Easing into a New Year

It is done.

Our summer jobs have stopped and I am back to only working 3 evenings a week. As of 3 weeks ago, all the boys were finished working.The local schooled kids returned to their schools 1 week ago.

Mason..is right with them. He leaves the house at 7:30am..we see him again sometime between 4 and 8pm depending on soccer schedules. We visit with him briefly each morning..and catch him at dinner a few times. He is busy. He is happy. He is worn out already...and the heavy homework load has not hit yet.

Meanwhile..my own spoiled boys are still easing their way into this year. As I type they are both snoozing away in their rooms while I play on the computer, rotate laundry and listen to an Ultra Lounge c.d. The boys stayed up late watching movies in Cody's room. I am starting to see Cody and Austen choose to spend more time together again this year. It is nice to see.

The past few years have held lots of activity and really a fair amount of study (despite appearances otherwise). So we are making a conscious effort to cut back and just enjoy living for awhile. Both boys have asked to just be..and I think this is a great time to do that.

Still..we do seem to be developing some rhythm to our week. It's just more unschooled than in the past few years...this is the weekly pattern I have seen emerging in the past 3 weeks.

Sundays: church, Cody works on cars with Brian. Austen cooks with Aunt Barbara. Mason hangs out and works on small projects around the house.

Mondays: Movies! Dollar theater is nice..also a good day for errands. Yesterday we visited several bike-shops as Austen was on a scavenger hunt for a particular bicycle tire... Cody had ortho. appointment...we messed around in the dollar store. We visit my parents, return home to take our turn to cook for community dining.

Tuesdays: go to library (morning) and volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club(afternoon). The boys are riding their bikes to the Club. Austen is providing the snack for all the kids on Tuesdays..then he and Cody are still recycling in the city-wide paper recycling program. We have started spontaneous problem practice for the Club Odyssey teams. So Cody rides his bike home after recycling (and occasionally stops at coffee house) while Austen joins us in spontaneous problem practice. Austen likes to stop and play in the river with friends (when it's got water) on his bike-ride home.

Wednesdays: Austen and friends co-op at our house.This is a very Waldorf-Inspired co-op that includes Alg.1/2 or 1 (depends on kid), Chemistry and Physics, Drafting, Cooking and Art...along with lots of board games and play. Steak Nights occasionally.

Thursdays: community dining.

Fridays: Austen and friends co-op at our house. Cody starts Friday School. This year he is taking AP Chemistry, Advanced Math (pre-cal/trig) and Financial Peace. Community dining.

Saturdays: Cody works on cars with Brian. Mason plays soccer.

Once Odyssey gets going (we are still not sure which organization Austen will compete with) and soccer starts (Cody has cut back on the competitive stuff and is waiting for FEAST soccer to start) we will readjust again...a little.We are trying to keep the empty times..empty.

The boys have been using this time to clean/reorganize their rooms, play instruments, hang-out with the chickens, read books, mess around on computers and just be. Cody is still trying to establish his shop..and rumor has it he and Brian will be building a 3 bay garage with lift soon. As for Austen, I've seen lots of bike-repairs, bike-riding, hanging out with friends and pondering going on.

We are enjoying this time of "easing into a routine". I hope it lasts for awhile.