I am a foodie. I love food and I love to eat. I am also raising two young bodies who are quite healthy, eat well, and know how to make good choices regarding food and nutrition. I'm not saying they always exercise good decision-making skills, but they are at least able to identify the healthier choices!
As such, I particularly enjoyed the last 2.5 years we spent living in Portland, Oregon. The Pacific Northwest's culture includes a focus on green living, sustainable farming, buying local and so on. Not to say everyone buys into it, but I fell for it hook, line and sinker - and I loved it! We enjoyed raw milk, the best lemon custard you can imagine, fabulous kombucha, grass-fed beef, eggs, poultry and more from Kookoolan Farms in Yamhill, OR. Seriously, I couldn't recommend them, their food, or their farming philosophy more highly. We joined the Cellar Club at Ponzi Vineyards, less than one mile from our home, and enjoyed other local wines at the plethora of vineyards throughout the Willamette Valley as often as possible. We enjoyed Beaverton Farmer's Market, and myriad similar Portlandesque green/local/organic/sustainable/yadda yadda experiences.
And what's funny is, I haven't even started talking about what living in Alaska does for one's awareness of food, where it comes from, and how it is grown, packaged and stored. Suffice it to say, we were fortunate to indulge in fresh, wild protein sources including salmon, moose, and halibut, almost exclusively. We have made good food a part of our lifestyle as much as we can afford to!
So here we are in Hawaii. TDH has been reading about spear fishing (very different from his Alaskan fishing ventures, but still holds plenty of intrigue for him). We do not yet have a stable home, so I have no access to my gardening supplies and am not eager to get a garden or any containers started "temporarily", so we just have to move them or leave them... But I am definitely committed to purchasing fresh, local produce, wild-caught local fish, and supporting Hawaiian individuals and businesses who strengthen or further the cause.
For now, our family has elected to live on the leeward side of Oahu. I recently learned that there is a weekly "green and farmer's market" nearby. Hosted by Malama Learning Center at Kapolei High School is the Makeke Kapolei, Thursdays from 3pm-6:30pm.
We attended the market yesterday for the first time, following an afternoon of wave-jumping with Waddles and Hopper while TDH surfed. We took our goodies home, grilled up a delicious meal of blue marlin, corn on the cob, and a green salad made with tomatoes and cucumbers. We filled the fridge with plenty more fruit (including pineapples, bananas, papayas, and honey dew melon) and made a promise to ourselves to return weekly. Other items we took home included fromage blanc from the Naked Cow Dairy and Coconut Peanut Butter and Hibiscus Flower Honey from North Shore Goodies.
In addition to the meat, dairy, produce, plants and even some vendor booths offering delicious smelling cooked items, the Makeke Kapolei offers an opportunity to learn about the Hawaiian culture. Activities will vary from week to week, but yesterday the kids participated in traditional games and crafts. By the time we left, they had made new friends, learned ways to entertain themselves using things they can find outdoors on the islands, and increased their understanding of the Hawaiian culture.
Needless to say, we can purchase more food for less money at the Navy Commissary. We will, however, follow our goals for a healthy lifestyle, to eat locally, and to learn more about the environment and our surroundings by attending this market and enjoying the many things it has to offer.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
What's Her Motivation?
My biggest challenge with homeschooling right now - surprising, perhaps, to those of you who know her - is Hopper. She complains. She puts on a terrible, grumpy face and says, "Why do we have to do work?" Nevermind the fact that she is very smart, capable, and can get through all her work in less than no time! She simply lacks motivation to do anything other than what SHE wants to do.
By and large, Hopper is a gem, a jewel, my sweet, loving, cuddly girl and constant, committed companion to Waddles. She is kind, considerate, and respectful - a good friend to all. She also comes with a significant dose of willfulness and determination. I am grateful for this - I know it is important that she be able to put her foot down and succesfully hold her ground. As a parent, however, it is also important to make sure she knows if and when she is stepping on the wrong toes....
For example, Hopper was 2 years old when I used the go-to parenting threat of the holiday season: "Do as you were told or Santa won't bring you a new doll." She looked me in the eye and said, "I don't need Santa to bring me a new doll. I already have dolls." Last year, she attended kindergarten at a wonderful school and had a loving teacher and friends whom she looked forward to playing with. Nevertheless, several mornings each week, she would come to my room, ask if it was a school day and run back to her bed in an angry huff when I told her it was. She would begrudgingly dress herself, then sit through breakfast with her pouty face and ask, "Is tomorrow a school day, too? Ugh! I wish it was a day off and I could do what I want!" She can entertain herself independently for hours, as long as she is doing what SHE wants to do.
