and a new season begins

I'm not sure how it happened so fast, but school begins today began 2 weeks ago (I tried to blog - really). This is our first back to school in a couple of years (we've homeschooled for the last two) and the rhythm of school days is slowly returning to my brain. It makes our life in Portland seem more real - it feels less like a very extended vacation (I'm sure that Jeff will assure you it's been no vacation with all the working he's been doing, however!) and more like we have truly settled in. Annika is still homeschooling, with the addition of 2 days of classes at a homeschool center, but G is headed to a wonderful new school. 

Last week I wrote: Last night he was wandering around, unable to settle down for the night. The poor guy is so nervous. I remember that feeling. I switched schools at about his age and was pretty convinced that I would make no friends and that it would be a disaster. Today they'll go over courses and get to know each other. Tomorrow classes begin and they can try things out until Monday when they settle into a final schedule. I love that he gets to make choices and craft an education that is driven by his goals. 

Now I can tell you that he LOVES his school. Loves it. He's taking interesting, challenging classes and has made tons of friends. He rides his bike 6.2 miles each way to school and back (we'll see how that goes when the weather turns). He leaves here in time to be an hour early for school. For real. I've never seen him be so happy. I'm grateful that we were able to find a school here that is both a great fit for him personally and for us philosophically. 

A chicken who needs to start earning her keep

The days are shorter. I watch the sun rise now, having beat it to the punch by 30 minutes or more. I'm cheering my tomatoes on toward ripeness, but I'm losing hope. I may be making lots of green tomato stuff. One chicken is laying. One. The others are apparently full of the lazy. They have until the end of the month before they get a stern talking to about their future. I'm planting the winter garden of greens and garlic, carrots, onions, and things. We'll see what works and what doesn't. I'm already planning more beds for spring. 

Our wedding dog. She came home 2 days after we got married. 

There was celebrating around here. We've been married 10 years. Luna dog has lived with us for 10 years. The oldest turned 21 and I couldn't be there, which made me sad. I miss her something fierce. She's become quite a young woman. I wish I could still just meet her for lunch when I feel like it. Instead we iChat, which is not the same. 

I got to spend time with a dear friend this week - one I met through the Land of the Blog. We had some good conversation about blogging and social networking and where it's all going. I'll have more to say on that this week. Pinky swear. 

Hope fall is treating all of you well, friends. 

 

Comments

[Erin]

there's a lot of good happening here. i am so glad that school is going well! xo.

[jess]

How fantastic that Gunnar is excited about school. I hated school like fire when I was his age. A great school is such a gift.

[Heather]

So glad he is settling into the new routine. How is the hsing coop going for Annika? That little miss is getting so big!

[Sarah Jackson]

Thanks Erin. I want to to go his school! Such a great, inspiring place. 

[Sarah Jackson]

Weve homeschooled for a reason - we have felt that school has to really give something to you both intellectually and personally. We werent able to find that in Phoenix. Annika is still best served by home/co-op but Im looking forward to her starting here when shes old enough. Seeing how hes been for the last couple of weeks has been a great affirmation that this is what school can be and it was worth waiting for. 

[Sarah Jackson]

She really loves co-op. Its 2 days a week, which is just right. I guess its technically a resource center, but its parent run, not school run. Little miss needs to remember that shes still my baby. 

[laura]

glad to hear your finding the a new rhythm!

but the question remains, does that damn bird still coming in and watch gunner play video games?

[Sarah Jackson]

Ha! No, shes been banned from the house. Silly chicken.