I'll Have A Cup Of Quiet, Please

Have you ever just sat in a quiet dark room and sipped a cup of coffee? No kids, no TV, not even your phone on? Have you taken the time to just sit and be?  It’s harder than you think.  We are programed to go go go.  So taking the time to just sit and be still and quiet is hard, but very necessary. I think it is one of the most necessary things that is overlooked in our crazy busy world.

In this quiet time, we can let our minds wander at their leisure. The first step is the quiet.  I often have this time in the morning after my first cup of coffee.  Just me and the cats, alone and I am awake anyway.  I sit in my comfy chair and let my mind go.  No input from my phone or tablet, no computer screen or TV, it’s just me and my thoughts.  In our crazy world we just don’t do this any more.  It may be the most important thing in my day.

Silence is the universal refuge, the sequel to all dull discourses and all foolish acts, a balm to our every chagrin, as welcome after satiety as after disappointment.

~Henry David Thoreau

Can you remember the last time you just sat and were in the quiet? We have come to crave constant input. How many times a day do you check your phone, or log on to facebook? I am almost always connected.  The time I spend in the morning disconnected and quiet has become a respite for my brain and my soul.

Dawn is breaking and another crazy day is on tap and I have recharged my batteries with my few minutes of silence. However, I think I may have one more cup of coffee.

 

Posted by,

Heather Garcia

The Holiday Meal

Christmas is coming.  I feel like I am at the start of the hunger games.  Line up and go.  People pushing and shoving and rushing all around.  Why do we do this to ourselves.  Why do we get caught up in the race to make this one bigger or better than the last.

The holidays have lost a little luster for me now that my kids are older.  Now with only one at home, who is 14, everything seems to be a trial. I go on.  Getting the house decorated, and the tree up and making sure I plan dinner for the family.

Really this holiday for me is all about my family time.   I enjoy cooking and planning for our dinner.   I could do without the shopping and running around.  I enjoy a well done ham, some mash potatoes, and gravy.  I usually make a cheesecake for dessert.

So as I plan my menu I wonder what other people have on their holiday table.  

Leaf Bread (Laufabrauð)

Made of a thin, waferlike dough, this crisp flatbread is a holiday tradition in Iceland. Many families make it together a few days before Christmas; some Icelanders joke that it's the only time of year the men will help in the kitchen. It's first cut into intricate geometric patterns, then deep-fried and saved to be eaten as an accompaniment to Christmas dinner. Traditionally, a special tool called a leaf bread iron is used to cut the patterns, but we found a paring knife works just as well.

Sauerbraten (German Pot Roast)

The addition of sugar to the einbrenne (roux) gilds the gravy even as its sweetness balances the sour lemon note and the zing of pickling spices.

Buche de Noel (Yule Log Cake with Coffee Buttercream and Ganache)

This version of the traditional French Christmas cake is filled with coffee buttercream and covered in chocolate ganache.

Doro Wat

In Ethiopia, no holiday meal is complete without Doro Wat, a long-stewed dish of chicken flavored with chile, garlic, berbere, cardamom, and ginger, served with boiled eggs.

Tourtiere (Quebecois Meat Pie)

Apple cider and warming spices make this Canadian rustic meat pie a perfect holiday dish.

Here are just a few things I found while researching.  While I am not doing it this year.  In years past I have made tamales and stuffed cabbage a real mix of our families heritage.  This might be fun to do with the kids to research and add a food to your menu from another country.  

Whatever you do remember to take time to enjoy this season.

Posted by

Heather Garcia

Traditions Change

Like most families we have traditions during this holiday season. My husband and I have been married for almost 17 years. When we started out we made a lot of our own traditions. One thing we have done is get a real tree every year. Some years were smaller some bigger, but each year we all pile in the car and pick out a tree. My husband puts up the lights and I hand the decorations to the kids and they decorate the tree. This worked well for many years. I have never been one to be overly fussy about how it looks. Our decorations are a hodge podge of stuff I have collected over the years. Some of them are handmade gifts some I have made myself. In the end it is always festive. Now with only one 14 year old boy at home, tree decorating is just not as fun for me. My husband does the lights and we all jump in and help get the decorations done, however the fun is not there anymore. 