Much to my dismay, Hopper has greeted several homeschool mornings with this sort of bad attitude - not in the mood to do anything other than what she wants to do. "This is boring. Why do we have to do work?" I took it very personally at first, then eventually (with reminders and encouragement from TDH) remembered that this is not new behavior. It is not unique to homeschooling and therefore not strictly a result of my curriculum choices, the way I present the material, etc. Okay then, we can proceed with our plan...
So far, after gentle prodding, followed by several stern looks as necessary, then a few threats, and only once, being sent to her room and told to return when she had fixed her attitude, Hopper gets on board and settles into the routine. By the end of each session, she admits that it was "not so bad". The math was kinda fun, the handwriting was kinda like artwork, etc. However, I have set my own expectations for our homeschool experiences above "not so bad".
Waddles, two years older and wired completely differently, has complained very little and does not lack motivation. He has three years of school under his belt and a better perspective on the value of education and how it will help him do the things he wants to do. Waddles has very different hurdles to overcome, and we continue to work together to help him succeed.
I believe Hopper has astronomical potential, and I am eager to help her transition into a willing learner, too. My challenge is to give her perspective on how she can use knowledge to enhance her life, the activities she chooses to participate in, and the future she envisions for herself. I need to get creative and exercise one of the many advantages of homeschooling - tailoring the plan to meet the needs of the individual learner.
Hopper is a sucker for sweets and according to several sources, cooking is a great tool for homeschoolers. Shall we bake a cake?
By and large, Hopper is a gem, a jewel, my sweet, loving, cuddly girl and constant, committed companion to Waddles. She is kind, considerate, and respectful - a good friend to all. She also comes with a significant dose of willfulness and determination. I am grateful for this - I know it is important that she be able to put her foot down and succesfully hold her ground. As a parent, however, it is also important to make sure she knows if and when she is stepping on the wrong toes....
For example, Hopper was 2 years old when I used the go-to parenting threat of the holiday season: "Do as you were told or Santa won't bring you a new doll." She looked me in the eye and said, "I don't need Santa to bring me a new doll. I already have dolls." Last year, she attended kindergarten at a wonderful school and had a loving teacher and friends whom she looked forward to playing with. Nevertheless, several mornings each week, she would come to my room, ask if it was a school day and run back to her bed in an angry huff when I told her it was. She would begrudgingly dress herself, then sit through breakfast with her pouty face and ask, "Is tomorrow a school day, too? Ugh! I wish it was a day off and I could do what I want!" She can entertain herself independently for hours, as long as she is doing what SHE wants to do.
Much to my dismay, Hopper has greeted several homeschool mornings with this sort of bad attitude - not in the mood to do anything other than what she wants to do. "This is boring. Why do we have to do work?" I took it very personally at first, then eventually (with reminders and encouragement from TDH) remembered that this is not new behavior. It is not unique to homeschooling and therefore not strictly a result of my curriculum choices, the way I present the material, etc. Okay then, we can proceed with our plan...
So far, after gentle prodding, followed by several stern looks as necessary, then a few threats, and only once, being sent to her room and told to return when she had fixed her attitude, Hopper gets on board and settles into the routine. By the end of each session, she admits that it was "not so bad". The math was kinda fun, the handwriting was kinda like artwork, etc. However, I have set my own expectations for our homeschool experiences above "not so bad".
Waddles, two years older and wired completely differently, has complained very little and does not lack motivation. He has three years of school under his belt and a better perspective on the value of education and how it will help him do the things he wants to do. Waddles has very different hurdles to overcome, and we continue to work together to help him succeed.
I believe Hopper has astronomical potential, and I am eager to help her transition into a willing learner, too. My challenge is to give her perspective on how she can use knowledge to enhance her life, the activities she chooses to participate in, and the future she envisions for herself. I need to get creative and exercise one of the many advantages of homeschooling - tailoring the plan to meet the needs of the individual learner.
Hopper is a sucker for sweets and according to several sources, cooking is a great tool for homeschoolers. Shall we bake a cake?
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Freedom, Fresh Air and Time
I love books. I have been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. I have an ever-growing list of favorites and always wish for more time in the day to sit down with a good book and lose myself in it. I love to read at the beach, at the pool, in bed before I fall asleep, on a cold day in front of a crackling fire, next to the window on a rainy day, by headlamp in a tent, you name it. When Waddles and Hopper ask me what my favorite thing to do is, "Read", I say.
Reading came easy to me. I would have to confirm this with my mother, but I was practically born reading. According to TDH, however, reading did not come naturally to him. In fact, he didn't read for pleasure, or by choice, until roughly 2 years ago. And he still prefers to be read to. He subscribes to Audible and can be found listening to books anytime of day, any day he is not working. He consumes an enormous quantity of books this way. It cannot be argued that he, too, loves books!
