We fell into homeschooling at the beginning of Covid and I’ve discovered a whole new world, one with ups and downs, but ones we choose for ourselves. I love having relaxing mornings, walks at lunchtime, fieldtrips of our choosing, experiments that start because of an interest, Outschool for having quality led classes that I can choose at a moment’s notice if needed, flexibility to take trips when we want to, and more time together as a family. I even feel like my degree in education comes in handy.
It’s not exactly what I thought it would be, even now two years later, but it’s been that dirt path, the one I always want to take when exploring a new place. I’ve learned as much as Gage, not just the academics, but how to a become more patient, flexible, and present person. Gage will be finishing up 5th grade tomorrow 
and I’ve had the pleasure of being his teacher and his student.
Gage finished his first week of summer camp this week and it was good for both of us. He has five more weeks at different camps, three of those weeks he’ll be going with friends so that’s a plus.
I hosted my book club this week for the first time in two and a half years and it was great to get together and for me to host! We’ve only had people over for outside gatherings since Covid and this was the first time I actually had to prep the house, lol.
What I finished this month so far…
I’ve read 159 books so far this year.
On the screen
I posted about my April and May movies here.
Last week, during a night of horrible insomnia, I watched these back to back to back. I have no excuse except I wasn’t in my right mind. And I’m more than a little miffed that the third, the supposed end of the trilogy, is only the first part so I didn’t even get the ending, however ridiculous it might be.
Jason and I are currently watching the latest season of Stranger Things. Anyone else binged it?
Plans for the weekend
Gage and Jason went swimming at a friend’s house yesterday while I went to the library to do some work for the Friends. As treasurer I have more to do today since our board meeting is tomorrow. I’m also hoping to do the fun job of clearing the homeschool bookshelf and starting fresh. Something that will look worse way before it looks better, but I will feel so much lighter when it’s done.
Hopefully you have something more exciting planned for the day.
Stacy's Books 
Congrats on two years of homeschooling! That’s a tough job. I’m not sure if I could do it. 🙂
I’m never sure week to week if I can manage it!
Let me add my congrats on the two-year mark in homeschooling! Can’t believe your boy will be in 6th grade. Doesn’t time fly? These kids, they will insist on growing and growing. Ha! I’ll be back to blogging tomorrow. We just got back from a long-postponed vacation to Asheville, NC, and I have a lot to ‘show and tell’. And my reading is finally going well. Crossing my fingers that it will remain that way. So, you are treasurer of your Friends group – me, too! We ought to compare notes. I just agreed to the job earlier this year, one month after I agreed to be on the Friends Board. Small towns. What I’ve found is that if you start offering to volunteer, everyone takes you up on it. LOL
Take care, Stacy!
Ah, got roped into being treasurer, huh? Sounds familiar 🙂 I just took over in January, so by the time I figure it all out I’ll be done. It’s typically a 2 year commitment but since I stepped in for someone I only agreed to finish his term at the end of the year, If you want to compare notes give me a holler.
You really sound very busy. Coming out of the long covid hibernation and having people in one’s house again is really a bit startling.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
We started outside, but the rain moved us inside and it was unsettling at first! More so than I thought it would be for sure.
Can’t believe you have a 6th grader now! Congratulations on two years of homeschooling and I’m glad it has worked out so well for you. Covid brought about a lot of changes in lifestyles, but it sure sounds like that one was for the better.
I haven’t had a real book club since we sold our house in NY, so I’m a little envious of your at home meeting. The FL library group never got going again after Covid, but I’m planing to try out a library group here in CT this summer.
In person book club a few months ago was the first thing that felt normal in quite some time. Hope you can find a good group. I can’t believe I Gage will be 12 in October. Not ready.
It sounds like you and Gage shared benefits from the homeschooling experience. Hard to believe he’s a 6th grader, isn’t it? Time really does fly!
My book group has been meeting in person for a few months now; first with masks and now without, although we spread out quite a bit in our community rec center. We’re beginning to see an increase in Covid cases again, though, so we may go back to wearing masks this summer. We’ll see.
We just started watching The Staircase with Colin Firth. It’s good, but fairly disturbing since it’s based on a true story. I’m already convinced I know whodunnit.
I love Colin Firth so I’ll have to look for it. I skipped the first few book clubs back because I wasn’t ready to meet inside without masks. For this one though my decision was made for me because it was my turn to host and we were saying goodbye to one of our members. I’m kind of glad I was forced into it. I think over half of our members have actually had covid in the last 6 months!
I’ve loved seeing your homeschooling journey with Gage! Amazing. Congrats to you both. I hope you and Jason and Gage have a lovely summer break. You all deserve it!
Gabe and I will be starting the fourth season of Stranger Things tomorrow. He has it all planned out. Ha.
Yay to getting back to your book club! How exciting. I hope you all have a lovely week.
Gage watched the first 3 seasons, but after 30 minutes of season 4 he wasn’t interested anymore! I’m okay with that. It’s a little dark for him. Halfway through the second week of Gage at camp and I’m starting to feel more like myself again. I feel like a whole new person, not mom, not teacher, just me.
I’m happy that you have both been enjoying homeschooling, Stacy! What wonderful memories you are making and how fun it is that both of you are learning.
It’s great that you could have your book club over for the first time in a long time. We are setting aside our masks except for our airport and airplane time.
We’re still masking publicly, but are allowing some get togethers where we just hope for the best. Going home for a big family bash in a few weeks and I’m nervous about it. But it is one that can’t be skipped. Having the book club over was a nice return to normal.