I wrote a post about a month ago, talking about the many things that have made this school year a truly great one. I'm glad I wrote that post, because I have found myself in several crises of faith since then, battling the homeschooler's constant enemy- the enemy of "Am I doing enough?" I reread that post and remember the reason why I do what I do. It reminds me of the things that are most important to me. And that we had a wonderful school year.
Tonight we fired up the brick pizza oven and ate outdoors. And then we made s'mores in the oven for the first time (perfection, really). As everyone licked their fingers and wiped melted marshmallow from their lips, I asked them to think about the things they were most proud of this school year, areas where they had grown or matured. The conversations we had were priceless. Mister has difficulty seeing his strengths, but with some coaching, he was able to name some. Josh and I shared our observations as well and you could see him swell with pride. Brown-Eyed Girl had a list of four things and it made me so happy to know she was proud of herself in these areas. Because she should be. She has made huge strides this year. Hearing all the talk about her siblings, Petite kept saying "What about me? What about me?" And we were happy to hear her thoughts and share our own with her, and to see her smile with pleasure as we praised her.
Homeschooled kiddos rarely get recognized for their hard work in tangible ways. Much of what they do is only seen by mom, maybe by dad, and maybe their siblings. While I have always wanted to have an end-of-the-year ceremony for friends and family, it just hasn't happened yet. Taking this evening to wrap-up our school year, at least as a family, with encouraging words and the first s'mores of summer, was a good thing. I pray, and I believe, that this will stick with my kiddos. We are so very proud of them, not just for their hard work, but for the young people they are becoming. They are precious and priceless to us.
And though they didn't tell me what an a-mazing teacher I am, Brown-Eyed Girl asked me a simple question that made my whole homeschool career worth it.
"You're still going to read to us this summer, right?"
Of course they are thrilled to put away the school books, but they love to have mom read to them. And that fills my heart with joy.
Yes, oh yes, I will read to you this summer. I have more books to read to you than I will be able to! I promise.
Welcome, you lazy days of summer. I will try hard to savor you while you're here.
And just because it makes me happy, I want to share all the books I read aloud to the kids this past year (or listened to via audiobook). These are just the chapter books. There are many more books I read to them, including biographies, tall tales, poetry etc.
Gone Away Lake
Strawberry Girl*
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle's Magic
The Sign of the Beaver*
The Birchbark House
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch*
Justin Morgan Had a Horse
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (for the 3rd time)*
The Hobbit (audiobook)
The Witch of Blackbird Pond*
Calico Captive
Johnny Tremain (audiobook)*
Toliver's Secret
Three Go Searching
Ben and Me
Ramona Quimby, Age 8*
Ellen Tebbits
Stuart Little (audiobook)
The Cabin Faced West
Bound for Oregon*
Henry Huggins (audiobook)*
By the Great Horn Spoon*
Matilda (audiobook)*
Caddie Woodlawn
It is too hard to pick favorites as all of these were wonderful, but I have starred a few that really did stand out.