I committed a sin. I asked for a fake tree. My husband always had a fake tree growing up and it has been a big deal to him that we have a real one. Now with almost no help I am left to take the whole thing down myself. The boys in my life said they would help and so we will get a real tree this year. Honestly if they have strong opinions about it then so be it. However I do think if I am lugging a real tree down stairs and cleaning it up by myself next year we will have a new tradition.

I guess as kids get older and leave home things change. This is the first year it has hit me that I only have one left. So with a sniffle and a tear I have to hope that this is the final time for the real tree, and next year I can put up a pre lit seven footer in 10 minutes. Maybe then I will get my joy back for decorating it.

That said I know the first year I have the fake tree I will be sad, and miss all the family memories when we decorated the tree as a family. 

Christmas 2003


Posted By
Heather Garcia



   

Holiday Blues

Here we are again less than a month until Christmas.  A time when people should be full of joy and giving.  All I see is kids who are asking for more than parents can give and a big deal about spending money.  

So many times I see parents going into debt to buy that one gift a child wants.  It seems to me that we have changed the meaning of the season from one of joy and giving to one of commercialism and greed. I did this, even though in the past I have tried to teach my kids that it is a time of loving and giving. Perhaps we should have made something instead. 

 

 

Even I have fallen prey to this feeling of needing consumerism to show that I care.  When my girls were little we used to go to the mall and pick a child in need and get a gift for them.  Something fun and educational because that’s who I am.

In years past I have made gifts to give out and been excited to see them opened. I am not sure when I lost that joy.  Now I fret over choosing a gift, spending money I don’t need to spend, to make the right impression.  I know I am not alone.  

I say bring back the feeling of the season. Bring back the joy and love.  Bring back the spirit of giving.  Bring back a time when just spending time with people was a gift in itself.  We are so busy we forget that giving our time and energy to another can be a gift.

Time to shake off the holiday blues, so give your time freely, love freely and remember that in the end a bigger better gift is no replacement for true joy.

Posted by

Heather Garcia

Change It Up

After homeschooling for years I have noticed a pattern.  Right as we hit the “holidays” things get busy and our schedule seems to get off track. Both my son and I start to deal with some boredom. I start to conserve time by trimming off this or that, but a couple of years ago I had an idea.  What if I changed it up?  

One of the many joys of homeschooling is it can vary from family to family even child to child.  What works today may not work tomorrow and that is ok.  It took a long time for me to get there and to find out how to work with it instead of against it.

So we do a lot of learning on the go.  We do a lot of “off hours” learning.  We take advantage of life to help us learn.  Best of all it’s a joint project.  I think I learn as much during these times as he does.

I did a little research to see how other moms break the cycle and change up homeschooling.

1. Do a topical study.  Use a holiday to study the history, or the change in seasons to discuss the weather.
2. Read together.  No matter the age taking time to read together can bring you closer and help a struggling or unenthusiastic reader.
3. Do a service project.  Find a senior center and read to seniors or just adopt a grandparent. Help at a soup kitchen, or even make lunches for the homeless.  

This is just a taste of what I found that others are doing to change it up, but even things such as a change of scenery can revive and recharge you for the rest of the year.

Posted by

Heather Garcia

Tech Addiction

It’s funny. I have a husband who spends all day sitting at the computer and almost no time on the computer that is not work or personal project related, where as I am a self-professed social network addict.  I am working on this flaw. I have seen it in my kids and I am not a fan.  How can I ask them to stop if I am on Facebook 24/7?  So I need to learn to turn it off. The world will not end if I miss a text message, email or status update.  

Park play dates have turned into mom’s checking phones, teens checking phones and kids running around. We have checked out of personal contact and into a safe world of make believe.  

We crave that hit of dopamine we get when we check our phones.  We need to be connected to everyone on our friends list.  When did this happen?  Why did this happen?  Social skills are an afterthought.  No one writes personal notes anymore.  

We have a tech free dinner table.  This is a must.  We come together and sit down to eat and talk about our day.  No room there for Facebook or Twitter.  No room for Snapchat or text messages.  I think we need to do this more.  My husband has been saying this and I have been fighting the wave.  

I am not afraid to admit my guilt, but I am ashamed that I have let myself get this way.  Now it’s time to take a hard look and figure out how to get out of the hole I have dug myself into.  So I issue a challenge.  Put your phone down and talk to the people in your life.  Your friends, your family, the stranger next to you in line.  Look your cashier in the eye when she says hello and respond.  It will enrich your life.  