That being said, one of the driving reasons for us to begin homeschooling this year was that Waddles struggles to read. It is surely not due to a lack of interest. He shares our love of books, and he will listen for hours on end when he is being read to (like his father). He won't necessarily sit still during those hours (again, like his father - TDH gets a LOT done while he listens to audiobooks), but Waddles never misses a word and his comprehension is truly out of this world.
The fact remains that when he reads it is painfully slow and full of inaccuracies (e.g. he reads "what" instead of "that"). He has to sound out many words and has limited recall of any words he previously sounded out. He skips lines and becomes increasingly frustrated as the number of words on a page increases. He was barreling toward 3rd grade with all those "reading-to-learners", but he was still learning to read.
"Have you had him tested?", you may ask. Yes, we have. The pertinent question TDH and I began to ask ourselves was, "How much and to what end?". During 1st grade, Waddles was diagnosed with visual learning disabilities. We followed the prescribed 12-week vision therapy program and saw improvement. Nevertheless, through 2nd grade he remained below the expected reading level. I will spare the details of many conversations with teachers, optometrists, an occupational therapist who prescribed another several month long program to help eliminate (related/unrelated) "movement seeker" behaviors, etc. Suffice it to say, we were receiving feedback from multiple sources that Waddles was having difficulty fitting into the classroom.
Last Spring, he came home from school several times with those words - "I can't do it" and "I'm not smart enough". I know neither of these statements is true, but I also know that the likelihood for him to feel increasingly inferior and incapable of meeting expectations was a guarantee.
TDH and I reached our conclusion to remove Waddles from traditional schooling and teach him at home in a way that works better for him. I admit, I want many things from this choice. Part of what I seek most is the opportunity to allow for Waddles' reading skills to develop without sacrificing content or complexity of material and without causing him to develop the sense that he is "stupid". I have no doubt his reading skills will catch up, but I don't want that need for more time to stand in the way of his ability and desire to absorb substantial amounts of information and to satisfy his thirst for knowledge.
With this in mind, it thrills me to say that our first official day of homeschooling was spent reading. It was a packing/moving day back in Oregon. TDH and I opted to divide and conquer, as we often do. He stayed at the house with Audible playing in his ears while the kids and I skipped off to a large, open field at McMenamins Grand Lodge . We found a spot under the shade of a large tree and began reading The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. I read while they listened, for hours. They begged me to continue from chapter to chapter, they inquired about the plot and characters throughout, and I occasionally quizzed them to ensure they were not only paying attention but actually "getting it". We read all day long, shifted to a picnic table for lunch, enjoyed a few chapters at bedtime, and so on. We finished the book in 2 days. I even rested my head in Waddles' lap for part of the time. It was magical - we were blessed with freedom, fresh air, and time. It was just what we needed to get started on our flavor of homeschooling.
When we arrived in Hawaii, it was time to choose a new book to read. I exercised my hard-to-define and impossible-to-repeat approach to book selection. In doing so, we discovered Calvin Coconut by Graham Salisbury. I can't say enough about how much we are enjoying reading these books together as a family.
Calvin Coconut is a boy about Waddles' age who frequently, through little fault of his own, gets into what Waddles calls "funny trouble". He has a younger sister, Darci, about the same age as Hopper. This sibling relationship is key to my enjoyment of the books because it reflects that of Waddles and Hopper in their mutual support and obvious love for each other. Calvin experiences some lessons in life - bullying, divorce, and making new friends for example. These books offer a way for us to discuss these challenges in a safe and low-stress context. In fact, this post may have just been a really long way of saying if you're looking for a fun book for your kids to read, or to read to your kids, I strongly recommend Calvin Coconut!
Who knows what we will read next, but for now I am happy to say that reading together is a large part of our homeschool curriculum. I look forward to rereading several of my old favorites as well as selecting new books. All we need is a little freedom, fresh air and time. I am grateful that our new way of life permits just that, so we may enjoy this and countless more educational activities stress-free, considering that our experiences over the past three years have been anything but!
Reading came easy to me. I would have to confirm this with my mother, but I was practically born reading. According to TDH, however, reading did not come naturally to him. In fact, he didn't read for pleasure, or by choice, until roughly 2 years ago. And he still prefers to be read to. He subscribes to Audible and can be found listening to books anytime of day, any day he is not working. He consumes an enormous quantity of books this way. It cannot be argued that he, too, loves books!
That being said, one of the driving reasons for us to begin homeschooling this year was that Waddles struggles to read. It is surely not due to a lack of interest. He shares our love of books, and he will listen for hours on end when he is being read to (like his father). He won't necessarily sit still during those hours (again, like his father - TDH gets a LOT done while he listens to audiobooks), but Waddles never misses a word and his comprehension is truly out of this world.
