I'm doing some unexpected things with my kids lately.  I'm sending them to public school!  Well, let me explain. the on-base public school welcomes homeschoolers to register with them so the kids can be involved with the extra curricular classes offered and for any before or after school programs, assemblies, library usage, etc.  So,  I signed them up and have them involved with the weekly music, art, host nation and spanish language classes.  Camryn and Sloan go on Thursdays and they love it but are addament that they don't want to go anymore than once a week.  So home education is working very well for them. So far, it's been a very positive experience for all of us.  Ethan is the one taking a totally new path.  He's going to public school full time, every day.  Travis and I struggle with trying to figure out his unique learning needs and have come to the decision that we need outside, "professional" help with him right now.  I'd rather not turn to the school, but living in a foriegn country puts limitations on options that are available for us.  They offer a one-on one,daily, reading recovery program that he got into that goes through the end of the school year.  He loves it and his attitude towards learning and sitting down for school work has been very positive.  So he's going to finish up the school year there and then I'll work with him during the summer before we decide what to do for next fall.  He's reading and writing much better already.  Something just clicks right with him in the public school setting and I'm thrilled to see the progress.   I'm also having him tested for some develpmental issues that I wonder about but the school wants him to finish the reading program before they make any additional referrals.   I really miss having him with me each day but I think this will prove to be best for him at this point.  

There is a small homeschooling community of about 10 families on base.  It's nice and we love getting together but it's very small and not as active as our other groups have been.  However, the military community is unique from other bases we've lived on (or near).  Besides the elective classes from the base school, we have a family support program that is a lot like a concierge service.  They offer support in every area of family life including language translators, various classes, counseling, and weekly field trips.  So by attending thier Spanish field trips once or twice a month and the monthly activities with homeschool friends it works out pretty well.  We end up having a nice full schedule with lots of socialization, cultural experiences, and educational supplements. 

The girls and I have a nice daily routine now too.  With only one car, we spend more time than I'd like driving everyone around but this is basically how our days go.  We take Travis to work in the early morning, then back home to get ready for the day.  Then we take Ethan to his school, then back home for math, spelling, phonics, writing etc.  After lunch we do history or science, reading and housework.  By this time Ethan is ready to be picked up so we get him, play at a park for an hour or go to the library, then pick up Travis, stop by the Commisary if necessary and back home for dinner, homework, stories, baths, bed...  All in a days work!