Posted by

Heather Garcia

Fall Co-op Wrap Up

 

Another successful co-op is in the books.  We would like to extend a huge thank you to the teachers, assistants and clean-up crews that made this all possible.  Also a thanks to Kristie for making this run so smoothly.  We are always looking to improve on our success, and as such the ideas from the board are already flowing.  If you have any ideas feel free to comment here or send a message to the board.  

With such a diverse group I am always happy to hear from teachers and parents how much they enjoyed co-op but I have to tell you there is a special place in my heart when the kids say “thank you” on the last day of class.  

I loved seeing all the creative costumes for our trunk r treat. It seems like everyone had a great time and the pictures are all fantastic. It was great seeing a mix of allergy safe and traditional treats given out.

Each session the classes get more and more creative and interesting.  So make sure you are thinking about what to teach in the spring.  I know it seems far away but I think that it will be here before we know it.  

We are currently looking for a new location for our spring co-op, hopefully in Wake Forest.  If you know of anywhere we might look into please feel free to let us know in the comments or send a message.   

Again thank you for a fantastic fall co-op.  Let’s see how we can top this one for spring.  

Posted by

Heather Garcia

Entertainment Vs. News

We live in a time where we have a 24 hour news cycle.  We are constantly bombarded with information.  News has become a loose term meaning anything that will get ratings, clicks or views.  I worry that the upcoming generation will not be able to tell news from entertainment. In a world where I have to tell my son to fact check everything he sees, I wonder how to teach him what true news is.  

I have taught my kids, all three of them, to question everything.  Told them to read both sides of a story and that the truth is somewhere in the middle.  In a political climate where it seems the fringes are yelling the loudest, I have to wonder if the up and coming generation will even be able to tell what is real and what is a fabrication.

Fox news, MSNBC, CNN, The Blaze, they all have an agenda.  It is almost impossible for someone to be completely objective.  It’s the language used or the tone, even the images and lighting will change how we see a story.  News is like a big game of telephone.  I can see something live on one station and look at three others and see something different  - but it’s all the same event.

In a world of sound bites and 140 character tweets, how do we as parents teach our kids to find out what really happened?  Even being homeschoolers, our kids have inherited our biases. We all view the world through our own experience.  We have people watching comedy news shows and getting tweets for news.  Facebook news feeds give us an overview and we don’t bother to read the whole story before we share it and make our decisions.

I think that the only way to combat this is a continuing open dialogue with your kids about what is going on in the world.  Teaching them to see both sides of a story.   With our current political cycle let them read all the candidates views not just the ones you agree with. Teach them to do the hard work of researching a topic to find out all sides of any issue. Teach them to be informed in conversation, not to regurgitate sound bites. Teach them the importance of facts over feeling in the events happening in our world.  This brand of critical thinking has become a lost art and I fear for the future if it is not taught to our kids.  

Posted by

Heather Garcia

Set Phases on Run

That we love our children no matter what goes without saying. That said there are times when we don’t like them, or more precisely the phase they are in. The times when they were/are babies and they don’t sleep because they are colicky, or the terrible twos, the four going on forty phase. I remember the “I don’t need a nap” phase. That one was very hard on this frazzled mom. When my teen daughter went through her goth/emo phase, I was pretty sure that the tri-state area would run out of black eyeliner and hair dye.

Any parent with more than one kid knows each one is different and goes through stuff in their own way. My special needs daughter was obsessed with Adam Lambert to the point that we avoid the name and music at all costs. Even more trying was the Harry Potter phase where all she would do is read, we had to fight to get her to eat, or do any school work at all.  

My son’s lack of desire to read was another trying phase. Mostly I think because I wanted him to read more. Now he reads but still on his terms.

The big thing to remember is that no matter what phase your family is going through at the moment, this too shall pass. Even if it seems that you will never again go to the bathroom alone, or have a quiet bath.  Remember that eventually they will grow out of that movie you don’t ever want to see again, and they will probably not even remember being so wrapped up in whatever the phase is.  

So take heart moms.  The eyerolls, the sighs, and the defiance are phases that will pass and there will be the next parental hurdle to get over. In the end that is why we have things like Wake Forest Homeschoolers, so we can talk to other parents who have gone before and survived to share their tale.

A Path Less Structured

“Unschooling is an educational method and philosophy that advocates learner-chosen activities as a primary means for learning. Unschooling students learn through their natural life experiences including play, household responsibilities, personal interests and curiosity, internships and work experience, travel, books, elective classes, family, mentors, and social interaction.”

