School's In And We're Out!

Wow, it's been a long summer and the nice weather just keeps on going.  School is officially in, but since God is gracing us with that big ball of incandescent plasma in the sky just a little longer this year, you can bet we're going to take advantage of it.  So, when most other kids were dressing up with their new outfits, grabbing their lunch boxes, and backpacks, and taking pictures by their front doors just before hopping on a bus for the first day of school, my boys were pulling on their swim shorts, and stuffing their bags with life jackets and towels for a trip to the nearby river.  Yes, we did some school at home, but I'm pretty sure the real learning occurred at the river.

Throwing rocks was an especially enjoyable pastime.  When one rock was thrown, a bigger one was picked up and tossed into the water.  How big of a rock can a little boy carry?  They were determined to find out.  How big of a splash could be made?  Again, the answer was pursued with intensity.  There is an innate desire in little boys to break, destroy, and crush.  This is true especially for The Free One.  He wonders how hard he can push, hit, or throw something before it breaks.  The outcome of this line of questioning often involves a broken toy, damaged furniture, or an injury to some other valuable belonging in our home.  But the generous river gave ample opportunity for this kind of inquiry without the usual negative consequences.  What freedom for me and for him to allow this impulse without restraint.

 Swinging on the rope involved a lot of courage.  The Anchor was the first brave one to let go and splash into the water.  After that, The Free One swung with reckless abandon.

The teacher's lounge included a cool foot bath and a good book.  I could get used to this!

The boys fed the waterfowl some stale bread at a nearby pond.

 I cannot begin to quantify the learning that took place on the river on the first day of school.  No numerical or alphabetical value can be placed on the vast education my boys received while splashing in the current, running among the rocks, and swinging over the water.  

How can you assess the knowledge obtained by watching a mayfly pull itself out of its nymphal shell, flutter its wings, and within seconds fly away.  I have never in my life witnessed that!  The river afforded my boys and me that experience, for which I am inexpressibly grateful.  

This was real learning.  Nothing canned, no agenda, only pure wonder and discovery.

Failing At Socialization

Let's face it!  Socialization is a problem for homeschoolers, and I've got the pictures to prove it!  Here are five pictures from this Summer that prove that we are on our way to becoming completely socially awkward homeschoolers.

#1:  The Crack.

 In the days of diaper duty I did anything I could to get some comic relief.   I used to pull up my son's pants really high and then laugh to myself as he toddled away with his waistband clear up to his chest.  He was almost two when he finally caught on and would protest, "Not bigger!"  Since then, he has worn his pants really low and as a result his crack shows often.  I find this very unfortunate, because this condition seems to run in my husband's family and I was really hoping to break the cycle with my boys.  Now it seems as if I have only reinforced it.

#2.  Crotch Grab A.

I've been trying to teach the boys that scratching, tugging, adjusting, or any kind of movement that requires the hand to be directed in the area of the crotch is always socially unacceptable.  They have yet to master that part of being socialized.  

#3.  Crotch Grab B.

Much more practice is needed with this whole being "socially acceptable" thing.  

#4.  Wedgie Removal

You'll be happy to know that after this day we retired these shorts.  The Free One now has 3 new swim shorts that fit him and don't ride up.  

#5:  Too Much Fun At The Fountain

How do you tell a kid not to straddle the water sprayer?  What reason do you give?  I've watched every single child (boys and girls alike) do this at every fountain we've been to.  I've chosen to ignore it for now, but it makes for a pretty awkward picture.

Alright, you guys.  I can't be the only one with socially challenged children.  Or can I?  Leave a comment and tell me your funny "socially unacceptable" kid stories.  'Cause if you can't have perfectly socialized kids, you should at least be able to laugh about it  : )

Our Summer Vacation Plans!

This is the face of summer vacation!  In this picture, The Free One had just finished his last spelling/phonics test of the year.  After this test he knew that we were officially on Summer Vacation.  For two more weeks the school busses continued to load the big brick school building across the street with hundreds of children morning after morning while we slept in, visited the zoo, played at the river, visited playgrounds etc.  Until finally, one day, the boys spotted their cousins running across the street from the school shouting, "We're done with school!  It's the last day!"  Screams of celebration erupted as all the cousins ran into our back yard with the chocolate chip cookies that Aunt Annie had prepared for them in their hands.  And with the sun miraculously shining here in the Great Northwest, it finally feels like Summer really has begun.

I have yet to tell my children that after the Fourth of July we will be starting a Summer School program.  Of course I will not call it "Summer School," but rather some euphemistic (is that a word) name such as "Summer Activity Schedule", or "Summer Break Projects."  Nothing too intimidating.  Just one hour or less lesson per day in addition to reading.

Art:  completing our Art projects we didn't finish
Science:  completing the Science experiments we didn't finish
Abacus:  I decided that Abacus Summer Camp would be too expensive and too far to drive to so I ordered three Soroban abacuses abaci, one Soroban abacus for each of us and a beginner abacus book.  We will be learning the ancient power of mental math.
Spanish:  Watching a Little Pim DVD and keeping a journal of the phrases we learn.  "Parte el queso," has become a common phrase in our household.  And the other day we were fishing on the lake when The Free One said he wanted to try to fish "una vez mas".  We're far from fluent, but at least they are picking up a few words and phrases.
Piano:  The Free One will continue his lessons and I think I will start The Anchor on piano too.  Oh, and The Free One has been wanting to learn to play the drums for a long time and I'm tired of him beating rhythms on everything in the house, so we were excited and thankful when we unexpectedly received a free drum set.  It's missing a couple of pieces, but it's a good start.  He may be starting lessons soon, but for now it's a secret so shhhhh! don't tell : )

So that's what our Summer School Schedule is going to look like in addition to the library Summer reading program and VBS, and Sports camp, and the beach etc.  I love Summer!!!

Another goal we have is to check out the cultural passes from our library and visit each place that is available for free.

So much to do, so little time.  We may need to start school a little late in the fall so we can get all of this done.  Until then, I'll try to post some of our Summer School adventures here.

What are your summer plans?  How do you keep the kids busy and learning throughout the summer?  Leave a comment...