Fun Classes in School Here at Home

I keep telling Wyatt Clay that home school can be fun, but he has to get the tough stuff done, too.   Lots of math these days. Strangely, I was pretty spot on with what I thought he couldn't line up in public school math, but was surprised by stuff he found easy, and especially by what he didn't know. After all of the years of driving on the rest of the world's schedule, having no time for being here at the house with the animals, and almost living in the car, we are enjoying our time here together and setting our priorities that aren't centered around standardized testing or what not.

One of the things that drives me nuts about public school is the lack of physical activity. I hadn't really thought I would push it much during football season, but when a child grows in the spurts that Wyatt does, coordination and fluidity of movement really suffer.  So he wanted extra training in the morning. I had already been building an obstacle course, this just pushed me along, and we will keep adding elements.

The tire is five feet across.  He thought it looked so easy when he helped me roll it from where it used to be a sandbox. Then he tried to flip it.  He quickly admitted that it is bigger than the ones he is used to at football, and we worked on how to work up. For now, he is flipping it up and push-rolling it down the field, then pushing a wheeled cart back with his hands flat, eventually with weight on it.

Shadow Paws rolled in the mud at the turnaround after Wyatt turned on a hose for her.  She is very happy to follow him and race him on sprints, and chase lizards when she has time.

Thursday, she was trying to help me decide whether I could work on painting the farm stand sign, or whether we thought weather would come in.

In the end, we decided the weather was far enough away to do one coat, then decide later if we could add more. Turned out to be a good choice. I used up a can of paint and knew what to buy on the way home from work Friday.

We are still getting into the swing of things, but the kids are trying new recipes regularly. With Bailey away, I found a neat recipe that involved red pepper gazpacho and pepperoni cheese toasts.  Of course, he was more interested in the pepperoni cheese toasts.  Essentially, it is a grilled cheese with pepperoni.  Wyatt did a great job learning to make them. Now if he threw as much energy into his writing assignments!

He even toasted extra pepperoni for garnish and a nice presentation!

And when his Dad got home from work, he made another one. He seems pretty proud of his accomplishments!  And he was fueled up and ready for football practice!

Just another day around here, right? 

Perseverance-

Or- Show Up, and Try

This time of year, I spend a lot of time telling my students that if you keep showing up and trying, you will get better. (Or stronger, faster, more agile-whatever it is you are training for.)  I often find myself saying, too, that of the students who look back in three months and have not met their goals, the single most common thing stated as what they would do differently next time is (drum roll, please...): showing up more.

So what does this have to do with life, or the peewee football photos on this page, you ask?  

Pretty much everything.

Life comes with its wins, like the kids below experienced, yesterday.  Some are easy.  But sometimes they only look that way from the outside.

These boys came out fighting yesterday.  They scored quickly- Sunshine, then Tank, recovering their own kickoff, even.   They ended up winning 36-0.  But what might not be visible to the casual observer are other aspects of this win.  Like number 54, in the middle was playing through an upset stomach, and one of the Quarterbacks was just back from a concussion in last week's game.  Or the fact that they haven't won in well over a year.  At least.

Just as big a win for my young nose-guard who was fighting illness on the field, was the fact that it was a win which came as the first time his dad got to coach from beside him on the sidelines, instead of from afar around his military schedule.

That part of us that helps us keep getting up in the morning, like that underlying fight of my friends and family members who are fighting or living with cancer- that perseverance- not only gets you to the win or the next day, but it gets you the little things.

In yoga, there are some postures, or asanas, which help build physical strengths, or also those that build strength inside- from trust to perseverance.  Holding a posture that is hard, or a little scary, that helps build perseverance. 

 That same perseverance is a quality that will help you have a little more get up anyway when life keeps trying to knock you down.  Sometimes we need a little help to keep getting up, and sometimes we need to helps others.  But by practicing perseverance, and taking on new challenges in life, from a new sport to a new class or hobby, will give you a reason to get up anyway.  After all- there was that one time when you won.  It can and will happen again.

There's my thought for your Sunday. Hugs to you all. And find something to tackle this week, or helps someone else take on life.  It will build you both.

Floating Downstream

This morning, we had some lakefront property on our hands!  It was still raining when we left for town, and much of the property had water.

It took a bit to figure out that we could safely pass the wash going out to Sandario.  But in the end, we got in to town for school and work, visited Auntie and made the feed run.  As dinner was almost ready, I stepped outside to check the rain gauge.  Another inch!  

If I wasn't already motivated to finish up the rain collection upgrade, I would be after the last week.  Two inches in a week, and the barrels were full well before this round.  I am really looking forward to that upgrade!

Well, tomorrow morning is a long drive for football.  The first game to count of the season, with Wyatt having been sick this week, the coach demoted him to being a sub.  But Wyatt says he isn't worried, he will be there for his team.  Then he reminded me a few of the boys don't get back up very often when they get hit, and he will see enough play time for the cough he still has lingering.  I just wish Charlie didn't have to work, and would be on the field with him!

Well, the bell on the dryer is calling my name!  You all have a great night!  Hugs to all =)