Today is national “Talk Like A Pirate” day. Sean and Caleb dressed as pirates and went to Pirate Beach (aka Watters Beach) to learn science with a pirate who looked an awful lot like Grandpa Michael. They had a blast! I am bummed that I didn’t have my camera to capture the memory. Sean and Caleb built this sign and had the idea to paint it for an art project. They have such amazing imaginations. Notice the shadow in the 3rd picture- it was Sean’s idea.
Campus #2 for home education. After a great first week of school the boys and I headed down to Woods Coffee with our work for the day. This new coffee shop is beautiful! The design and location are a winning combo. Boulevard has always been one of my favorite Bellingham parks.
We are sitting in the lofted area that overlooks the bay. Currently, Caleb is reading a National Geographic Kids Magazine while sitting in an oversized, comfy leather chair and Sean is brainstorming and developing more of his comic book story. The free wireless makes blogging while I sit here with them possible. I love the energy all around us and the boys are enjoying their hot cocoa treat and the new atmosphere. We’ll definitely be coming back here!
I am considering home education for the boys, again. I re-read much of A Well Trained Mind this week and it really resonates with me. The Classical Education approach that this book recommends makes so much sense. It breaks down the different stages of learning (Grammar, Logic, Rhetoric) to teach what their brains are truly capable understanding at each given stage. For the boys to get the kind of education we want for them (well rounded academically with individual thought and artistic expression), we will have to teach them ourselves. We don’t feel like they are challenged enough and they certainly don’t get the kind of one on one attention that we could provide at home. In addition, Sean and Caleb have so many activities they would like to participate but we just can’t have them running around like crazy in the afternoons and evenings after being at school for 5 1/2 hours a day. The good news is, I already have most of the resources I would need for this next school year (2nd and 3rd grades) and I know exactly what else I would use that I don’t currently have. The more research I do, the more I am leaning toward this decision. Now I just have to stop and pray. If I am not crazy now, I could very well be after a few weeks of having the boys with me 24/7.
I can’t believe how fast the summer passed by! Our camping trip to Chelan was our last big event for the summer. Cam and I have decided that camping is NOT a vacation. The boys started school on Wednesday and are LOVING it so far. Sean is in 2nd grade and Caleb is in 1st. They have great teachers who are enthusiastic and encouraging — thank you God!
Our family is excited to begin our fall routine — school, AWANA, soccer (Caleb) and Thursday nights watching our favorite T.V. shows (The Office, Smallville & My Name is Earl). We are going to try to keep our schedule very empty and have more time together as a family at home. There are too many memorable moments that get missed running life at such a fast pace. I am actually looking forward to the leaves changing colors, the briskness of fall and the slower pace it brings to life.
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© Copyright 1995-2006 Cameron and Betsy Watters
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