Yesterday was a big day for chemistry here: Aengus and my daycare kid experimented with baking soda and vinegar, which is always fun. They explored variations on the "volcano," too. Then we made lollipops with a "Sweet Science" kit we had from years ago. We discovered what happens when the heat is too high (burnt lollipops -- ew!) and that no amount of flavoring can overcome certain tastes.

We're trying a new approach beginning today in our academics. Not a huge change, mind you; our philosophy remains the same. But each of us realizes the need for some focus and challenge, so I'm instituting a loose schedule for everyone. "Everyone" being Noah and Aengus, of course.

I kid, I kid. I probably need this more than anyone else.

So here's the plan (assuming plenty of multi-tasking, like playing with the daycare kid or impulsively investigating a subject that pops up or foraging for food): Each person gets a half-hour wake-up time (regardless of what time they actually wake up). This time is for whatever they need to get their motors running, whether it's coffee and the news or a hit of Nazi Zombies. Then it's time to get dressed and cleaned up for the day, followed by structured academic work.

Now, I know what you're thinking: a "real unschooler" doesn't have structured academic work. Well, I call bullshit on that one. And I'm not tied to any label; "unschooling" is the closest name I've found for what we do here, but that doesn't mean it's the only way we operate. Especially since "unschooling" has such controversial definitions and dogma linked to it. But I digress.

The focus of Aengus's academic time will mostly be on his reading skills, but as he enjoys math so much, we'll do plenty of that, too.Well, actually, we'll do plenty of whatever he wants to do, as long as it includes a focus on reading. Today, we explored Google Earth (VERY cool!) and did some phonics.

Noah is interested in biology and probability and statistics, so it's on me to get it together and teach him. Yes, SandramotherfuckingDodd, I said teach. As per his very specific request. I have some resources for both subjects, but I always like to hear about freebies and cheapies to enhance his learning. Specifically, right now I'm looking for practice problems for prob/stat. Can anyone hook a sistah up?

After a little academics (no more than thirty minutes for Aengus and an hour for Noah), we each get some free time. For me, that means I "get" to clean the kitchen or run some laundry or other such relaxing pursuits. And I definitely will be working out.

Who am I kidding? We all know I'll let the dishes and laundry and treadmill just sit there while I get on Facebook.

Aengus will have a pretty big window of free time before dinner, which will usually include playtime with my other daycare kid and some play outside. Noah's bigger chunk of free time will be later on, in the wee hours after the rest of us are in bed. He likes it that way, and I've no intention to take away from that. But as he wakes up much later, he'll pretty much have to jump right into dinner mode after his academics.

We've always had a quick cleanup time before dinner. This will continue, but with a twist: the boys will take turns each day being either the cleaner or the cook. One of them will help me make dinner while the other will do the before-dinner straightening spree and the after-dinner dishes. (Do you think that's motivation enough for them to finally help me cook?!)

After dinner, I'm planning for a little family together time, something we rarely have right now. We spend all day, every day together . . . but we're rarely really together, know what I mean? So, I'm putting my foot down and insisting on a little family time every day, even if it's just watching some TV together. Let's face it, that's probably what it will usually be. I'm hoping this time will include watching Discovery and History Channel shows or other such academic pursuits (I'm always thinking about transcripts these days), but I have no agenda. I'm hoping the boys will offer up some ideas, because I hate the feeling of dictating how they will live their lives. I'm sure they hate it, too.

I just hope they don't see it that way. That's certainly NOT my intention.

Wish me luck. Anyone placing bets on how long this will last? (She says as she surfs the web and the dishes pile up . . .)

I've just returned from a morning at the gym. My daycare kid is napping; Aengus played Halo while I was gone, but has switched to Modern Warfare 2; Noah is sleeping, of course, as he's a teenager who doesn't have any morning responsibilities. Lucky bastard.

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It seems that the "typical teenager" behavior of hiding hanging out in his room all the time has finally hit Noah. Now that he has a laptop, the only reason he comes downstairs is to get food -- which he takes upstairs to eat. He's fifteen; I won't enforce my "no food upstairs" rule as long as the dishes come down and vermin don't take over up there. But I do miss seeing him. He reminds me so much of myself when I was his age: already mentally checking out of this way of life, ready to move up and out. I can't blame him, but I sure do miss him!

I hope he's playing around with that fancy-shmancy new synthesizer of his. I hear the guitars going intermittently, as usual, but he's courteous about using his headphones with the synthesizer. He really seems to be enjoying editing as much as writing and playing. I'm hoping that he can start to focus his efforts a bit more once the novelty of the new equipment wears off a bit.

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Aengus slept in until 10:30 yesterday morning -- a new record (he used to always be up before seven; lately, he's pushed that to eight or so). He declared it as a sign he's started puberty. One at a time, please, buddy! That's the whole reason there's six years between the two boys: so we only have one emotionally draining stage to deal with at a time . . . and so that at least one kid will like me at all times. I think Aengus has a few more years to wait before Noah comes back around.

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As soon as Aengus finishes this level (Just one more! Just one more!), we're cutting his hair and working on his reading. I'd really love to show him our World Religions book, but I can't for the life of me find it. {sigh} One of these days, I'm setting up a card catalog to keep track of who I lend all my books to. I love that I can share my library with my friends, and I always get everything back, but it does complicate unschooling. With unschooling, you have to strike while the iron's hot; you have to be prepared to pursue an interest before it's lost. The internet certainly helps (how on earth did people homeschool before Google?!), but I still love having an actual, IRL book to page through.

Can I get an amen?!

We had a wonderful time visiting my family in Pennsylvania over Thanksgiving. And I don't think I heard the boys swear at all!

Shelby joined us for the venture and got to meet not just my parents but my grandparents (both sides), many aunts and uncles (including the missionaries visiting from Hawaii), innumerable cousins, and various children. Since her mom and I are such good friends, Shelby's never had that awkward meet-the-parents visit with us. Okay, it was a bit awkward when she and Noah started dating, but not nearly as uncomfortable as most people's experiences. This weekend was her big Awkward Family Meeting.



She passed, with flying colors.

The weekend was too short, however, and we never had the chance to take Shelby to any of the touristy areas . . . or even to downtown Lititz.



It's a shame, really, because Lititz is such a charming little town.



She'll have to come back sometime to walk through the park,



twist a pretzel at Sturgis,



tour the Moravian church,



or grab some chocolate at Wilbur (forget Hershey!).



We did, however, do some shopping in Lancaster. I can't believe that after all these years, Zap's is still around.



And Stan's survived the CD revolution!



We also took Shelby to Park City Center. Boring as I always thought Park City was, my time in Harrisonburg has shown me just how awesome a mall it actually is.

 
  

Another thing Shelby didn't see: a single Amish person.