Back to school 2023

We started co-op last week. I got our traditional back to school photos – a month after we started at home, but on the day that we finally made it to go-op. Illness prevented our first day the week before. Without further ado, this year’s stats:

Lach is 2, went into his class at co-op surprisingly easy and without tears, and rapidly expanding his vocabulary these days. He loves tractors and classic Batman tv shows, swimming, and climbing – this boy has no fears.

Creed is 3, also went to his class at co-op without looking back, and came home talking about how he’s the second tallest in his class. Being tall is one thing my kids don’t do early on, so Creed’s pretty proud of himself for his height. He loves tractors and dirt and motors. He’s getting a new bike today and his request is that it has a throttle. Not sure that’s going to happen, buddy! Creed is a pro snuggler and the biggest mess maker, and he knows it. He keeps life interesting here!

Stellan is 7, working on the 2nd grade except for math – that one he’s in 4th. Crazy kid. He reads everything, memorizes like it’s easy, and takes good care of the animals outside. His major goal in life is to keep up with his older brothers.

Elliot is 9, working on the 4th grade. She can almost always be found with a book, maybe three. One would never want to be caught without something to read, after all. Elliot loves to help in the kitchen, loves our rabbits dearly, and is happiest in a fancy dress. She regularly talks her siblings into having tea with her.

Pierce is almost 12, in 7th grade, and my right hand for all the hard things. He’s great at making sure the animals are well cared for outside, handy at fixing things, and makes it his personal challenge to keep up with his chores in the house better than whomever had the job the month before. I’m always grateful for his efforts – but never more so than when he’s on laundry!

Charlotte is 13 next week, and in 8th grade. She is the babies’ favorite, hands down, after momma. She always shakes her head, not sure why they like her so much, but we all know why. She’s going to make a fantastic mother some day. In the meantime, she loves books, baking, drawing, and sewing and has yet to meet a craft she didn’t enjoy or excel at.

Ruby just turned 15, and is a sophomore. She’s the ruler of the kitchen, making supper most nights and baking often. She loves to read and play harmonica and pick flowers. There’s almost a bouquet on the table from one of Ruby’s ventures into the woods.

Sterling is 16, a junior, freshly licensed to drive alone, and working the better part of full time most weeks for a neighboring small engine repair shop. He’s great at fixing motors, bought himself a 1987 Ford F150 stick shift pickup that he’s got running and is feeling new freedoms with that. He hunts, fishes, traps, and is happiest outdoors.

That’s my lineup for homeschool this year. All in school are independent readers. That’s a huge help. We started a new co-op that I think will be good. Kids are taking economics, literature, logic and critical thinking, etc there and enjoyed their first week. I’m teaching sewing. Hopefully it’s a good way to meet people in the community and make some new friends.