Soccer
We became a soccer family this weekend. I realize that for some this is considered a late start. In fact, it is such a late start that, were we to take up the sport through our local rec & ed, Calvin would be behind by about three years compared to the other kids in his age group, a fact that astounds me to no end. He's only six.
We've put off the start of team games for a lot of reasons. For one thing, have you ever seen a three-year-old taking part in cooperative play? It falls somewhere in the "no it's mine" category. Plus we've been selfish with our time. Nothing about multiple weekday practices and giving up our Saturdays to games was appealing to Jon or to me. But the main reason we've waited this long is the competitive nature of team sports. We don't like it, so we've avoided it. I recognize that team sports are supposed to teach cooperative behaviors, but if you've ever seen the soccer parent caricature, you know what I'm talking about. So we've sought the teaching and learning of cooperative behavior in other ways, ways that throw teams together without pitting them against other teams.
What's different now? Well, this year our local homeschooling group, which is rather unruly and large for being local in such a small town area, decided to organize a summer soccer association. Surrounded by parents who, by and large, have similar ideas about team sports, we though it would be a fun way to start. Plus we meet only once a week. The group had enough kids for about five teams, ages all over the map, of course, and enough parents interested in teaching and coaching to make it a viable summer activity. We designed t-shirts, we paid enough to purchase a few balls, some scrimmage jerseys, and a slew of orange cones, and we're off.
Yesterday was our first practice. The main goal right now, according to the parents, was to have fun, stay fit, and learn how to play the game. The main goal, according to the younger kids at least, was day dreaming, I think. In any case, we got the first one right; the kids sure had fun.
And the blue team is ready for action! Or maybe not.
The other team scored once, and after that Calvin was afraid to leave the goal. At some point a few other blue team members caught on to the importance of the goalie, too, and we suddenly had three goalies...out of a team of 5.
At least it was sunny.
homeschool group, soccer Project 365, week 16
April 16 - April 22
A fun week, plus two extra pages (couldn't resist all those fun shots!)
106. Playing chess with Iris, 107. a new frog umbrella, just in time for some rain, 108. working on the model oxygen atom, 109. metal stamping in jewelry class at HAA, 110. snapping some circuits together, 111. chess and margaritas (for the adults), 112. headstand on the last day of gymnastics.
Playing chess with Iris.
How to build a universe.
365_2013 Spring, obscure tv shows, and how to make a universe
Obviously I have had little to say for the past few weeks. Either that or we've been doing little to talk about, or maybe I've been taking fewer pictures. Part of the impromptu hiatus was due to a sudden influx in book review assignments. Having to spend my evenings reading? You got it. But at least some of those evenings were spent giving in to an obsession with a few obscure TV shows (both Psych and Mad Men returned a couple of weeks ago, plus we've discovered the prowess of BBC shows, mainly Sherlock and Dr. Who). Watching TV until the wee hours of the morning? Not our finest moments, but it's been fun nonetheless.
In the time that I've been basically gone, though, it's amazing how very little has happened. In fact, that's been the real story of the past month: more of the same all over again. Since the last three years have gifted us with warm, early springs, the lethargy of this year's season has been somewhat of a shock and disappointment. Looking back at pictures from this time last year we were in shorts and tees, while this year I was still running in long pants and a fleece until just this week.
Additionally, not much has happened on the home front, and right now I think that's really a good thing. Winter is busy, summer is busy, but spring and fall almost demand a dragging of feet from me. Forget the whole spring cleaning thing, there's plenty of time for that during the long winter months when we're cooped up inside. Spring is for daydreaming, for watching the birds return, for lazy afternoons with a good book. And apparently for late nights with obscure television shows, but that's an anomaly, I think.
For Calvin, on the other hand, spring is about being outside in as few clothes as is bearable, and for as long as possible, no matter the temperature. Or at least that's what it's been about since the first day that even suggested warmth, especially if chalk was involved. Thanks to the frequent night rains, the driveway has been much like an etch-a-sketch. It has accommodated a map of Africa, a slideshowesque how-to on creating a universe (don't forget the black holes), and a map of a unique solar system and planet from said other universe. Which obviates the current household interest: astrophysics. It's like an obsession for the kid right now. If it has anything to do with black holes, antimatter, subatomic particles, or the elements, he's all over it. In fact, he's planned out a rather elaborate project for the 4H fair in July. Which means that things are promising to be a little more engaging around here soon enough, since a few weeks of lethargy are about all we can stand.
homeschooling, life, science, spring 
