Waving at School Busses

I move through out our house, tidying, switching out loads of laundry from the wetter (as Jack calls it) to the dryer, loading and unloading the dishwasher, making lists in my head.  All the while I listen to the kids giggling at each other, playing sweetly mixed with moments of bickering and resolution. I am really nervous on the inside that our decision to home school is going to cost them somehow. I still don't fully understand all of the benefits - I have just started to meet these awesome parents and kids that have been on this road for a bit. And they all tell me that by Christmas, we won't look back. 

But, I see school buses rolling past our house to drop off at the school at the end of our street and the little voice in my head says, "Are you sure?"  I think I am.  I worry, though. Will I be enough to push them ahead?

And, then there are the friends I have and family...Some are supportive and some have already withdrawn seeing this as a major difference in our thinking.  I hope I can make it clear that I don't think bad of anyone for which ever way they choose to raise their kids, and have them educated.  Just educate them, that's all.  And, I don't doubt their love, either. But there are reasons that I would worry also, if we had chosen to stay in the school system.  You know, the first day of classes, a kid brought a gun to school in a little Missouri town. And, Friday, the school at the end of our street and the elementary school a block over went on lock down due to a kidnapper lurking. We were at Legoland, or I suppose we would have been on lock down, too. What to do....

Every so often I have this specific memory of sweet Greta as a four year old wanting to grow up too fast.  She wanted to go into Justice (a kid/tween sparkly clothing store) and she wanted to pick out an outfit and try it on all by herself in the dressing room (which is behind a sparkly curtain).  Dad and I stood by and let her.  Her big blue eyes carefully picked through the racks of clothes until she picked out an orange bejeweled tank top and rainbow shorts that would fit in a few years.  She waited in line to try it on and once it was her turn she went on in. We could see her feet underneath the curtain. Well, it took her a while. She must've stared in the mirror for ten minutes. She was so so proud of herself, I mean, so so proud. She was a big girl. And, then it was time to change back. She pulled the curtain closed and her feet disappeared as she stepped onto a big sparkly pouf to reach a hanger. And then the pouf went out from under her and she fell on her little tiny bottom with her feet straight out, scared to death and a little hurt. Her pride hurt. My heart hurt. She didn't want to cry and I could hear her whimpering in there on her little bottom. 

Maybe this is what I am thinking of when I choose to home school. I know the world can hurt, and I know she and Jack are capable of dealing with it. I just want to hold her a little longer... because I can.  

Lego my Day!

Happy first day of Home School! We woke when we wanted. (6:30 is our number....this is unfortunate when you have no where to be.)  We ate breakfast and dressed for the day.  We ran over to a friends to say hello, and then to a park to play.  We smelled roses in the rose garden and then went for lunch at Planet Sub.  And, then we met Daddy at LEGO LAND!  

It's a stretch!

What big eyes you have, Greta!

We're not in Kansas anymore.

In the county of the land of Oz.

Be gone before somebody drops a house on you, too!

Watch out for flying monkeys 

Now we're back in Kansas

Beautiful plaza lights, we are always glad to see you.

So, it was really fun. The kiddos had a ball. They felt special and I want that for them.  I see many days of finding many cool things in our future.  I am so happy to be a part of something so awesome - my kid's and what they discover in this world.

She's Officially A Firstie!

Oh, and here we are! First grade is upon us, faster than I ever imagined.  And, Greta is my little home schooler. But, she is attending Bethany Lutheran's Home School Academy twice a week.  We had her first day there. And it was a beautiful day.

 Jack is the ever supportive brother. You can't see it, but he is sporting an incredible display of bed head 'round back.

 And, here she is. Greta, the firstie.  Greta, our brave girl...Our comedian, Our dreamer. She is gaining confidence and stride.

And, one last picture from inside the school.  The vibe is great. The teachers are kind, and the children are so sweet.  We are lucky it's just down the street.....I rhyme. I will rock teaching her this year!


And, after this picture, Jack melted into a pile of sister missing goo.  We made a run to Krispy Kreme for 2 fist fulls of glazed and a strawberry milk.  We went home and sulked and picked up sister at noon.  And, then sister melted into a pile of tears.  She is scared she will miss out on the fun at Bethany when we are learning at home.  Wait and see if this is true.... I have a trip to Lego Land scheduled for tomorrow!

Kansas City Kids in the Country

Another day at Deanna Rose Farm is always what this country girl needs (I mean me).  I love it all. Even the poo.  We are getting to know those sweet ponies.

 We always go into the quiet school room and enjoy the blast of air conditioning. I always feel inspired for school to start when we are here in August.  I used to pretend I was Laura Ingalls Wilder and play school with my slate.  I didn't have a Nellie, though.  Can you hear the studying music they always played when Mary was up burning the midnight oil...and the barn?

Jack is ready. PreK look out! He calls it pee k.  This Monday we start the year and I am excited as I see the yellow school buses lining up at the school at the end of our street.  Greta's Academy teacher, Mrs. M, came over for a visit.  She is marvelous. I think we are going to have an incredible year. I am so excited to home school...we get to go to the farm any day we like this fall.  We are going to take it all in!

A Fond Farewell

The sweetest thing in the whole world happens every morning on our street. In jammies, with bed head, Jack waves his daddy off to work.  If he hadn't seen me recording, he would have stood and watched until Daddy turned out of his sight.

He waves at me this very same way any time I leave without him.  I can not express how incredibly sweet it is and how incredibly lucky I feel to receive all of his lovin.