When I started my journey into homeschooling I would never have thought that Unschooling would be a path for me.  I am a structure kinda gal.  I have color coded notebooks and learned math on graph paper to keep the lines straight.  We started with a curriculum that basicly told me what to do every second of the day. At first I got right down to it and my son was less than receptive.  Then I started to make “modifications” to what they were doing.

The last year we did this we struggled and were losing our love of learning… Both of us.  So I made the decision to totally change how we functioned.  I had met some unschoolers and I was unsure of how I could make this work for us, I like structure and my son needs some.  The great thing is I met some wonderful people who taught me that just because I am Unschooling does not mean I am unparenting. This helped me a lot and I learned to make my way slowly to a less structured education for my son.

I am not an unschooler but I am working that direction.  I still have some things that we can’t seem to let go of, but I am learning that doing worksheets and taking tests is not the way my son learns.  I have let go of the “schooling at home” mentality for the most part, and embraced that we learn things everyday all day in many ways.  

Seeing my son’s joy in learning return has been a blessing.  He is a smart kid (if I do say so myself) and I much prefer the return of the curious kid who enjoys learning.  To this end, we have incorporated group learning such as co-ops and group classes.  Living history is a gift from the gods.  Family discussions over dinner yield many hours of education and family bonding that we would never see otherwise.  

In the end I learned that maybe a path less structured is the way to go for us.  Who knows where this might lead?  Wherever it goes we will enjoy the ride.  

Posted by

Heather Garcia

Our Unsung Hero

Our group is incredibly lucky.  We have the best co-op coordinator.  Kristie has a talent for pulling this all together and making it a success.   I am always amazed how smoothly things seem to run.  This, I am sure, is a testament to her hard work and many hours of organization.

There before everyone and the last to leave, I think she may get five minutes to sit all day.  She spends months planning and five Fridays executing her masterpiece. Kristie comes with name tags, hair ties and tarps.  She has class lists, maps and supplies.   She hauls the lost and found and countless supplies for other things.  All this on top of making sure her three girls are where they need to be.  

Kristie manages to deal with parent and teacher absences, wrangling clean up crews, and keeping up with where everyone belongs.  She never lets on how much work this is or how tired she is at the end of the day.  We all go about our business and classes and most of us don’t realize the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes.

So remember to stop and take a moment to thank your co-op coordinator.  This is often a thankless position and we all owe her a debt of gratitude for the hard work and countless hours she spends to make our five weeks twice a year a great time for all.

Posted by
Heather Garcia

Support II

 

How to deal with the unsupportive.

So you have decided to homeschool, your family and friends have given you the third degree, and you feel like you are on an island alone.  Here are some tips I have found helpful in dealing with unsupportive family and friends.  

• Don’t get defensive.  I know this is hard but these people do not live your life. Take a deep breath and remember this is a decision that is deeply personal and not everyone will be walking in the homeschool parade.

• Bring out the names of famous homeschooled kids:

• Lewis Carroll (b. 1832), mathematician, logician, and author of Alice in Wonderland. Carroll was homeschooled until he was 12.
• Astra Taylor Canadian-American documentary film-maker, writer, musician. unschooled until age 13.
• Theodore Roosevelt (b. 1858), 26th President of the United States, homeschooled until college.
• Ernst Mach, Austrian physicist, homeschooled until high school by his parents.
• Come up with more on your own!

• Know the facts.

• “A 2011 small-sample study led by Sandra Martin-Chang of Concordia University* and using Canadian participants, found that “structured homeschooling” – where clear education goals are set and structured lessons in the form of either purchased curricula or self-made lesson plans (or a combination of the two) – produced academic performances much better than those achieved by same-level students in public school.  Specifically, in five of seven test areas (word identification, phonic decoding, science, social science, humanities) structured homeschoolers tested at least one grade level ahead of public schoolers.  They were almost a half-a-year ahead in math, and slightly, but not significantly, advanced in reading comprehension.”
• “The Huffington Post Teen page for 3/28/15 cites a U.S. News and World Report article published in 2012 based on statistics provided by the National Home Education Research Institute.  These statistics indicate that more than 2 million U.S. students in grades K-12 were home-schooled in 2010, accounting for nearly four percent of all school-aged children.  The same Huffington Post page notes that, according to a study that compared graduation rates at one doctoral university from 2004-2009, students coming from a home school graduated college at a higher rate than their peers­ — 66.7 percent compared to 57.5 percent — and earned higher grade point averages along the way (Cogan, Michael; “Exploring Academic Outcomes of Homeschooled Students,” University of St. Thomas, 2009).”

