Well, it took getting back to a normal schedule to snap me out of my chaos. Rather than lazing around the house during my last two weeks of summer, I've been crazy busy. Just when I thought I'd have all my projects just about wrapped up for the start of school, I was commissioned for a huge knitting job. I've never been hired for knitting, so I'm not sure how this is all going to work out, but a woman down south asked if she could pay me to knit her granddaughter (due December 30) a layette of two sweaters, a hat, booties, and bib in four colors to match gowns she is having smocked by a friend down south. It took me a day to work out all the details, but now I have ordered the yarn and I am speed knitting a sweater for my cousin's little girl, Margot, so that when the yarn arrives I can get started. In the meantime I have other jobs to get in the mail. Busy, busy, busy.
Today is the first day of school, so I thought I better get back to the blog. I can't believe it's been vacant for over two weeks.
Miss Faith this morning with her Schultüte
It's hard to believe Faith is in eighth grade. When the boys were homeschooled, we always had a goal. We always knew we wanted them to go to St. Charles. They all made it there; they all graduated. Our city does not have an all-girls Catholic high school, but when Faith was born we were certain by the time she was 14, we would have one. The bishop will not support an all-girls school, but twice since she was little, groups of parents have tried to pull one together. It's never been successful, so we don't have an all-girls Catholic choice. I am a staunch advocate for same-sex education, and without that choice we have some decisions to make. Faith wants to stay home for high school, though I have never really wanted to homeschool high school. She wants to dance a lot more than she would be able to if she was in school, and if she starts to teach (our studio has an apprentice program) she would really be limiting herself by attending school. Yet, it's not entirely her decision. We have a good Catholic high school, though it's not geographically our high school, so she'd have to be released from our high school and travel farther to attend the high school we prefer.
So, big decisions ahead. If only we could see the future, right? This year will be a test year. I had a heart-to-heart (or maybe more tête-à-tête with more banging involved) with Faith and told her that if she wants to stay home for high school then she is going to have to really buckle down in school and show me that she is capable of working independently and diligently, as well as in dance.
Say a prayer for me, would you?
praying barb! I just graduated my girl from Mother of Divine Grace last May...she is in college now, sniff. We were enrolled and made great use of their LS online classes. I'm sure you know all the options out there by now, but we did love it!
ReplyDeleteMother of Divine Grace uses an awful lot of reading in their curriculum and Faith is such a resistant reader. I'll tell ya, after two days, I'm ready to send her to school! I feel like all of the "diploma" homeschool programs are a lot more rigorous than school school, especially the school she would be attending.
DeleteGreat update and we are exactly one week behind you starting our homeschool next Wednesday! Saying a prayer for a blessed homeschool year!
ReplyDeleteI'll pray for you, too!
DeletePrayers for you both. What a lovely photo of her! She looks grown up in the picture.
ReplyDeleteShe looks grown up but she doesn't act very grown up -- a good and bad thing!
DeleteI hope you and Faith have a good year. If I were doing high school on my own, I'd be enrolling in MODG or, more likely, Kolbe Academy. Faith might prefer MODG.
ReplyDeleteThat's exciting and scary about the custom order---4 separate layettes??? That's a lot.
Like I said to Mel, MODG and Kolbe are really reading heavy curricula. I just don't think Faith can handle it. I'm really not sure she can handle Seton either, but she is completely enrolled this year (Lord, please help me). We're going to the school open house, just to check it out and so she can see it's not hell (she's never been in a school except an all-boys school, so she really has no idea what it's like).
DeleteI know -- about the layette. I was talking with this woman on the phone about a dozen times and every time she called she would change her mind and add something else. It started with three sweaters, booties and hats, and an extra sweater. Then she wanted an extra sweater. Then she wanted both styles of the sweaters in both colors, then bibs, and hats and booties in all the colors. She also wanted two blankets and I said "no way." I said, "I only have two hands -- there's just one of me." And though I'm making a little money, she is getting a really good deal for hand knit items. I. just. never. learn. At least I can do it while Faith schools. And it's all newborn size. The sad thing is I knit to relax, but I think I might have just ruined that for myself.
You did not take your own advice! Just the other week, you told me I'd probably ruin my love for photography by joining a photography club. I took your advice, though, if it's any consolation. :-)
DeleteGood luck with Faith. Delaney doesn't prefer to read; she's a strong auditory learner. Maybe she could do her "reading" with books on tape? It's just really hard to get a decent education without books!
I know, Jennie. It was one of those things that just got out of control. At first, I was happy to have someone to knit for, but it kept growing and growing. It wasn't until the blankets came up that I said "Whoa!" She's still hoping I'll have time for them.
DeleteI really wish Faith enjoyed reading more. When I was her age I had my nose in a book all the time. I still do when I can. I listen to audio books when my hands are busy, but I miss important details and that's a problem when we're talking about an education.
homeschoolconnections.com
ReplyDeleteAuthentic Catholic online classes made affordable. Best teachers ever!
Your daughter will love it. Check it out!
Faith looks so pretty and grown up! I wish you lived here! (For so many reasons!) Anna just transferred to a new school for 7-12. It is Christian and co-ed, but the classes are separated out. Anna is with 18 girls, and that is it. She hasn't even met the boys! They have a few co-ed classes in the upper grades, and the first co-ed social is in like 10th grade. I really like the set up. It is so intentional. So much better for learning ... and other reasons, too ;-) Wishing you clear discernment this year!
ReplyDeleteHave you checked into Homschool Connections? (Catholic online courses) We love it. Nicholas is in 10th and taking Biology and Spanish live and the rest of his classes are pre-recorded. For the first time in 11 years, he LOVES his classes!
ReplyDeleteThere are options....I know God will place it in your heart. I'll pray for you!
Faith looks so grown up...she grew up right before my computer eyes!! :)