And So, Grade 6 Ends!

How do I sum up our seventh year of homeschooling? So much has happened this year. Kiddo has grown tremendously in maturity and ability. And I feel like I am passing the reins on to him now. He is able to do much more than he ever has been executive function-wise, and I often find myself missing the little boy who was so dependent on me.

Two of the huge changes coming our way...he has applied and been accepted to community college for the fall 2014 semester, and we will very likely be moving in order to make the daily drive to classes easier on the two of us. I can't believe how fast time is flying. I guess I did realize that we will be following a non-traditional path but when we moved to this house five years ago, I did not realize that the next move would come so soon. I'm torn. And yet, also very excited.

We are staying true to our motto: aiming high, taking risks, having fun. We have no choice but to aim high because aiming any lower is just too boring. But by aiming high we are taking so many risks and sometimes I am tempted to just throw it all aside and curl up in my recliner and sleep (which I have been doing more of lately no thanks to obvious hormonal changes that come with age). But taking risks is also fun, I can't deny that. There's no fun in playing it safe anymore. Risks keep life adventurous and unpredictable! Thanks to careful homeschool record-keeping, the risks scare me only for a little while. :)

So how do I sum up this year? It's the year that kiddo finished a good number of courses started two years ago. It's the culmination of three college level math courses and one high school level algebra 2 course for a total of four math courses in one year! We like stretching the flexibility of homeschooling like that. :)

It's the year that he aced his first SAT and the year that I realized I just cannot force this kid to write. But that he can and will write with aplomb when he wants to. It's the year that saw him develop a crush for fan fiction writing thanks to a friend's recommendation. It's the year that we visited Boston and he decided he wants to go to MIT some day because he likes the pranks they play. :) The year he had to invest many arduous hours perfecting tough piano pieces and the year he experienced a class on Tolkien's many linguistic creations. It's the year that at a camp we attended, he challenged himself again and again to overcome his fear of heights. It's the year that he learned three hip hop routines and to crochet. The year that he discovered having a doggy younger brother is one of the best things in the world. And the year he realized that with hard work, he can do anything he sets his heart upon.

A year of achievements and memories galore. And what will the coming year bring? Many more adventures no doubt. It is an honor, a privilege to be both parent and facilitator to this kid. I can't wait to experience even more risks with him!

Happy summer everyone!