Nutcracker Day

After months of rehearsal, the big day is finally here.  For our family, the Nutcracker is part of the rhythm of this season.  With the unseasonably warm weather (not complaining), this performance helps us all feel like it really is Advent.  

There were a few snags at yesterday's dress rehearsal, so I'm praying this morning that the day goes smoothly and, when it's all said and done, everybody feels confident about how they performed.   

Also praying for their director who is literally due to have a baby.  Today.  

Only 2 Weeks Late

Happy Halloween!!!   We also dressed up for All Saints Day, but unfortunately, no one got a picture of that.  For the record, the saints of the year were Gianna Molla, John Paul II, Don Bosco, Felicity, Michael the Archangel.  

Happy Thursday!!

You know you're the parent of dancers when...

...you overhear, "(jokingly) I'm gonna grande battement you in the face!"

...you're kids prefer Tchaikovsky to One Direction.

...you wash more tights than socks.

...you try to finish Christmas shopping before 'Nutcracker Season.'

...the biggest choking/ingestion hazard in your house is hair pins.

...even the non-dancers know what 'attitude' really means.

A Change of Scenery

I am in a hotel room by myself for 24 hours.  Then it will be just my husband and I for another 24 after that.  It's been a long time since I attended anything remotely retreat-like, and the last time I had a baby in tow.  Not a burden, not at all, but this is a very different experience.

The lists of directions and schedules have been assigned at home, and I'm remarkably unconcerned as to whether they'll be followed.

I'm supposed to go to an event right about now, but the sound of quiet plus downtown background noises is keeping me in this room for just a minute or two longer...

Tempting as it could be to worry about things at home, I realized yesterday that everybody's guardian angels can do a much better job than I, anyway.  So, dear angels, do your thing.

I'll just lie here on this fluffy comforter...

Not Worthless

So.

We got a puppy.  

Our cats went missing and left a void, my sister's friend happened to have a litter of the cutest little fluff balls you've ever seen, my husband had a moment of weakness, and the rest is history.  

His name is Bosco, and, all things considered, he's a really good little guy.  And cute.  I mean really.

A friend asked us what his redeeming value might be.  In the days when people had dogs for purposes like herding and hunting, this breed was a lap sitter.  Then, after the French Revolution, when the commoners got their hands on them, they became circus dogs.  So.  We've got companionship, entertainment, and keeping the carpet cleaners in business.  Does that count?

Then, yesterday, Bosco did something that made my heart sing and swell with pride.  Good-for-nothing furball?  I think not.

He ate a spider.  In my house.  

He has earned his keep.  

Homeschooling into High School

Working on Geography while Crash gets into trouble.  

Her most favorite books.

Her inspiration station.

Good to keep St. Lucy in your view!  And St. John Vianney!

So many times in recent years, as our oldest child has approached her high school years, we've been asked the question, "are you going to homeschool in high school?"  (Often with an incredulous tone.)  Variations on this theme have been: "how are you going to do that?" and "I can't even imagine doing that."

This post is a brief-ish answer to those inquiries.  Yes, Joy is happy to have chosen ( with guidance) to remain homeschooled as a high school student.  There was only one option in our community that we considered as an alternative, and after checking it out, we were all most at peace with staying the course of our homeschool plans.  

How does it work?  Well, just as homeschooling looks different for every household in the elementary years, there are a wide variety of options for learning at home as a teenager.  

There are no magic rules or formulas.  It is still perfectly acceptable to take a student- led approach at the secondary level.  Keeping records, having a way to communicate academic achievement to colleges/future employers/etc., becomes more important at this time, but, it can be done through a wide variety of approaches.  

Just for fun, here's a peek into Joy's work space in her room.  She has her own desk, surrounded with pictures and things from which she derives comfort and inspiration, and she gets "helpful" visits from her little brother, just to mix things up.  

The other day, as we were going through some science questions, it was clear that Crash needed a quick trip to the potty, I tossed the answer key at Joy while I scooped up the 3 year old in a rush, and told her to keep checking her answers.  

Joy sighed with a big smile and pronounced, "Aaah, homeschooling."

Happy Labor Day!

Friends and Field Trip

My buddy Shannon and I have been having babies and homeschooling simultaneously for the past 14 years.  We live about 3 hours apart.  For the first time ever (why it took us so long, I don't know...), we met in the middle for our first field trip of the 15-16 school year.  We went to Mass, had a picnic, played in a very small but very nice "children's museum", ate cheeseburgers and fries, and went mini-golfing.  What a fun day!!  We can't get enough of our dear friends ("cousins"), so we definitely could have stretched this day out even longer...  Crash fell asleep in the van at 6:30 and woke up the next day at 8:00am.  Serious fun.