• Take a deep breath and smile.

• I have smiled and laughed off so many misguided comments it is not even funny, but remember being defensive and upset only affects you.  The offending party usually just goes on about their business.
• Remember, anything they have to say is reflective of their issue, not yours.

• Remind them this was not a rash decision

• This is not a decision most make lightly and it is hurtful to have it questioned. But taking the time to remind “helpful” friends and family that this path is the one you thought best for your child can close a lot of detractors’ mouths.

• Walk away

• Sometimes the best thing you can do is let go of an unhealthy, unsupportive relationship. This is not easy or fun, and the hurt can last a long time. Remember that relationships are built on trust and respect.  If it is lacking in those things maybe it’s best to put some space between you and the issue.

• Find like-minded people

• We are living in an age where homeschooling is becoming more mainstream. You can find any number of support groups or co-ops to help you.  There are secular and religious groups.  Either or both are great ways to make friends and have a supportive system.

Remember that most of the negative comments are made from a place of honest concern or love and I usually say thanks for your thoughts but I have that covered, or I understand your concern but this is important to me and my family.  

Really it is all worth it at the end of the day, and you get to see your child live to his/her full potential because you made a choice to take a harder road.

Posted by

Heather Garcia

Support

How many times have I cringed when attending an event because I know the questions will arise? Making the choice to homeschool is a very personal decision for each family.  Each caretaker weighs the options and chooses the best path for their child.  I have been doing this for awhile so I can dodge the snarky comments and avoid the anger (mostly). Being judged by anyone is not fun, but what about when it’s your support system?

The decision made, you are excited.  You rush to tell your parents, your siblings and other close family. Only, you are met with doubt, confusion, and sometimes open hostility.  You put on a smile, (or not) while you try to put into words this deeply personal decision.  

Now the questions start.  “How will they learn to stand in line?” Yes, I was asked this.  “Will they even learn to socialize?”  Really? I thought we got past that one.  “How will you know if they are learning what their peers are?” I’m homeschooling for a reason. “Will they ever get into college?” Really?  Just really?

Then you go to your friends for support.  There you get, “I could never deal with my kids all day.” Maybe they don’t know how this sounds. Or better yet, “I wish I could afford to stay home and do nothing.”  Maybe they don’t know that the choice to give up at least a part-time income and at most a full-time job means you make choices. That you choose to spend money on learning materials, or field trips, instead of girls night out, or a concert.  For some of us it means driving an older car to avoid a new payment, or putting off buying ourselves new shoes because we saw a new learning aid that we have to have.  

Some of us search for a community that understands, one that embraces us and our choices. That is what I found with Wake Forest Homeschoolers.  If we are lucky we find a tribe where we can get advice on the best way to teach fractions, or someone to talk to after that last fight with your mom about socialization.  

Support is key.  If you don’t find it in your circle of friends and family, then extend your circle.  We are lucky to be homeschooling in a time where you can find a group by just searching the web. It may take a bit of looking, and not every group is right for everyone, but it is worth the hunt when you find your support.

Hang On Mom

“Hang on, mom!”

Famous words from kids all over the world who just want to stay, play or even sleep a little longer. Sometimes I feel like that phrase is said just to push my buttons.  This is of course not true.  It seems it just usually stems from kids, just being...well kids.  

It seems that when I give a warning about time, like we will leave in a half hour, I see better results.  I have three kids. Two of them are adults and I learned a long time ago, it is usually better to give a warning. They have time to wrap up whatever they are doing and prepare to change gears.  

That said it does not always work and I have had to drag a crying or upset child from a playdate or down to dinner.  Now that my last child is older, it is easier.  He knows when we serve dinner and is usually ready for the interruption.  

I think the more aware of time they become, the easier it is.  Younger kids have no real handle on time.  You say five minutes until dinner, but that does not have any real meaning to them.  So when the five minutes are up and you call them, they do not see that it has been that long.  When you are young it can seem like an hour or the blink of an eye.  

Somewhere someone has done some scientific study.  I am not that impressed with that.  I know that each and every kid is different and they all learn, grow and mature at their own rate. No amount of prodding, poking or pleading with change that.  

