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In just 1 week my little girl will be going to kindergarten. The little bitty that squirmed and wiggled while I put on her footed pajamas will be bringing her lunch to school and wearing a backpack. The tiny girl who signed “Mommy” when she was scared is going to be waving good-bye to me as she marches into a class full of kids.
It’s kinda surreal. Honestly, it’s not as scary as I thought it would be. I’m not nearly as sad as I assumed I’d be. It’s because Lydia is so excited. Every time we pass her school she jumps and sings and points. She’s ecstatic about her lunchbox, her uniforms and her teacher. I’m excited about the school because it fits our lifestyle and goals.
My husband and I searched out private schools, we read about the public schools, we talked to parents. But nothing seemed to gel with what we were feeling and wanting for our daughter. Then I heard about this hybrid-homeschool-place. The kids go to class (real class! with teachers! and uniforms! and cubbies!) two days a week. Then 3 days a week the parents continue the lessons at home.
I never EVER considered homeschooling before she was born. But once I realized I’d have to hand off that precious bundle to a stranger for EIGHT hours a day to learn who-knows-what I started changing my mind. And year after year as I decided to keep her out of preschool and in my house, I began to warm to the idea of homeschool.
So, we checked it out, went to the meetings, filled out our applications, had our interviews and we’re in! Today I went to a work-day in the kindergarten class and met Lydia’s teacher. (Who I now love!) Next week we’re going to have some informational/training meetings and an open house. School starts on August 15!
I’m really excited about all of it. I’m looking forward to the challenge of teaching Lydia. I’m excited for Lydia to have a new group of friends and have some more godly adults in her life. And I’m already coveting the alone time I’m going to spend with Asa.
So, to get in the groove of our new schedule and life, I’m going to take the rest of August off my blogs. I’m only going to post 1-2 things I’ve already committed to write. I’ll also be hosting Top Ten {Tuesday} but I’ll have some special guest Top Ten {Tuesday}-ers to share their lists with us! And I’m still trying to decide if I’ll be on facebook or twitter. I’m pretty sure I’ll be on Pinterest. Don’t think I can quit that!
It’s not that I won’t miss you, but I’m pretty excited about the quietness not posting here will bring to my mind. So, I’ll see you back here on Labor Day!
I think the hybrid-school sounds awesome! The best of both worlds! Hope the transition goes well!
I hope you have a wonderful time! See you in September!
Good for you! Enjoy this break. I plan on taking a blogging break the last couple week of August too. Just to get back in the swing of our homeschool schedule and give the kids the time they need.
How exciting! Is this the ‘university school’ model? I wish that there was something like that in our area. You are going to continue to be a fantastic teacher for your precious little girl. Have a great month!
It’s not technically the university model. But the idea is the same!
we have a hybrid system just like that too! we plan on putting our kids in that when its time. i love that i’ll have a hand in their education but i also think its important that they go elsewhere, learn to respect other adults, and deal with other personalities and have to concentrate through it all. traditional schooling offers really great social skills…and other not so great things too so the hybrid model is just too perfect! happy day to you!
What a wonderful set-up for starting school! I would have done exactly the same if it had been an option with my older children. Good luck to you (and Lydia!). 🙂
Oh my word! we are doing the exact same thing with charlotte!! except she is going 3 days a week 9-12:30. They are calling our’s a hybrid, or university model, or cottage school (i don’t really know what defines it) We are actually the first class (it is at the kids’ preschool)…there were a group of moms who were saying no to public school, but not ready to do 100% homeschooling and this was born. I am excited to be a part of the beginning and to help shape curriculum choices ,etc. Would love to talk to you more offline about your model. (can you email me the website to the school? we re trying to learn from other models) and i’d love to hear what you curriculum looks like for home days (do they give it to you, or do you create/pick your own?)
And let me know if you need a guest poster. I only writing 1-2 times a week on my blog anyway right now. Decided I just couldn’t keep up with the demands of a daily blogger. (hence why you need a break!) 🙂 Let’s chat friend!
very cool! My oldest starts kindergarten as well this fall and I did the similar search and discovered a classical Christian school that does only 2 day kindergarten. Very excited that he won’t be going every day and that he will get to play with his brothers on his off days. This time is so short and I don’t want to miss a thing. 😉
Sounds like an amazing opportunity for Lydia, and for you!
Sounds like a great solution for you guys!
I will miss your posts!!
so SO jealous you have this option where you live. We have many co-ops but none that is as structured as this sounds. So excited for both of you!! She’s gonna do amazing!
That school sounds AMAZING! I would love to do something like that for my Lydia when the time comes (although we do have a few more years).
Enjoy your break from blogging! While you will be missed it is a completely deserved break!
Oh my! That sounds amazing. I have thought about sending my future kids to private school, but I have also thought of the idea of wanting to home school them. The hybrid school sounds perfect. The still get the social aspect of school but, you also get a hand in their education.
Have a great break.
What a great option. I wonder if I will end up doing something like that. I have always said I would NEVER homeschool even though I know lots of people who do it well. We’ll have to cross that bridge when we get to it, but until then I love watching other people go across first so that I can learn from them 😉
I’m a brand-spanking-new reader, and wanted to say good for you! I was homeschooled (loved it), and plan to homeschool my hypothetical (er, praying for) children. I live in the boonies, so a hybrid school is not possible – but I think it is one of the best ideas ever!
What a cool concept! Enjoy this precious and important time. We will look forward to seeing you back here in September.
Sounds like a great program! I never thought we’d be homeschooling, either, but it is more do-able than most people imagine. Having a good support system through friends, Co-ops, or Hybrids is ideal. Don’t knock yourself out; remember: one day at a time. They can’t learn everything at once, so don’t feel the pressure to {teach} everything at once. Enjoy the journey!
Funny, we are doing the same thing – just decided and I’m scared stiff because I’m doing it with a brilliant grade 5 kid. We have what is called distributed learning and he attends school x2/week with other DL kids. We have a supervising teacher that writes report cards but I do all the teaching. We also get 1000$ towards disposable supplies and extra curricular activities. We’re going to give it a whirl and see how it goes……I’ll need more than prayers!! Good luck on your adventures!
SOOOOOO exciting!!!!! I just know you’re going to have so much fun! What a wonderful adventure! The only part school/part home school they have here is actually a private school…so the cost is prorated for the time they are in, but still a fortune!
Have a wonderful, August!!!!
xoxo!
I’m excited for you and for Lydia! I wish there was a program like that where we live. Now I’m going to look you up on Pinterest. 🙂
I’ve never heard of a hybrid school before! What a great idea. Wish we had something like that where we are.
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