On the other hand, I'm preparing almost3yearold for preschool, making lists of what to pack for his lunch, getting immunization records, filling out forms, getting Bean ready for ballet (how did every part of her body grow a size in 3 months?) and vowing that this is the year I will not be undone by doing a ballet bun in uber-curly hair twice a week because I really, really, really will always be prepared with hairpins, hairnets, a hairspray.
On the one hand, I'm keeping my head down and eyes focused on our current lesson plan and the daily rhythm that works for us.
On the other hand, I know we'll be meeting with our consulting teacher soon so I better turn my list of what we do into something she can file for the state-mandated records. I keep double-checking the schedule, making sure there is no overlap between Bean's dance class and Boo's swimming lessons and Bean's homeschool class and Boo's preschool pick up.
On the one hand, I love the information and support from various homeschool lists and groups that fill my inbox throughout the day.
On the other hand, I've learned to quickly sift through the onslaught of information and delete mercilessly before panic ensues. At last count, I receive e-mail from 8 different homeschool groups. I have stopped looking at email from two curriculum-specific groups altogether, only glance at the comings and goings of the local unschoolers group out of the corner of my eye, and deeply regret signing on to a group last week that had "Homeschool Field Trip" in the name but seems to be a clearing house for classes available on the other side of the mountain from where we live. The other four groups offer a mix of resources and support and as much as I'd like to read about everyone's travails and find out about the latest robotics/chemistry/creative writing class, I know at least fifty percent of the messages are not meant for me. And don't even get me started on the homeschoolers circle on Google + or the Secular Homeschool board online.
On the one hand, I'm exalting in the promise of two hours to myself on Wednesday morning and two mornings to focus on Bean and her school work.
On the other hand, I'm resisting the urge to schedule an appointment every week from here to Christmas. Dr. Yap reminded me yesterday, as I rattled off a litany of appointments I want to make a friends I want to visit sans kiddos, that I could also stay home and just do nothing. Or, she casually remarked, I could try to make some headway on Little Big Planet on the Playstation. (Seriously, half the time I love that she thinks video games are the only truly acceptable form of recreation, and the other half of the time, I wish she'd just let me knit or read a book in peace.)
Is this time of year really all that different for homeschoolers after all? I feel like I'm feeling the same mix of anticipation, relief, and anxiety that I felt in every other August before we started homeschooling.
My daughter also has very curly hair. Once the older girls at ballet summer workshop got it into a perfect ballerina bun. They used most of a card of hairpins and so much Fast-Freeze type hair spray that her hair looked plastic. :-D
ReplyDeleteIt's the only time in my daughter's life so far when she's had a perfect ballerina bun.