Week in Review--Week 8, in which we are in the vicinity of the track

Actually snapped a shot of a butterfly before it fluttered away!

I have really learned a lot about myself and homeschooling over the past 4 or 5 years.  More than anything, I'm learning to relax.  It is one of the first things I tell a new homeschooling mom.  RELAX.  And yes, sometimes I still need someone to say it to me.  But overall, I can see myself letting go of my over-controlling ways.  You know, those ways where if it isn't done according to The Plan, then it must be wrong.

I planned out my entire school year this year for the first time.  I'm not really following it.  I am so glad that I did the plan though!  I know what is in the books and I have a general idea of the flow for the year.  I would like to be back on track, but I'm not.  Not this week.  But I am getting closer.

In prior years, I may have just thrown up my hands and said, "That's it!" and given up.  For a time, anyway.  I would've calmed down and gathered myself and started again.  This year, when I am off track, I still make sure we do something--field trip, reading, just...something.  We don't get to just blow it off entirely.  And so even though it might be a baby step, it is in the right direction.  I'm learning to let go of what I think school looks like (clean, attentive kids at the table (or desks) listening to mom discuss fractions while they all smile).  I am moving into being comfortable with how school really works and looks.  It looks like life.  And it's good.

We covered some math, science and social studies.  We went on a cool field trip to a military history museum.  We went on a hike and looked at our gorgeous world.  We practiced some Spanish vocabulary.  We read and read and read.  We did laundry.  We cooked.  And we enjoyed being together.  So I am going to call it a good week.

Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall.

Funny and Silly with an example of a modern desert uniform.

Scrappy with Civil War-era cannon.

Goofy's been treed.

Looking up.