So we do our best to be understanding and get stern when we have to, but mostly we just continue to hear “Hang on, mom!” and sometimes smile knowing that all too soon they grow up and leave the nest.  That someday you will miss that silly phrase.

Posted by Heather Garcia

For Wake Forest Homeschoolers

Finding a Group

Finding other homeschoolers with whom you can exchange ideas and support is a key when embarking on this journey. I don’t know how we went so many years without this amazing asset. Now I can not imagine our lives without it.

There are tons of groups out there. With MeetUp, Facebook, and other social networking sites it seems the choices are endless. So with all of that, how do you find a group that fits you and your family?

I started by deciding what I was looking for. I needed a group with at least a few kids around my son’s age. There also had to be a good variety of events to choose from. Mostly I wanted to find a community that we could become part of, a place where we could both make friends.
Wake Forest Homeschoolers is that home for us. I am still a member of several other groups but this one is our home. I love the twice a year co-ops where my son can enjoy classes taught by other parents. The classes are usually fun and the five weeks seem to fly by.


At the end of the fall co-op we have a trunk-r-treat for the kids and even some of the parents dress up. I tell ya this has been so much fun. I can’t wait for this fall’s classes to start.

Finding a group of people you feel comfortable and safe with really is key.

　

Posted by

Heather Garcia

Event Success

WOW! What a fun night for the kids. The "Come As You Are Dance" was a success. The DJ kept the kids on the dance floor. They were well fed and had a great time. The pictures coming in are of kids dancing and smiling and having so much fun.

The community all rallied around Jessica and her event to see it become a success. There were tons of chaperones and lots of help to clean up. It is so exciting to see the kids enjoy a fun and safe event. Even more so to see them all be able to express their personalities and be accepted.


I am consistently reminded how diverse and bright the kids are. I talked to more than a few about music choices, and how they enjoyed the dance. All seemed happy and engaged. Other than feeling a bit old that my music is classic, I was amused at the results.

I was thrilled to hear that another dance might be coming. Seeing the kids have fun and dance makes me a happy mom.

Gearing up for co-op

We are less than a month out from our next epic co-op.  Starting on October 2nd and continuing for the entire month, every Friday will be full of fun, learning and friends.  Our fearless leader Kristie has been hard at work to make this a successful venture.  Making sure it all runs smoothly is no easy task and she makes it look so simple.  

The three hours we spend at the WFHS co-op are some of our most enjoyable times.  We all come together to share fun and learning.  Kids get to take some fun classes like “My Spidey Senses Are Tingling”, “Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem”, and “Cryptozoology”.

I have to tell you I often wish I could sit in on several classes to enjoy the lessons myself.  However I am teaching a class about money management, so I will be busy.  I get excited when I am teaching.  We have such a great group of kids who like to learn it is hard not to share in their joy of learning.

So on the last day of our co-op we are doing a Trunk R Treat.  We tried this last year and it was a success, kids and parents alike enjoyed it.  I loved seeing all the costumes, and of course dressing up.  So let’s see what this year brings.

Again none of this would be possible without Kristie’s hard work and the talent of our teachers and assistants.  They all deserve a great big THANK YOU!!!

Posted by

Heather Garcia

Falling Into Fall

Falling Into Fall

 

The temps are dropping and the days are getting shorter.  For some this signals the end of the fun of summer, for others it starts the wonderful and crisp days of fall.  I love the sound of fallen leaves crunching under my feet, the feel of the cool crisp morning air.  

 

Okay stop laughing…  I know!   It’s here, co-ops, field trips, and outings OH MY! I watch daily as our schedule for the next few months fills up and gets more and more crazy.  Right now I am starting to schedule downtime for me and my son.  I know we will both be overtired and unable to function if we don’t have some time to just be.

 

That said, all of the upcoming events mean social time and learning in fun new ways.  Seeing friends and overall just having a good time.

I never thought we would look forward to our co-op.  Five weeks of fun and friends and learning.  It’s a time for my child to learn from others and enjoy time away from home.  If you would have asked me about co-ops when I started this journey I would have said you are NUTS.  Leaving my house to spend time in a building full of people, but it is amazing the things you will do for your kids.

 

So we are falling into fall, enjoying the busy and embracing our crazy schedule.  I know it will be over all too soon and I will miss these crazy days.

 

 

Posted by

Heather Garcia