad got very sick. Jacob was devastated that he couldn't go. He was all packed, but developed a fever of over 104 and had terrible asthma. I was so glad he got sick at home rather than on the trail! The good news is that they all survived.

We went to Sea World shortly after a trainer there was killed by one of the killer whales. That was so shocking and tragic. When the older boys were younger, we used to go to Sea World all the time, up until Jacob turned 3 and needed a pass. I took Jacob for free one last time before his birthday. The older boys were not interested in Sea World anymore, and I was too busy running them around to social engagements and classes, and was teaching piano students every afternoon. I didn't bother getting tickets, because I didn't have time to go. It is almost 9 years later, but I was glad to fulfill my promise to Jacob and take him back. Conrad, Jacob and I had so much fun. It wasn't crowded and the weather was perfect.

Last week, Steve Wolcott (with the blessing of the chaperone/teacher, Richard Knapp, and the camp) invited Jacob along with our church school to Camp Kulaqua for their Outdoor Education, so he was gone from Tues. to Fri. We scrambled to get the paperwork, get it notorized and get him packed. Jacob said he wanted everything to be last-minute from now on, because that way he doesn't get sick. It was hard not to hear from him and I missed him. Conrad and I planned on having a fun date-day on Wed., but it poured down rain all day and we didn't go anywhere. I was so happy to pick up Jacob Friday afternoon. He had such a rich experience! He loved Pastor Barry and learned all about beekeeping from Chappie McChesney. Now he is intensely interested in bees and wants to become a beekeeper. I'll have to find someone local who would be willing to mentor him.

That evening after picking up Jacob, I went to church to practice with the choir. They sang a beautiful song at the memorial of our friend Lillian Santana, who had passed away in her sleep the previous Sabbath morning after a long battle with cancer. The church was packed. It was very hard to get through the service. We had been such good friends, and her young son Tyler had been my piano student for several years. We didn't get the "desserts only" message, and Conrad made a huge amount of his famous hot macaroni for the reception. I don't think anyone minded.

Conrad spent a lot of time researching garage doors and getting quotes, and we finally had our garage door replaced. The house looks much more cared for!

Jacob's little parakeet died Sunday. When Jacob took it out to play Sabbath afternoon, he noticed it was subdued. He noticed its beak was really long, so he got his dad up from his nap and Conrad trimmed it. It did start eating and drinking, but I'm guessing it was too late. When Conrad and I got home from our church meeting yesterday, it was on the bottom of the cage. The other parakeet seems lonely but Jacob doesn't want another bird right now. I don't blame him. It's so sad when pets die.

We went to the beach on Sabbath afternoon, for the first time in months. It was just a perfect, beautiful day. There was a wedding on the beach. I wore a jacket and the water was chilly, but Jacob couldn't stand being so close to the water without going in, so after our walk, he changed and swam in the waves for awhile.

Last weekend my sister, her husband and daughter came over from the Florida west coast and came with my parents to our church. I appreciated that I didn't have to play the piano and could sit in the pew with my family. My mom made a huge meal, but Conrad and Jacob had to eat it cold and run off to Pathfinders. I lingered quite awhile before heading to choir practice. I've been trying to play the Easter cantata through every day. Some areas are challenging.

I love this spring weather! Every morning, a bird sings outside my window and sounds so joyful and happy. It's a nice way to wake up.