And Running Reminds Me

Happy to be setting a new personal record in the half marathon!

Although I love many people and am blessed by all the roles I am allowed to play-- including silly Diva at this half marathon last weekend (couldn't bring myself to wear the offered tutu!), it is good to occassionally remind myself that I am more than these roles. Running reminds me.

Perhaps my need to run is less about physical accomplishment and weightloss than I think.  Maybe this deep desire to run exists as a reminder that I exist separately from my sometimes overwhelming roles as wife, mother, daughter, judge, dog walker, taxi service, writing teacher, homeschool teacher, and yoga instructor. 

Who I am on the outside changes over time.  The body and face in these pictures is nearly unrecognizable to me.  Who I am changes on the inside, too-- I am not the same person now that I was five (or 47!) years ago.  Yet deep within-- the soul resides at peace within this stream of changes-- and running reminds me.

On the Road to Find Out

Racing myself to the finish line
of the Hotlanta Half Marathon last Sunday.

I hear so many people bemoaning their fate. They say they are too old to run-- bad knees, bad back, etc.  They are too old to lose weight; too old to make changes.  I disagree.

Life is so freaking short; I had to reach middle age before I realized, "It's just about over!"  

Rather than give up my dreams, I'm running fast toward them (Well, as fast as I can).

I hope to see you on the same road!

Denverus Spartacus and Spencerus, his mentor.

Denver and Spencer both enjoy this year's Latin
text and learning about ancient Roman history--
especially Spartacus.

A glance at today's Latin studies:  Not pictured are the activities that were . . . according to Denver . . . boring. These included reading in Latin, taking notes on Latin vocabulary and noun/adjective agreement, and a little vocabulary game that Spencer and I enjoyed. 

The boys enjoyed a Roman feast tonight.
Unfortunately, I was the servant!

Denver decided to jazz things up.  At his request, we researched the feasts of ancient Rome.  I then picked up a few things at the store after court-- chicken, eggs, cheese, nuts, bread, honey, fruit. Denver and Spencer prepared the living room.  We had a platter of food in the center and pillows around the food so we could recline and eat.  Voila!  A Roman feast!

Denver asked me to stop the ancient Rome
 documentary so he could run to the costume
 closet for more appropriate attire.

We also enjoyed a history channel documentary on the Roman Empire.  This was accompanied by clothing changes as Denver changed from a toga into Spencer's old Roman soldier costume.  

Finally, Denver was overjoyed when a UPS truck arrived with his new gladiator action figure and Gladiator book. 

We all enjoyed the feast.  Spencer and I enjoyed reminiscing about his own passion for ancient Rome.  The documentary, costume, and first gladiator figure were all part of Spencer's life when he was younger. 

Look what we have!
Two Roman gladiators who can do battle!

I took Spencer to the Michael C. Carlos Museum for a special outing together when he was seven. He chose a little gladiator in the gift shop.  He nearly loved it to death.  Since that time, he has read nearly every book in the library on ancient Rome, and has twice been a Roman general for Halloween. 

At twelve years old, Spencer is now the smiling big brother sharing history with Denver.  Where does the time go?

Learning Like a Hummingbird-- and Just as Quickly!

Several semi-famous homeschool advocates suggest waiting until a child is at least eight years old before beginning academics in earnest.  The way we push academics on children in this country at younger and younger ages, such a statement seems disasterous. 

When I first read the delayed academics advice, I thought it was evidence of foolishness.  But now I wonder.

Denver is eight (nearly nine). Until this school year, he complained loudly about all academic work, wiggled his body like a puppy trying to slip his collar, and begged for recess constantly.

But this year, there is a change.  He wants to know everything.  His reading skills are exploding.  He doesn't complain about writing assignments or math or anything else. He just asks questions.  And more questions.  

Unlike his brothers, Denver doesn't go deep and long into any one subject, but prefers to work like a hummingbird-- sipping from one topic and then another-- circling and getting more knowledge every time he visits. 

Yesterday, while waiting for Spencer during his computer coding class, Denver and I walked into a pet store.  While looking at the various chew bones, Denver suddenly announced, "I would really like to get a skeleton and put it together myself.  I've been thinking about bones."  

It just so happened there was a toy store two doors down.  We went there, and up on a shelf was a build your own skeleton project. When I showed it to him, he said "That's exactly what I'm looking for."  So I forked over fifteen dollars.