The fact remains that when he reads it is painfully slow and full of inaccuracies (e.g. he reads "what" instead of "that"). He has to sound out many words and has limited recall of any words he previously sounded out. He skips lines and becomes increasingly frustrated as the number of words on a page increases. He was barreling toward 3rd grade with all those "reading-to-learners", but he was still learning to read.
"Have you had him tested?", you may ask. Yes, we have. The pertinent question TDH and I began to ask ourselves was, "How much and to what end?". During 1st grade, Waddles was diagnosed with visual learning disabilities. We followed the prescribed 12-week vision therapy program and saw improvement. Nevertheless, through 2nd grade he remained below the expected reading level. I will spare the details of many conversations with teachers, optometrists, an occupational therapist who prescribed another several month long program to help eliminate (related/unrelated) "movement seeker" behaviors, etc. Suffice it to say, we were receiving feedback from multiple sources that Waddles was having difficulty fitting into the classroom.
Last Spring, he came home from school several times with those words - "I can't do it" and "I'm not smart enough". I know neither of these statements is true, but I also know that the likelihood for him to feel increasingly inferior and incapable of meeting expectations was a guarantee.
TDH and I reached our conclusion to remove Waddles from traditional schooling and teach him at home in a way that works better for him. I admit, I want many things from this choice. Part of what I seek most is the opportunity to allow for Waddles' reading skills to develop without sacrificing content or complexity of material and without causing him to develop the sense that he is "stupid". I have no doubt his reading skills will catch up, but I don't want that need for more time to stand in the way of his ability and desire to absorb substantial amounts of information and to satisfy his thirst for knowledge.
With this in mind, it thrills me to say that our first official day of homeschooling was spent reading. It was a packing/moving day back in Oregon. TDH and I opted to divide and conquer, as we often do. He stayed at the house with Audible playing in his ears while the kids and I skipped off to a large, open field at McMenamins Grand Lodge . We found a spot under the shade of a large tree and began reading The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. I read while they listened, for hours. They begged me to continue from chapter to chapter, they inquired about the plot and characters throughout, and I occasionally quizzed them to ensure they were not only paying attention but actually "getting it". We read all day long, shifted to a picnic table for lunch, enjoyed a few chapters at bedtime, and so on. We finished the book in 2 days. I even rested my head in Waddles' lap for part of the time. It was magical - we were blessed with freedom, fresh air, and time. It was just what we needed to get started on our flavor of homeschooling.
When we arrived in Hawaii, it was time to choose a new book to read. I exercised my hard-to-define and impossible-to-repeat approach to book selection. In doing so, we discovered Calvin Coconut by Graham Salisbury. I can't say enough about how much we are enjoying reading these books together as a family.
Calvin Coconut is a boy about Waddles' age who frequently, through little fault of his own, gets into what Waddles calls "funny trouble". He has a younger sister, Darci, about the same age as Hopper. This sibling relationship is key to my enjoyment of the books because it reflects that of Waddles and Hopper in their mutual support and obvious love for each other. Calvin experiences some lessons in life - bullying, divorce, and making new friends for example. These books offer a way for us to discuss these challenges in a safe and low-stress context. In fact, this post may have just been a really long way of saying if you're looking for a fun book for your kids to read, or to read to your kids, I strongly recommend Calvin Coconut!
Who knows what we will read next, but for now I am happy to say that reading together is a large part of our homeschool curriculum. I look forward to rereading several of my old favorites as well as selecting new books. All we need is a little freedom, fresh air and time. I am grateful that our new way of life permits just that, so we may enjoy this and countless more educational activities stress-free, considering that our experiences over the past three years have been anything but!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Homeschool Planning and Materials
I am definitely a can't-see-the-forest-through-the-trees kinda person (you may have picked up on this by the way my stories meander along with various side-tracks). So once we made the decision to homeschool, I got a little bogged down by details: how, when and where to start; what subjects to teach; what materials to use; how many hours per day/days per week to teach; what extra-curricular activities to sign-up for; on and on.
One of the many ways in which TDH complements me is his ability to create order out of chaos at times like these. My getting bogged down by details is a perfect opportunity for him to perform triage (it's ok - he is a professional). He swoops in, sorts and prioritizes action items, and then we can proceed efficiently. I would love to suggest that I have my own orderly approach to problems, but I have learned to accept this limitation and TDH loves me anyway.
