Homeschool

Due to circumstances beyond my control, and some within my control, I have re-opened my homeschool, about 12 years after its initial closure. Silas is home learning some things he has missed in school. Our schedule is flexible, though he doesn't realize just how flexible we can be. I have done a bit of shopping for books and such, which has been fun and a bit harrowing. I haven't spent much time contemplating high school at home until now. What is it this kid needs to learn before joining the adult world? It's a big question that most of us get to leave to the professional teachers, administrators, and the student himself.

It is difficult for a child that has been in traditional school his entire life to wrap his head around some of the things that are new in a homeschool setting. You can't get away with just doing the minimum--there is a 1:1 teacher/student ratio here. Also, much of homeschool is-can be- self-initiated. If you want to get something done, hey, just get it done. You don't have to wait until tomorrow if it seems interesting to do it now. Another thing is that as long as you cover the basics (reading/English, math), you can do all manner of activity for enrichment. And finally, all day is school, whether it seems so or not. Cooking and cleaning can even count (however painful that may seem), along with music, movies, and working in the yard.

We have begun a unit on WWII. I though that might be an interesting place to start looking at history. Now, I don't have the best grasp on world history, since I missed it in high school because of changing schools and didn't need it or take it in college. As a matter of fact, a person can get by in this world without knowing anything about world history (like I do). So this unit is of interest to me in a way English and math are not, since I have a background including both of those subjects. I am not so sure Silas feels the same way, but he does like guns and calling me a coffee nazi.

You know, I have made valiant attempts to simplify my life. My favorite blog is one on the simple life, and oh, how I enjoy imagining and even incorporating simplicity into my life. Adding homeschool to the mix is in no way creating a more simple life. Homeschool does, however, bring me to the basics of my son's education. If I hadn't done this I would not have had a clue as to just what he has and is missing in the realm of his education. And, of course, my responsibility as a parent is first and foremost to teach my child. So much time has been lost!

Silas's life, however, is more simple in some ways with traditional high school out of the way for now. I'm not sure it's what he was looking for in life, but it is what it is.

Visiting our Poppletons in Wellsville, UT

Allan, Silas and I had the fabulous experience of driving to the Logan area to visit family and witness the baptism and confirmation of Abigail Helene Poppleton. It was such a good visit, at least for us. Hopefully it was for them, too.

Silas didn't really want to go at the last minute and made something of a fuss, but after a few hours in the car settled down to --well, if not enjoy the trip, at least tolerate it with grace. The 13-hour drive had a little added bonus of a trip to the Boise DI (thrift store) when I realized Si didn't pack any church clothes. That was an adventure! Travis called him a rock star the whole time we were there, and he did look a bit like one, wearing his red-lense sunglasses and playing guitar.

The family was wonderful. I didn't do too much with the kids except watch out for the baby, but it was just great taking it all in. It made me want to find a little house right in their neighborhood and take Helene's children whenever she needs a sitter or a break.

We had the big family gathering of Poppletons and the three of us after Abby's baptism on Saturday, complete with a lamb roast, feast of veggies, and an egg hunt. I had the chance to visit with Travis's very sociable sister and sisters-in-law, who were gracious and accepting. The men played a 4-sided chess game, which, of course, went on forever. I believe a lovely time was had by all.

It was sad to leave.

SAM

Silas and I took the opportunity to visit the Seattle Art Museum yesterday, and had a lovely time. I had never been there before, unbelievably, and took the opportunity to round out our spring break with a trip there.

There were a couple of interesting displays from out of town that caught my eye. One was American Art from the Yale University Art Gallery. It was amazing to see those paintings I have seen in textbooks and commercials all my life depicting George Washington, or the signers of the Declaration of Independence, or others. The other showing was by Titus Kaphar, a modern artist of whom I had never heard. His work is gutsy and colorful, and I was glad to have seen it.

Silas enjoyed the trip, I think, and made a splash wearing one of his artistic and expressive outfits. I wish I had a photo, but I don't. Many visitors to the museum let him know they liked his leather 3-corner hat. He took it in stride, as always.

Si was funny. He proclaimed much of the modern art "crap" very loudly. There were a couple sculptures covered in cut up thrift-store sweaters, and another that had a (in Si's mind) desecrated fencing mask. None of it was art to me, but if it's in the SAM it's art to somebody!

After the trip Silas said his favorite painting was Trappers' Camp by Albert Bierstadt. I remember looking for him from another room and noticing him standing in front of it for a long time. After he was finished taking it in I sneaked over to see what had him so mesmerized. The painting looked like someplace Si would like to spend some time.

There was a neat exhibit called Tack and Jibe, too. If you watch the minute and a half video you will see the painting Si and I both liked best, Malcolm Roberts' View of Aurora Bridge.

Thanks to Mary Ann Sullivan for permission to use her photo of the Seattle Art Museum, 2008.

Looking for the Spring in Spring Break

Yesterday it had the audacity to snow. SNOW! I know it was April fools and everything, but this is getting ridiculous. I am considering putting in a garden, but am awaiting the last frost date. When may that be?
Today, though, we were lucky enough to simply be pelted with rain. Chloe and Allan went to Zion's Camp for a mini-vacation. I hope they took wood for a campfire, and that they really did get a cabin as they had hoped. I don't know how their stuff would have stayed dry in a tent.
I did something I have done very few times in my life: I ordered pizza for Justin, Silas and me, and had it delivered. I took a (very small) poll and it was decided that meaty pizza was the order of the day. As the three of us had our fill and rain was falling so hard on the roof we could hardly hear ourselves chew, Justin and I high-fived our decision to forgo camping and stay in the cozy house.
It is lucky that we have so many computers. Justin has spent the day in his room playing Sims 2. Silas was in the family room watching movies on the computer. I was here in the living room watching my favorite tv shows on my new-to-me laptop. It's a good thing we had to eat, or we may never have seen each other all day, even though we virtually never left the house after 3 pm. I offered to make blonde brownies so that we would have another meeting, which we did around a quick helping of dessert.