Homegrown Sunshine Is Moving

It is official. This is my last post for this blog (sniff sniff). I have created a new blog at homegrownsunshine.wordpress.com. I hope you all will follow me there. :)

Kindness

“A kind word is like a spring day.”
—Russian Proverb

What Kind of Insect Would You Be?

During lunch today, I asked the kids if they could choose any insect they would like to be for a day, what would they be?

(word for word)

Brayden's response: Mommy, I would be a ladybug 'cause they have wings and they can fly high in the sky.

Kalen: I think I would be a bumblebee 'cause they have those hard stingers and they protect themselves that way. And 'cause they have these wonderful stripes, they are so cool. Oh and they have these antennas.

Maddie: I would be a butterfly, because they can fly. I like the way they look and how they flap their wings.

Julian: Definitely a dragonfly, because they are the fastest bug and they can fly.

We have been studying insects within our science lessons. The other day at the library Kalen suggested that we study bugs. We loaded up on library books on this topic. Ah, the joy and freedom of homeschooling. I looked on the web and found this site. I have been winging it (no pun intended) and the kids have really been digging it (okay that was intended). However, today is not our day to actually do science (I had no lesson planned), but I thought this conversation starter might be fun.

Do you all have fun ideas for conversation starters during meals? I would love to hear.

Camping at Hunting Island

Last weekend we had the privilege of meeting up with our friends, the Kruideniers, and heading to Hunting Island, SC. They had camped there before and suggested we all go when the guys could break from their school responsibilities. We went to the mountains last summer and had a blast. We knew we were in for a treat this go around.

We had wonderful weather at Hunting Island. Sure, it was cold at times, but the sun was out during the day. The beach was simply gorgeous. We had easy access to the beach from our campsites (we had two right beside each other). This state park has a lot to offer; we enjoyed nature trails, a lighthouse (with 166 steps to the top that we climbed), a marsh boardwalk, and a nature center. There has been a lot of erosion, but I found the aftermath of that to be beautiful. There are tons of amazing bare trees lying on a naked beach. They looked like pieces of art. They were great natural climbing structures for our crew.

If you asked any of our kids about our camping trip, they would mention the raccoons. There were several raccoons that go from campsite to campsite in search of food and such. You can see them. The kids even named the ones that seemed to frequent our site. They are used to people, I guess. Our fellow campers beside our tents had to rescue one of my canvas bags of food and my tupperware of muffins. They came in brood daylight, those rascals!

Our time with the Kruideniers around the campfire was just priceless, from the huddling around the fire with sticks to looking at one another with sleepy faces each morning. We enjoyed so much conversation, laughs, great beach walks, and super vegan camp food. Daniel even made pancakes for our final breakfast. Our kids love to hang out with their girls. Daniel, Jen, Ellen, and Arianna are such troopers to want to go on this adventure with all of us. I am so thankful for our close friendship with them.

So, a definite thumbs up from me for camping at Hunting Island State Park. We had a really good time. I forgot how much work it takes to actually camp out, especially with small children, but it is so worth it!

Oh, and do any of you know how to get campfire smoke smell out of hair? :)

Keeping Our Options Open

A few months ago we stumbled upon a really unique school in downtown Durham. It is a free year around public charter elementary school (K-5). We know several interesting families that have their children enrolled there. Scott and I decided that if we are indeed responsible for our kids' education, we might as well find out about a school that appeals to us. Scott and I are not the type of homeschooling parents that think that homeschooling is the only way to go. I think it would be way too restrictive to assume that homeschooling is the only way our children could or should thrive or be educated. My preference is to have them home. However, I think it is important that Scott and I keep our options open and not close a door to an opportunity that could be both refreshing and a good experience for our children.

Our family went out one morning to visit this sweet little school. We had contacted the school and signed up for one of their tours. Evidently, they do tours fairly often. The students that attend school there were all in there appropriate rooms at that time. We joined a group of about twenty parents and strolled through the halls as a parent gave us a guided tour within the building. My first impression was that the classrooms and the school building itself is cozy. I am not saying that I felt overly cramped. I am truly saying that it felt cozy to be there. Our kids peered in the classrooms just as we did, their eyes wide with curiosity. We even went outside to the playground. Of course, our kids thought the playground was fabulous. I enjoyed hearing about how the school is very project based. I saw evidence on the walls and within the classroom of that. The tour concluded and then there was little discussion period. We walked our children outside with enrollment applications in hand and an open mind.

The school has a lottery system for enrollment. Scott and I decided to go ahead and fill out the paperwork and enter the lottery and see what happened. This past Monday was the actual lottery. We were notified that Julian, Madelyn and Kalen are now on the waiting list at the very top (1-6). I guess that is pretty good for this sort of thing.

Right now we are thankful to have learned about this sweet school. I feel good about entering them into the lottery and allowing ourselves the option should they get accepted. It is good to have options. I don't want our children to ever think that we have boxed them in at home and not considered other opportunities and such. I want them to see Scott and I actively seeking out what is a good fit for each of them and our family as a whole.