Catching Our Breath

Well, we have arrived at the end of our first term of study for 2012.  We have planned for formal study of 9 weeks for each term, having a 3 week break to pursue pleasure reading and creative projects, plus catch up on housework and organisation that may have gone missing during the term.  Formal study takes a break, but learning continues through other delight directed avenues.  Lovely.

So, we are taking a breather.

And this morning I find myself reflecting through our first term, and pondering my posts for our learning so far in 2012.   My blogging of late can best be described as sporadic - I had such high hopes for this little blog this year, but life is just plain old busy and very full - some days I feel I barely have time to think, let alone write about it all.  Sometimes I think it is too full and I fight the urge to pull back.  But I think this is a season.  A season with older children and many friends.  A season where God has called us to a greater level of involvement in our church and homeschool community.  And because of that I need to enjoy it in all its fullness.  Another season will come, that will be different again, and perhaps a little quieter.  So, I am learning to enjoy Today!

Looking back on our plans for 2012 we are tracking pretty well.  I have only made some very minor tweakings in our schedule/curriculum.  The girls have all settled into their new routines and books very happily.  Even my youngest has declared a new love for learning which was unheard of before.  She even cares enough to make the effort to write neatly!  (That is amazing in itself.)  And her interest in reading and ability in reading has jumped ahead dramatically - I find myself wondering if the culmination of the 'magic' age of 10-ish and the years of gently encouraging in reading, and being read to, in writing a little here and a little there has now all come together for her, ready for the next stage of learning.  Just think, it only took us 10 years to reach a point where everything is running smoothly at the beginning of the year.  Perhaps we are just slow learners.  Or maybe it has something to do with not having younger children in our home anymore, as now all my children study with books, pencil and brains, rather than activity, the outdoors and play.  And they are all very capable of being responsible for themsleves to a large extent.

Our days have settled into a routine that seems to be working for all of us.  Mornings between 9:00 to 12:00/12:30pm is our formal study time, with each girl working through her own schedule usually at the dining table together, sometimes separately at their desks.  Monday afternoons we have our Homeschool Latin Class with 2 other families and piano and violin lessons.  Mondays and Fridays are housework days.  And Wednesdays we have off, as a 'Natural Learning Day' (helps it sound more educational!).  But in reality it helps me to catch up on anything that has appeared, or to do extra things about the house to help keep us all going, and gives the girls a day to work on their own projects. Wednesday is also our designated baking day.  Our evenings are pretty full with Home Group, Youth Group, Music Group and Youth Group planning meetings, and of course we have our fortnightly Homeschool Group as well.  Busy, full and all profitable.  So far, so good.

Edgar Degas 1905