The process typically begins with TDH throwing several of the items I consider to be critically important completely out the window. I often feel discouraged or hurt, observing that many concerns do not receive adequate consideration. With time, I begin to see the plan emerging. Tedious details are sloughed off my shoulders and at last I am able to focus on important first steps.. And so it has been for many an undertaking, from organizing cluttered playrooms and computer desks to arranging a move to the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Having applied that process to homeschooling a few months ago, TDH chiseled out a simple plan. The first step was to select teaching materials. I had so much fun - more than I anticipated by far - with this task! I felt like a kid in a candy store. Of course, I also spent money like a high roller in Vegas! I am certain that more seasoned homeschoolers are laughing now at my expense, calling me an Amateur. Hopefully, I will gradually learn the art of thrifty homeschooling. I'm not holding my breath, though - neither TDH or I are known for being particularly thrifty...
Anyway, I used the internet, advice and recommendations from friends, and my own criteria including Waddles and Hoppers' unique learning styles and academic needs as well as my own personal preferences and gut feelings. In other words, I did not apply any hard and fast rules to selecting materials. I got what I wanted when I wanted it, and will add to it as I see fit. I LOVE this freedom!
Our homeschooling curriculum includes:
1. McRuffy Math
2. Language Arts: Michael Clay Thompson's Elementary Program
3. Handwriting Without Tears
4. Reading - all the books can stand and more
5. Writing journal - Waddles and Hopper are responsible for keeping a journal of stories, observations, questions, things they have learned - you name it! It is a low pressure, free-writing activity.
The next step was to create goals for our homeschool. Also free to evolve, the goals look something like this:
1. Build a strong foundation in the basics of reading, writing and math
2. Encourage the kids to shape their experiences by defining and exploring additional subjects of interest to them
3. Engage in physical activity every day
4. Allow plenty of opportunities for imaginative play and free-time
5. Create and maintain a positive learning environment
6. Demonstrate and emphasize the importance of a strong work ethic
7. Be flexible and willing to adapt to changes involved in moving from traditional to home schooling
8. Have fun!
This is our plan, for the most part. Plenty of material to start with, and plenty of room for refinement as we learn about homeschooling and ourselves. An adventure lies ahead!
One of the many ways in which TDH complements me is his ability to create order out of chaos at times like these. My getting bogged down by details is a perfect opportunity for him to perform triage (it's ok - he is a professional). He swoops in, sorts and prioritizes action items, and then we can proceed efficiently. I would love to suggest that I have my own orderly approach to problems, but I have learned to accept this limitation and TDH loves me anyway.
The process typically begins with TDH throwing several of the items I consider to be critically important completely out the window. I often feel discouraged or hurt, observing that many concerns do not receive adequate consideration. With time, I begin to see the plan emerging. Tedious details are sloughed off my shoulders and at last I am able to focus on important first steps.. And so it has been for many an undertaking, from organizing cluttered playrooms and computer desks to arranging a move to the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Having applied that process to homeschooling a few months ago, TDH chiseled out a simple plan. The first step was to select teaching materials. I had so much fun - more than I anticipated by far - with this task! I felt like a kid in a candy store. Of course, I also spent money like a high roller in Vegas! I am certain that more seasoned homeschoolers are laughing now at my expense, calling me an Amateur. Hopefully, I will gradually learn the art of thrifty homeschooling. I'm not holding my breath, though - neither TDH or I are known for being particularly thrifty...
Anyway, I used the internet, advice and recommendations from friends, and my own criteria including Waddles and Hoppers' unique learning styles and academic needs as well as my own personal preferences and gut feelings. In other words, I did not apply any hard and fast rules to selecting materials. I got what I wanted when I wanted it, and will add to it as I see fit. I LOVE this freedom!
Our homeschooling curriculum includes:
1. McRuffy Math
2. Language Arts: Michael Clay Thompson's Elementary Program
3. Handwriting Without Tears
4. Reading - all the books can stand and more
5. Writing journal - Waddles and Hopper are responsible for keeping a journal of stories, observations, questions, things they have learned - you name it! It is a low pressure, free-writing activity.
The next step was to create goals for our homeschool. Also free to evolve, the goals look something like this:
1. Build a strong foundation in the basics of reading, writing and math
2. Encourage the kids to shape their experiences by defining and exploring additional subjects of interest to them
3. Engage in physical activity every day
4. Allow plenty of opportunities for imaginative play and free-time
5. Create and maintain a positive learning environment
6. Demonstrate and emphasize the importance of a strong work ethic
7. Be flexible and willing to adapt to changes involved in moving from traditional to home schooling
8. Have fun!
This is our plan, for the most part. Plenty of material to start with, and plenty of room for refinement as we learn about homeschooling and ourselves. An adventure lies ahead!
Saturday, August 25, 2012
What If Summer Doesn't End?
