Ahhh - Now that those 30 weeks of grueling, hectic, very committed school weeks are finished - we can now set our sails to enjoy some calmer winds, relax & enjoy.

In the past when the boys were younger I was much more of what I have heard referred to as a relaxed homeschooler.  I liked unit studies because they gave me an opportunity to have adventures & be creative. My kids could pick a subject and we'd be off & running learning everything we could about it.

Now both the boys are taking high school courses & I struggled with whether or not  to go with the traditional class structure of learning. I am very blessed to be in an area that has a superb homeschool co-op that offers classes like biology, geometry as well as a very awesome Culinary Arts course to name a few.  Our homeschool runs on semesters. Two 15 week schedules rule our lives for part of the year. Two times a week they attend these classes & then spend the remaining days diligently working on their assignments which usually take 1 hour a day minimum each to complete.  They also take guitar lessons, Spanish lessons & are on a bowling team.  The schedule allows for a break here & there but for the most part is pretty focused.  It is not a pace I really enjoy.  However being married to a military man -  I have come to respect that it is healthy to be discplined in being diligent when called upon to complete a task.  My boys are typical in that they have their days of  " I have so much work to do & not enough time to do it & hey what about my free time"  yet they carry out what is expected of them.  They realize their ability to stretch & that is a good thing.  My boys are eager to go - they love the teachers & so during the traditional school year - it works.

I have come to realize that I am a traditional school homeschooler during the typical school year - September through May but then  - AHHH - why I loved homeschooling in the 1st place - being a relaxed homeschooler over the summer.  This is when I am in my element!!  This is when I revel in experiencing who my boys are - their bents.  Sure I see this during the year as well but it is more driven & directed.  Now I see the natural curiosity take over. For example my middle son (15) who took the Culinary Arts classes continues to show us his eager interest in cooking by making us out of this world dishes, my youngest son (14) can be heard from any place in the house - anytime of day playing his guitar.  We have a few adventures planned this summer where learning is not quite as obvious but as any homeschooler knows - lessons for life are taught here.

My youngest son was vocalizing his desire to go to a private school many of his friends will be attending next year.  My husband & I were not eager to pursue this option.  So we all just kept praying about it.  Well our answer came from him on his last day at co-op.  As he got in the car he looked over at me & proclaimed "I can't wait to go back here next year!" 

Until the winds of fall shift us back in high gear - you will find us hanging out, savoring the easy going breeze & homeschooling at a different pace.