The Last Day of School: A Soft Finish

 Today was our last official day of school, and it was similar to the last day of public school in that we didn't really do much school work.  There was a fair amount of reading aloud, but we do that pretty much every day.  Really, I like to have an official first and last day so we can take these pictures.

 I can't believe we're done with fifth grade!  

And she's going to be a first grader!

This has been the craziest year we've ever had, and there's not really much hope that things will be settled anytime soon.  We've dealt with death, with the house on the market, we've adopted a dog, and helped my grandma adjust to her new apartment.  There have been a lot of bumps in the road this year and there have been many times that I've worried that my kids weren't learning enough.  Over the last few weeks, though, they've both answered questions from others that surprised me.  They really have been learning!  Alice is reading now and Jack is still moving along really well.  And while we didn't get as far as I had planned in American history, they've learned a lot about real life this year.  They've learned responsibility and consistency and flexibility in situations I never could have engineered if I'd tried.  They've amazed me time and again with their ability to rise to the occasion and I'm so glad we've gone through this crazy year together.

We'll be taking a break for a few weeks and then starting some light school for a few weeks over the summer.  We've also got some fun planned that you can read about here.  And I'll be working ahead to hopefully make next year a little less crazy!

Happy Summer!

Saturday in Bartlesville

Yesterday we spent the day in the Bartlesville area.

 

We started with a train ride!

 

Our car--we went for about an hour round trip.

 

Ready to go!
 

Getting our tickets punched

It was a lot of fun!

 

After lunch we went out to Woolaroc.  Our first stop was the Mountain Man Camp.  This wasn't open the last time we went, so I'm glad we stopped by this time!

 

They have some different tents and things set up so you can learn about the trappers in the 1800s.

 

Inside the teepee

 

Anyone want a cat hat?

 

We also got to try shooting a black powder rifle.

 

We also got to try throwing a tomahawk!

 

Jack got it to stick!

 

Checking out some bones...

 

Then some living ones wandered by!

 

Playing on the rope swing

 

Checking out the animals on the wildlife preserve

 

For some reason, this chicken in the petting barn had an office chair.  A few minutes after this picture was taken, she laid an egg!

 

We also spent some time in the museum.

We had hoped to stay and go to the Kiddie Park in the evening, but we got rained out!

Dance Day!

 Last August Alice started dance classes for the first time.

 Saturday was her recital.  The day started with an 8:30 rehearsal.

 In the afternoon, we went to get her hair done.

 Well worth the $25!  I cannot do hair!

 Ready for the recital!

 

 She did a great job!

 

 Jay and Jack brought her flowers.

 With Great-Gran after the performance.  She also had all of her grandparents in the audience!

After the recital we went out to eat and Alice was so tired she almost didn't make it through dinner!

Sidekick

And don't you wonder why

the things that you want are so hard to find?

Well it just occurred to me

the one that I need could be right here by my side. 

Thanks for letting me be your sidekick for the last twenty-one years.  I love you!

Teacher Appreciation Week

 If you're on Facebook at all, you likely know that this week has been Teacher Appreciation Week, a designated time for parents and students to send gifts, etc. to show how much they appreciate their teachers.  It doesn't really work that way when you're a homeschooler, but I really can't complain, because lately it's been clear to me how much I appreciate this life we have, too.

 I appreciate that when I come in to wake Alice up and find her like this, I can let her stay in bed instead of rushing her through the morning.

 I appreciate that a break from schoolwork might include a horse.

 Of course I appreciate cupcake days!

I appreciate the strange and fun opportunities my kids get, like learning to play the theme from Harry Potter on Pawnee Bill's baby grand piano.

 I appreciate that when I let Jack play in the creek after PE, he always says it's the best day ever.

 I appreciate that my kids can learn at their own pace instead of feeling the pressure of standardized testing, and if Alice wants to give an impromptu reading of her entire Bob Book repertoire at bedtime, there's no need to rush her along so she can get up early the next morning.

I appreciate that these two are friends and get to spend their days together instead of a few hours each evening.

And of course, I appreciate my husband, who works hard to take good care of us so I can stay home and have all the fun!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!