It's that time of year again. The leaves are turning red, yellow and orange; mornings feel crisp - there's a chill in the air; friends are Facebooking about school supply shopping and the smell of crayons, sharing pictures of their kids heading off on the first day of school; and Labor Day is around the corner, signaling the end of summer.
But not for us. It's different this year - and not just the part about the leaves. We live in the land of perpetual summer, so the sun felt as warm today as it will in December. We will snorkel then, too - or free-dive, in Hopper's case (she hates the snorkel, but holds her breath and dives down to the coral like a fish).
The biggest difference is that this year my kids aren't heading off to school.
But it can't be all fun and games (or sunshine and coconuts), right?
Right.
As I mentioned in previous posts, we are taking on homeschooling as part of our move to Hawaii. The decision to homeschool was a long-time coming, and not by any means made lightly. I am perpetually filled with self-doubt, so at the heart of any hesitation to homeschool was my sense that I wasn't good enough for the job. TDH pointed out the sacrifice in "me" time and the work I would have to put into planning and executing. These things didn't bother me. I was simply paralyzed by concern over whether or not I could offer my kids what they need to reach their full potential...
But for me, that concern applies to every aspect of parenting.
TDH was not at all troubled by this - he believes in me, in us, and remains confident that the 2:1 student:teacher ratio is bound to provide a sufficient learning environment for Waddles and Hopper. I should mention that Waddles, in particular, always required close monitoring to stay on task during homework and schoolwork (no doubt his K-2nd grade teachers would confirm). Elaboration on this is sure to come...
So here we are, jumping in with 8 feet.
I do not presume to know what is right for any other family. I do not suggest that my personal choices should apply to anyone else. Ours was a decision permitted by and as a direct result of my familys' unique circumstances. From here on out, I simply offer to share my own experiences, and those of my family, related to our homeschooling.
So read on if you wish, commiserate if you please, and share your own stories if you so desire. Starting...tomorrow... Yes, I'll begin to write about what we are actually doing starting tomorrow. Because, strangely, determining how best to write this post (then writing it) has been a challenge!
But not for us. It's different this year - and not just the part about the leaves. We live in the land of perpetual summer, so the sun felt as warm today as it will in December. We will snorkel then, too - or free-dive, in Hopper's case (she hates the snorkel, but holds her breath and dives down to the coral like a fish).
The biggest difference is that this year my kids aren't heading off to school.
But it can't be all fun and games (or sunshine and coconuts), right?
Right.
As I mentioned in previous posts, we are taking on homeschooling as part of our move to Hawaii. The decision to homeschool was a long-time coming, and not by any means made lightly. I am perpetually filled with self-doubt, so at the heart of any hesitation to homeschool was my sense that I wasn't good enough for the job. TDH pointed out the sacrifice in "me" time and the work I would have to put into planning and executing. These things didn't bother me. I was simply paralyzed by concern over whether or not I could offer my kids what they need to reach their full potential...
But for me, that concern applies to every aspect of parenting.
TDH was not at all troubled by this - he believes in me, in us, and remains confident that the 2:1 student:teacher ratio is bound to provide a sufficient learning environment for Waddles and Hopper. I should mention that Waddles, in particular, always required close monitoring to stay on task during homework and schoolwork (no doubt his K-2nd grade teachers would confirm). Elaboration on this is sure to come...
So here we are, jumping in with 8 feet.
I do not presume to know what is right for any other family. I do not suggest that my personal choices should apply to anyone else. Ours was a decision permitted by and as a direct result of my familys' unique circumstances. From here on out, I simply offer to share my own experiences, and those of my family, related to our homeschooling.
So read on if you wish, commiserate if you please, and share your own stories if you so desire. Starting...tomorrow... Yes, I'll begin to write about what we are actually doing starting tomorrow. Because, strangely, determining how best to write this post (then writing it) has been a challenge!
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Secret Beach
On August 18th we moved. Again (that makes 7 new "homes" in 25 days).
But damn, was it worth it! In fact, it seems like it just keeps getting better!
Our home for the next 5 nights is a very nice, spacious 2 bedroom condo at Kai Lani in Ko Olina. Upon arrival, we unpacked and lunched (I told myself I'd never use that word - see how happy I am? I don't even care that I just used a stupid word!), then sunscreened up and headed out to our "secret beach". Well, not ours. It's what they call the beach residents can walk to from Kai Lani.
Okay, so it is a Saturday in August and we are on Oahu. One would assume there is not a spot on the island that isn't swarming with people. Wrong! Wrong, wrong, wrong! (Sometimes it just feels good to repeat that as a mom of an 8 and 6 year old...I think I may have even stamped my foot a little).
