Fave pic 
Highlights of the week Gage did go swimming at our friend’s house last weekend for a few hours and Jason said the kids stayed socially distanced 80-90 % of the time, but that he had to keep reminding them. I know he needed it, he did, but I hate making trade-offs.
We were able to have some time enjoying the outside. Gage and I went to the closest Cleveland metropark, about five minutes away and enjoyed some time playing games, reading, drawing, and, yes, taking a walk. I am at home among the trees.
Jason took the day off of work on Friday and we went to Headlands Beach (Lake Erie). It’s the largest natural beach in Ohio, but somehow it was our first time there even though we’ve lived in Cleveland for 20 years. It wasn’t crowded on a Friday morning and was very beautiful although the sand was rocky. It’s less than 40 minutes from us so we’ll be back.
Our school district just announced that they’re going fully virtual for the first quarter. I’ve been reading like crazy trying to get a handle on what homeschool will look like for us this year and I think it’s coming together. I’ll be working on my lesson plans for August and September and ordering supplies this week and hopefully we’ll start next week.
I wrote about the authors I’ve been lucky enough to meet here.
Gage reviewed Megabat and Fancy Cat here.
I wrote a review of The Brave Learner here.
I posted my 5 word movie reviews that you can contribute to and earn money for charity here.
Books read 
Another great resource. 
Dated.
Currently reading 
It’s early but I like it so far! 
Such a great morning devotional book for this crazy time.
Currently listening 
On the TV We watched season one of Cursed which was okay 
and The Old Guard that I liked better 
, both on Netflix.
Plans for the weekend Lesson planning, pursuing some testing and tutors, and remaining calm 🙂 I had a little freak out at the beginning of the week about the enormity of taking over Gage’s education this year that was not helpful. Wine helped, but getting plans to paper will help even more.
Anything fun planned for your Sunday?
Stacy's Books 
I am glad Gage was able to visit with his friend and go swimming. Mouse still hasn’t been able to visit with any of her friends in person other than the occasional bike/scooter ride around the cul de sac with the neighbor boy. We had wanted to plan a playdate with one of her dance friends at the park, but that was put on hold because of the uptick in cases in the area.
I wish you the best with the homeschooling. We’re going virtual, but teacher-led. It’s the best option for us at this time. We’ll see how it goes. I have a couple of friends who homeschool and have for years. They swear by it. Do you have a network of support and other parents taking it on as well? I know that would really help too, if you do or are able to connect with one.
I hope you have a great week, Stacy. Hang in there. Stay safe and well.
We had done a few bike play dates and they worked well. I don’t regret letting him swim but he had to wait 5 days to see his grandparents. He was invited to another swimming pool by friend from school, but we’ve declined so far. We’re on lockdown for another week or so while we see if enough people are wearing masks for our numbers to go down.
I haven’t joined a homeschool group yet. After I get a few months under my belt I will for sure. The parents I know who homeschool love it too so I’m hoping we have a similar experience. It’s good that Mouse has had online interaction with friends. I think the isolation is difficult for our only kids 😦
My daughter has taken her kids to the beaches in our area (Lake Michigan). Nice to have access to outdoor activities and be able to social distance. I’m sure there’s a lot to do to prep for home schooling but I think you’ll do great!
Thanks, Mary!
The beach was nice. I could have sat in the waves for hours 🙂
I think you are doing what you believe will be best for your son, and I believe you and your son will both enjoy the endeavor. You will be learning right along with him. I see a strong nature focus in your curriculum and that will be wonderful for both of you.
We are in a regular routine of walking each morning at 6:30, when the temperatures are still in the upper 70s and the sun isn’t high in the sky. We see so many things that we once would have completely missed. We spent a long time this morning looking at mushrooms that have popped up after the storm last weekend.
A good devotional sounds great right now. I’ve been reading a big collection of Mary Oliver poems that seems like a sort of a devotional. I don’t think I realized how much Oliver writes about nature.
I’ll have to check out some of her poetry. Poetry is something that Gage and I will have to learn to appreciate together. It’s never been my first, or even first five, choice, but I see a lot of it in the homeschool books I’m reading.
We spend most morning out on our back deck enjoying the very popular bird house we put up last year. We never realized that we were running some kind of bird hotel that they rent by the minute until we took the time to slow down. There are silver linings to the situation we all find ourselves in, if only we learn to not hold ‘normal’ so tightly in our minds.
Have a great week Deb!
I am happy that you are homeschooling Gage. The many hours you have spent researching and preparing for it will pay off. Can’t wait to read about this great adventure! I am available for field trips 😄
Good luck on your homeschooling journey. I thought I would homeschool Gabe when we lived in Japan and I read through the Well-trained Mind one as well. I ended up not doing it but it helped me understand that I could choose to do it and it would work out! So you’ve got this! Gabe’s schooling will be online as well and I’ll be helping out and supplementing where needed. I look forward to your posts with Gage. I know you’ll both have some amazing experiences this year!
Glad you guys were able to get out to some fun places close by. Hoping we can do that too this next weekend. If my cat is feeling better…
Oh no! Is Nala still not feeling like herself? 😦
The Well-Trained Mind was good for explaining the how and the why. but the Home Learning Year by Year is where I’m pulling most of my book sources from. Between the two books together I feel I’ve got a firm foundation.
Glad Gage was able to spend time with a friend; we do need to cautiously mix things up a bit. Good luck with the home schooling; I admire you Stacy. School is still not decided here but, we think it may be split session to cut class sizes in half with a total online option for parents who want that.
Thanks for the encouragement Diane! It’s a new world, but one I’m really excited about.
Sounds like a busy week for you. Good luck with the homeschooling. I’m sure you will do great with it. Have a great week!
Thanks! Happy reading!
I have no idea at all about homeschooling as it is never done in this country where I live. But it also sounds like an enormous responsibility for the parents. I do not know whether all parents are able to handle it in a capable manner. What happens then I wonder?
There are so many resources that parents can use when the kids get older (junior high or high school), like online classes or tutors. I think most parents are adequate at teaching their kids until junior high at least. Each state has rules. In Ohio at the end of the year Gage has to take a standardized test like the other kids or I can provide his year of work (portfolio) to a licensed teacher who signs off on his advancement. If there are problems the school board can step in.
How nice that you guys got out for a trip to the beach. Bet it was fun and relaxing. As to the homeschooling, it will be OK. You’ll do fine. It’s just getting into it and getting a routine. Mine was older than Gage when we did it (7th & 8th grade), but she did well and I managed it with a little advice from some friends who had done it for years. It’s nice that you can focus on what he needs for now. And there are a lot of curriculum choices and options out there these days. Bet there will be more before long.
We’re watching Cursed in Netflix right now. Have only watched 3 or 4 episodes. It’s not bad. We’ll see how it goes. Honestly, I’m thinking that regular TV shows won’t be coming back for a while, so we’re trying to be a bit more adventurous in our watching. Have a good week!
That’s a pretty picture of Headlands Beach … the water looks nice. I agree it feels great to go on a trip away. Recently I got to be at the ocean on the West Coast and it felt like heaven just to be there after many months cooped up. Hooray! I hope you get to go back for some R & R. Enjoy.