Summertime Growing

I don't know how it happened, but August is halfway over.

Right now, the big kids are in the kitchen arguing over the last of the "good" cereal (apparently Honey Bunches of Oats are far superior to Frosted Mini Wheats...who knew?), Troy is practicing his tummy time on a blanket next to me, and I am finishing my daily pot of coffee in the cozy dimness of an impending thunderstorm.

It's days like this that I wish my hubby had a job that allowed him to work from home...and not actually have to work. *sigh*

Life has literally been a blur...which doesn't seem fair because I very intentionally didn't sign up for any busyness this summer. Our days have been long scooter walks to parks, hours of playing in our sandbox and swingset, occasional playdates with friends, baby snuggles, and picnics.

...Also a ridiculous amount of dishwashing, laundry folding, floor sweeping (the downside of the beloved sandbox), and general clutter busting. I would add vacuuming to that list, but let's face it, I honestly don't vacuum enough to have it make it onto the list. I'm almost thankful we have a friend with a cat allergy, as it forces me to vacuum once in a blue moon. I put a lot of thought into what carpet would best disguise the inevitable trail of five kids and a cat, and it's paying off big time. Does this make me untidy? Perhaps. Does this make me extremely clever? Wise? Far-seeing? Definitely.

I am in the midst of prepping for the coming school year, while simultaneously trying to pretend that summer will never end. (It's complicated, but possible.) I am excited about this new school year though, as we have joined Classical Conversations, and while I'm a little nervous about the learning curve of a new curriculum, I'm happy about all the support available to me, and all the friends the kids will be making as they learn. Also, on the once-weekly community days, the tutors will be doing the science experiments with the kids, which I am SOOO excited about. The idea of trying to gather experiment supplies, when in a typical week I can barely get out grocery shopping (I've been out of soft scrub for weeks, and I just can't make myself go out to get more and keep forgetting to get some when I'm out. This is my life right now.) and then work through them while keeping my three-year-old from trying to grab it and keep Troy entertained while hoping the big kids are actually learning something is simply magical, and is honestly one of the reasons we joined CC.
As we get into it and find our stride, I'll post updates for potential readers considering their homeschool options, or potential readers not at all considering homeschooling but who are simply curious how the crazy people live. (You know who you are)

My kids will be rubbing shoulders with kids who have been learning classically their entire lives, and I honestly think that if we'd tried this even one year ago I would be a lot more concerned with how my kids will compare with their peers. Will they be as well-read? Will they learn their vocabulary as fast? Will they have grade-level math skills? Will other kids think they are weird? Will they fit in? Obviously, as their mom, I want happy answers to these questions, and that hasn't changed. But, and this is a BIG but, Having Troy in my life has already changed my perspective on all these things. Troy is different for his peers. His little cousin who is one day younger than he is is crawling all over the place and is walking with support...probably independently before the month is out. Troy is developing at a whole different rate and in entirely different ways, and I've always expected this and it doesn't make me sad. I can just let Troy be Troy and help him learn and grow and thrive.

I feel a little silly for not applying this mindset since day one of parenthood.

My kids are a little quirky. They have some things they are good at naturally, and some things they need some extra help and encouragement with. I know that this is normal, but I've also never know how much is normal and I've looked to their peers to compare and see how "on track" they are. But how unfair is that?! Seeing Troy develop, seeing the PERSON he is: unique, amazing, made in the image of God...seeing that his probable future difficulties with algebra or geometry will in no way diminish his personhood or worth...I feel confident that he will live a beautiful, full life: growing in the knowledge and love of God, pouring into the people he loves and who love him, and, Lord willing, growing into a young man who values learning and hard work. I was dwelling on this one day, when it smacked me in the face that of course this applies to my other kids as well. If Troy can have Down Syndrome and lead a beautiful, full life, it's ridiculous to feel like my other kids need to fit in a particular box society calls "normal" to lead a beautiful, full life.

It's my job to help my kids learn and flourish, yes, but not compared to other kids, not compared to averages, statistics, or that other family who seems to have it all together. This school year, I am excited to tackle their education with this fresh, healthy mindset, and see where it leads us. Also, this school year and forever, I am excited to see what else God has to teach me through Troy...and I'm so, SO thankful He chose to place him in our lives when our family is still so young, and we can all learn and grow together.