We walked back to Spencer's computer coding classroom.  We sat on the carpet; and for the next hour, we assembled Jr. Bones.  It was great!  We talked-- in whispers-- about the way the bones look, the way they work, and how they function.

When we arrived home that afternoon, Denver insisted on looking at all the anatomy books we had in the house and creating a shelf just for that subject.  He created a display with Jr. Bones and two books.

I couldn't have created a better lesson plan or activity if I had planned it for a week.  Well done, Denver.  I think you'll do just fine.

Jr. Bones and two body parts books.
Denver asked me questions about
  every page of both books last night.

High Speed Time Travel with Denver

From one interest to another at light speed-- this week Denver has explored pioneer life, ancient Greek mythology, created Roman wax writing tablets and played gladiator; and now at bedtime . . . Egyptian heiroglyphs on a homemade scroll (from wrapping paper and two cardboard rolls).  Never a dull moment with this guy!  But really . . . a maid would be most welcome :-)

Fasten Your Seatbelts . . . Here We Go!

Spencer's 12th Birthday Party.
Minecraft Themed . . . of course!

After only two months of summer vacation, I was not ready to leap back into homeschool.  I was still enjoying working on my tan and reading my Lincoln biography.  Yet here we are. . . and we're having a ball.

This year, John Robert commutes 50 miles round trip to and from Morgan County High School. There are many good things about this: He is very happy, and has already made new friends.  For the first time, he has several male teachers, and he thinks that is interesting.  The courses are rigorous.  He'll be learning a great deal this year, and I won't have to worry about finding tutors or curricula and classes for him.  

John Robert (in black) celebrating
a wonderful swim season.

John commutes with three other boys from Covington, and the other moms and I share the load of driving 100 miles a day.  All of this is wonderful.

Back to School Week!

The other boys and I are enjoying a leap back into homeschool with more traveling as well.  After a spring and summer with few field trips, this year we are heavily loaded with "outside the books" learning.  

Denver embraces Latin studies with an abundance
of projects-- wax writing tablets, a protective
necklace called a bulla, and baking feast cakes.

On Mondays, Spencer has Civil Air Patrol where he is hoping to learn about flight, navigation, and engineering. Denver is very excited about his new Scout troop.  

On Tuesdays, we travel to Atlanta for homeschool classes in Geography, Robotics, and a course entitled History and the Art of Weaponry. 

We are enjoying two wonderful
microscopes as we explore
tiny living things this fall.

Spencer is amazed at a sample
from inside his mouth!

On Wednesdays, when I must be in court, the boys spend the entire day at the Montessori school.  They bring their homeschool work with them, and participate in music, gardening, lunch and recess with the other children.

Fridays are dedicated to a variety of field trips; something different each Friday of the month-- Shakespeare Theatre, Charlie Elliott Homeschool Days, Art History Workshops in Conyers, and Atlanta History Center Homeschool Days.  Finally, Spencer has his beloved computer coding class in Atlanta on Saturday afternoons. 

Denver (in red) playing with other
 cub scouts after their meeting.

So all of that looks good on paper.  But so far . . . it's a challenge!  I am spoiled by all the free time I've had this summer; and trying to balance the boys' schedule with work, housekeeping, my running and race schedule, dog care (don't forget the dogs!), and the rest of our homeschool curriculum is a challenge.  Oh, yes, I have a husband, too!  And we need groceries!  But we'll get there!

Exploring Fractions

On the bright side, the boys were almost happy to be busier.  We've enjoyed launching back into Latin with a new, kid-friendly curriculum.  The boys are cheerfully doing math, science, history, writing, and everything I've asked them to do.  What a joy!  I am so grateful to have this time with all of my boys.  

Making clay Roman soldiers.

Roman Soldier Denver ready for battle!

One Thing Leads to Another

Denver reading to Apollo in our new lounge.

One thing leads to another.  Each step makes sense, but the outcome is unpredictable.  

This week, the boys' art teacher in Conyers offered to sell us a bookcase.  The price was right, and we came home with it.  We removed our timeline and world map from the wall to accomodate the bookcase.  Then Spencer, Denver, and I decided to move some furniture around to see if we liked it better.  We kept thinking and shifting things until we finally created what Denver calls "The Lounge."  
Today when I reminded Denver about reading, he called out, "Meet you in the lounge!"  As he was reading to me, he said, "I love it here.  This is perfect and so peaceful.  I could sit here and read just like this all day."

Of course, ten minutes later he was running around the house with his Nerf gun; but still, it was a nice moment.  All because of a bookcase.