We walked out our door and made our way along the rocky coastline to several small beaches, and none of them were crowded. On our way, we passed one of the largest, most magical trees I have ever seen. Standing underneath it, I imagined I was under the Swiss Family Robinson's tree! We would have been safe and dry in a tropical rainstorm, no doubt.
We picked our way carefully over the coral and sandstone rocks above the ocean, enjoying the crashing waves and sea spray, for about 45 minutes. When we arrived at our snorkeling spot, we were thrilled to find 3 sea turtles had chosen to spend their day in the same lagoon. Several times, as I was minding my business watching brightly-colored fish, I was startled to see one of the turtles within a few feet of me! I swam alongside one for several minutes, just hanging out with him while he "lunched" on the rocks. Several times, we came up for air together - no more than 3 feet between us! This was closer than I have ever been before to a sea turtle in the wild. They are so graceful in the water - so peaceful to watch.
TDH and I then snorkeled around together when the kids were ready for a break. This was a rare treat! Usually we have to "divide and conquer" - one of us stays with the kids while the other explores. However, "Secret Beach" was so well protected that we indulged ourselves. Together, we swam with 2 more honus, then we swam up onto a rock about 6 feet from the beauties while they sunbathed on their own rock, side-by-side.
We eventually walked on to yet another quiet beach where we came within 8 feet of a monk seal. We observed, respectfully, while she sunbathed on the slope of the beach. The waves lapped her back and she rubbed the sand on her belly with her fin, occasionally drawing deep breaths through her diamond-shaped nostrils (I thought that was really cool). Waddles and Hopper asked questions about the creatures we had seen and the environment around us. Our adventures inspired discussions about the tropics, how the monk seal might defend herself if she felt threatened by humans encroaching her, and more.
It was beautiful and humbling to be permitted to coexist with these magnificent sea creatures. Nothing man-made, no performance time, no admission tickets, parking fees or snack bars with turtle-shaped soft pretzels. This was the real thing - we were the outsiders, we all learned so much, and I loved every minute of it!
But damn, was it worth it! In fact, it seems like it just keeps getting better!
Our home for the next 5 nights is a very nice, spacious 2 bedroom condo at Kai Lani in Ko Olina. Upon arrival, we unpacked and lunched (I told myself I'd never use that word - see how happy I am? I don't even care that I just used a stupid word!), then sunscreened up and headed out to our "secret beach". Well, not ours. It's what they call the beach residents can walk to from Kai Lani.
Okay, so it is a Saturday in August and we are on Oahu. One would assume there is not a spot on the island that isn't swarming with people. Wrong! Wrong, wrong, wrong! (Sometimes it just feels good to repeat that as a mom of an 8 and 6 year old...I think I may have even stamped my foot a little).
We walked out our door and made our way along the rocky coastline to several small beaches, and none of them were crowded. On our way, we passed one of the largest, most magical trees I have ever seen. Standing underneath it, I imagined I was under the Swiss Family Robinson's tree! We would have been safe and dry in a tropical rainstorm, no doubt.
We picked our way carefully over the coral and sandstone rocks above the ocean, enjoying the crashing waves and sea spray, for about 45 minutes. When we arrived at our snorkeling spot, we were thrilled to find 3 sea turtles had chosen to spend their day in the same lagoon. Several times, as I was minding my business watching brightly-colored fish, I was startled to see one of the turtles within a few feet of me! I swam alongside one for several minutes, just hanging out with him while he "lunched" on the rocks. Several times, we came up for air together - no more than 3 feet between us! This was closer than I have ever been before to a sea turtle in the wild. They are so graceful in the water - so peaceful to watch.
TDH and I then snorkeled around together when the kids were ready for a break. This was a rare treat! Usually we have to "divide and conquer" - one of us stays with the kids while the other explores. However, "Secret Beach" was so well protected that we indulged ourselves. Together, we swam with 2 more honus, then we swam up onto a rock about 6 feet from the beauties while they sunbathed on their own rock, side-by-side.
We eventually walked on to yet another quiet beach where we came within 8 feet of a monk seal. We observed, respectfully, while she sunbathed on the slope of the beach. The waves lapped her back and she rubbed the sand on her belly with her fin, occasionally drawing deep breaths through her diamond-shaped nostrils (I thought that was really cool). Waddles and Hopper asked questions about the creatures we had seen and the environment around us. Our adventures inspired discussions about the tropics, how the monk seal might defend herself if she felt threatened by humans encroaching her, and more.
It was beautiful and humbling to be permitted to coexist with these magnificent sea creatures. Nothing man-made, no performance time, no admission tickets, parking fees or snack bars with turtle-shaped soft pretzels. This was the real thing - we were the outsiders, we all learned so much, and I loved every minute of it!
