When we began our homeschooling adventure, we connected with other homeschool families found in our church and neighborhood. It wasn’t hard to plug in and find ways to hang out via playdates, field trips, and the essential monthly Moms’ Night Out.

During the time we were in the midst of moving, I was approached to join a homeschool co-op that was starting up with a trial run in the summer.

For those who don’t know, a homeschool co-op is when a group of homeschooling kids get together to learn in a co-operative setting. There are mixed grades/ ages and can provide one piece of the socialization puzzle that so many non-homeschooling people get hung up on. (Seriously. These days, if you aren’t a homeschooler and you ask a homeschool family about socialization, you just seem silly. I’ll still politely take your questions though.) Homeschool co-ops can range from a bunch of parents teaching one topic weekly to a bunch of families spending the money to hire qualified teachers to teach their kids subjects that might be out of the scope of the parents’ skill sets. There is really no wrong way to set up a co-op (from what I have seen).

Our parents teach classes- I teach the 3 year olds (ABC basics) and there are two other older classes who are learning about etiquette and a science class. There is also a PE element. And it’s a fun time for Fuller. Tebow tries to hang out in the nursery, but by the end of the morning he is toddling around following me, missing his morning nap.

But it is hard. By the time we are finished (we have to clean up afterward) and get home exhaustion has set in for all three of us. I did make the change that I don’t expect any other school to take place on Wednesdays, since it was obvious after a few weeks of trying that out was more misery than anyone should have to handle.

In the long run, the hard is going to be worth it. If not for the extra knowledge Fuller gains but for the midweek interaction with other homeschool families that kind of energizes us for the rest of the week.

For more Wordless Wendesday fun, check out Five Minutes for Mom.

This summer we continued in the family tradition of visiting Lake Martin in July. It involves time with grandparents (Damon’s parents), cousins, boat rides, dinner at Kowliga, and lots of swimming in the lake.

Tebow loves being in the water. He practically begs for baths at home.
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For more Wordless Wednesday, check out Five Minutes for Mom.

Fuller’s been practicing football for about a month. And today we head off to find a rural high school field to meet our first real opponents. Soon after the game our family will be roadtripping down to Auburn so Damon and Fuller can watch Auburn whoop up on Arkansas State.

We had to explain to Fuller what a tune-up game is. Fortunately we were able to use a real life example- last week Fuller had a kind of tune-up game. Except when you are 5 years old and barely know how to play the game, it is called a jamboree.

1,2,3, BULLDOGS!
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Three weeks have gone by and I’m happy to report we are still a homeschooling family.

There is one big thing I have learned about our current family lifestyle- it is exhausting. We seemed to have eeked out a routine of sorts, but there are days when the routine is kicked to the curb and we simultaneously fall apart and find refreshment in the flexibility.

Wednesday was such a day.

On Wednesday we did our morning homeschool co-op (more on that later) and then came home to squeeze in two lessons. Two lessons! It isn’t a lot. I promise. Maybe an hour of work. But apparently co-op takes more out of us than I realized. Concentration was nil. Attitude was terrible. And effort was in the unsatisfactory category.

And then there was Fuller who just didn’t understand the need for two more lessons.

We just weren’t up to having student/teacher time that was needed. Angry words were said, privileges were taken away, and Mommy was put in time out.

Our relationship was redeemed by a meeting postponed and Fuller getting some serious Daddy/ Wii time and me getting serious alone time. Flexibility gave refreshment.

The next day (and today, for that matter) Fuller and I were clicking along… completing lessons, gaining knowledge and having fun. I beamed (still beaming) at my son reading out loud, making picture graphs, using Iron Man as Mr. Traveler, and staying on task until our last “to do” was all done.

I know there are more Wednesdays in our future and I know there will be days when we will have to work harder or work less to get things done… but I’m happy to say we are three weeks done and I’m looking forward to many more.