Sunday, August 19, 2012
The Honeymoon Period
We have been living in Hawaii for almost one month. I thought it would be a good idea to record some of my initial impressions about living here before we become so settled that I have trouble recollecting them.... I am not suggesting that the layers of turquoise and blue in the ocean will ever NOT be breathtaking, or that the pleasant breeze, flowering trees and scent of plumeria will eventually go unnoticed. I am ever-so-hopeful that we never become hardened to the exquisiteness of the Hawaiian Islands. But, for fun and posterity, I want to capture my early thoughts while I am still experiencing the "newness" of it all. Just in case...
We arrived late at night on July 27, 2012, collected our luggage, rented a car, found our way to our hotel in Waikiki, and crashed for the night. Early the next morning, I heard music. Hawaiian music. A man and his ukulele. Clearly. It sounded like it was coming from our lanai...We were very fortunate to have been upgraded to an oceanview room - but we were still on the 15th floor, and our sliding door was closed. So this would be impossible, right? Keep in mind, I was very groggy from a short night's sleep and may have considered it possible momentarily.
Curiosity overcame grogginess, so I walked to the sliding doors, opened the curtains, and looked out onto Waikiki beach. I thought it must have been midday. Runners, shoppers, and a crowd of tourists and sightseers covered the beach. Surfers speckled the ocean. And, to my astonishment, a man stood amidst the hustle singing and playing his ukelele live onstage. Surreally, we had been awakened by the beautiful music of the Islands. Days start early and in full-swing in Hawaii (Carpe Diem), and we had just gotten off to a really great start of our own!
The next observation that struck me right away was how the adults here are having just as much fun as the kids! Up and down the beaches adults are running into the ocean, jumping in the waves, giddy, rolling around in the water, and coming up sputtering and laughing! With a smile on my own face, I watched a grown man step out of the ocean and lay flat on his back in the warm, dry sand. He spread his arms and legs out as if to make a snow angel, then he took a moment to absorb and breathe in the pleasures and sensations. He then began burying himself in the sand. Just because. And he was happy.
My daughter finds the teensiest, tiniest, most beautiful little seashells, and she loves doing it! To Hopper, the tinier the better. Most of us would overlook them, assuming they are all broken or crushed up pieces of larger shells. I am continually amazed by the perfect little treasures she brings to me.
Dragonfruit is really tasty and fun to eat.
I love to eat and live to be outside. Put them together - wow!
I should indulge in at least one dip in the ocean every day. Being in the ocean is invigorating and makes me feel like a kid again. Playing with my kids in the ocean helps me feel happy, healthy, connected, and overwhelmed with the potential for our new life!
We arrived late at night on July 27, 2012, collected our luggage, rented a car, found our way to our hotel in Waikiki, and crashed for the night. Early the next morning, I heard music. Hawaiian music. A man and his ukulele. Clearly. It sounded like it was coming from our lanai...We were very fortunate to have been upgraded to an oceanview room - but we were still on the 15th floor, and our sliding door was closed. So this would be impossible, right? Keep in mind, I was very groggy from a short night's sleep and may have considered it possible momentarily.
Curiosity overcame grogginess, so I walked to the sliding doors, opened the curtains, and looked out onto Waikiki beach. I thought it must have been midday. Runners, shoppers, and a crowd of tourists and sightseers covered the beach. Surfers speckled the ocean. And, to my astonishment, a man stood amidst the hustle singing and playing his ukelele live onstage. Surreally, we had been awakened by the beautiful music of the Islands. Days start early and in full-swing in Hawaii (Carpe Diem), and we had just gotten off to a really great start of our own!
The next observation that struck me right away was how the adults here are having just as much fun as the kids! Up and down the beaches adults are running into the ocean, jumping in the waves, giddy, rolling around in the water, and coming up sputtering and laughing! With a smile on my own face, I watched a grown man step out of the ocean and lay flat on his back in the warm, dry sand. He spread his arms and legs out as if to make a snow angel, then he took a moment to absorb and breathe in the pleasures and sensations. He then began burying himself in the sand. Just because. And he was happy.
My daughter finds the teensiest, tiniest, most beautiful little seashells, and she loves doing it! To Hopper, the tinier the better. Most of us would overlook them, assuming they are all broken or crushed up pieces of larger shells. I am continually amazed by the perfect little treasures she brings to me.
Dragonfruit is really tasty and fun to eat.
I love to eat and live to be outside. Put them together - wow!
I should indulge in at least one dip in the ocean every day. Being in the ocean is invigorating and makes me feel like a kid again. Playing with my kids in the ocean helps me feel happy, healthy, connected, and overwhelmed with the potential for our new life!
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