We have made a vow to be more diligent about our homeschool obligations. I don't mean in terms of our daily teachings, but more in terms of answering to the state. It behooves us to do as such. We just received our enrollment paperwork for the next school year, and last year we waited until the zero hour and suffered accordingly. The shame of it all was that we had so much time and rested on our laurels. Or should I say, I rested on my laurels.
The fact of the matter is, homeschooling is my job, though I got a little huffy when my wife seemed to hint at this. My apologies to her, and I'm sure she wants to flog me for my behavior at times. Then again, she'd better be careful, I just got my blue belt.
Either way, our short terms goals go something like this-we need to sit down and assess where we've been and what we've covered, then compare that to what we said we'd do (i.e., our curriculum). We can still cover the things that fall short because there is still a lot of time, but again, it goes by quickly, and the better prepared we are, the easier it will be.
Then we need to begin assembling the portfolio, which isn't due until Labor Day, I believe, but like a lot of situations, when you have so much time, you waste all of it. The easier part will be to fill out the enrollment for the next school year. For the record, I admit that I got a little whiny when it became clear that this was going to fall in my lap. My apologies, once again, to my wife, but at least I'm not getting angry... sort of.
Just thinking about it makes my head spin, which is the kiss of death because those are the times when I just shut down and try to ignore it. Can't do that this time.
To make matters all the more complicated, I have my minor writing gigs that don't pay much but I want to maintain, while I'm also searching for the elusive writing gig that will pay me much, or at least enough to maintain our fabulously opulent lifestyle (for those of you who don't know me, this is a joke) And then there's my blog, or should I say, blogs?
It's all a bit much, so we'll deal with it in the best possible way-by trying to go skiing. Today is Friday, the last Friday that the Quechee Hill will be open, and it's supposed to rain. Bummer, but yet another example of how life is unpredictable, and rather than moan or get angry, just deal with it and make the most of it.
See how well my anger management is working?
If it were possible to put in a humble request to the weather, however, we would not complain if the rain came later rather than earlier, but that's just us.
We have a busy weekend up ahead, and it just might involve... you guessed it, skiing. Looking forward, however, to Saturday in Hanover at the Howe Library (one of my favorite libraries of all time!) and dinner at Boloco, one of my five favorite places to eat in the Upper Valley.
Until then, thanks for reading.
Showing posts with label Quechee Hill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quechee Hill. Show all posts
Friday, February 27, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Friends and a Break From the Slopes
We haven't seen or heard from CB in days, and hope she's well. We still have her birthday present and may very well make contact today, but you never know. School starts tomorrow. I bailed out on Gary, I feel bad, not that he missed me, but we were stuck in Hanover and we don't have access to a phone, so I couldn't call him. Excuses, excuses. I have to call him to day to apologize.
We finally hooked up with A&T and their kids at one of our favorite locales, the Howe Library. I love that place. I was thinking A was mad at me because we kind of both dropped the ball on contact, so she was pissed that I hadn't called and expressed her anger by not calling. Such a vicious circle.
It was a nice reunion, however, and the kids had a blast together, like they always do. My understanding is that they were there all day, so it must have been brutal for them, but that's not our business. Now that we've reconnected, it feels much better and I have a feeling that we'll be more in touch.
We're supposed to get socked with snow today, and we've decided to take a couple of days off from skiing because we've been going like crazy for the past week. In fact, we've skied for six days straight, and could have easily made it eight, but at some point it's good to have some down time. So we'll relax and look forward to maybe skiing at the Skiway mid-week or at the very least, at the Quechee Hill on Friday. Hopefully we'll get loads of snow in the meantime.
I'm still scrambling to find helmets that fit properly. The ones they have are too big and look it, and have to confess to being a little self-conscious amongst the crowds, not that they care, nor should I. But, it's a good time to get equipment because the season is winding down and places are unloading gear. So, for the next season, we need to get A bigger skis, maybe 140-50s, some new poles, and helmets that fit. We have about nine months, so hopefully something will come up. I know a bunch of ski sales happen in the fall, so we'll keep our eyes open.
Also, have to keep in mind, propane, firewood, and homeschool administration. Don't want to screw that one up again.
Until then, thanks for reading.
We finally hooked up with A&T and their kids at one of our favorite locales, the Howe Library. I love that place. I was thinking A was mad at me because we kind of both dropped the ball on contact, so she was pissed that I hadn't called and expressed her anger by not calling. Such a vicious circle.
It was a nice reunion, however, and the kids had a blast together, like they always do. My understanding is that they were there all day, so it must have been brutal for them, but that's not our business. Now that we've reconnected, it feels much better and I have a feeling that we'll be more in touch.
We're supposed to get socked with snow today, and we've decided to take a couple of days off from skiing because we've been going like crazy for the past week. In fact, we've skied for six days straight, and could have easily made it eight, but at some point it's good to have some down time. So we'll relax and look forward to maybe skiing at the Skiway mid-week or at the very least, at the Quechee Hill on Friday. Hopefully we'll get loads of snow in the meantime.
I'm still scrambling to find helmets that fit properly. The ones they have are too big and look it, and have to confess to being a little self-conscious amongst the crowds, not that they care, nor should I. But, it's a good time to get equipment because the season is winding down and places are unloading gear. So, for the next season, we need to get A bigger skis, maybe 140-50s, some new poles, and helmets that fit. We have about nine months, so hopefully something will come up. I know a bunch of ski sales happen in the fall, so we'll keep our eyes open.
Also, have to keep in mind, propane, firewood, and homeschool administration. Don't want to screw that one up again.
Until then, thanks for reading.
Monday, February 2, 2009
But Wait, There's More
Had another great day skiing and hit some milestones, as well. On Saturday we did our usual trip to Occom Pond, and I hate to admit this, but it lost a little of it's luster. I don't know why, but it just wasn't as fun, and the crowds were amazing. Must have just been a day to be out at the pond, but it was a little manic. It's hard to skate sometimes when there are so many people playing hockey, they seem to take over the ice. We were planning on going to Molly's with out three year old gift certificate, but the place was a zoo, so we went to our favorite place, Boloco, and weren't disappointed, as usual.
We were going to meet up with R&J at the pond, but they never showed up. Oh well, these things happen. We did see them at the Quechee Hill, however, and it was great to see them, though R was holed up in the lodge with Im. They're like us, doing the tag-team parenting thing, though they have the added burden of a baby. We also saw A's horse-riding teacher, who is an instructor, and our old neighbors. It's interesting her because she's (our old neighbor) always effusive about getting together, but I find it at times to be lip service, because in the end, she seems to have no interest in getting together, and it's somewhat redolent of "what have you done for me lately." I.e., she doesn't need us, so why bother. I base this assessment on the fact that, since we moved out and are no longer available to help out , she has completely blown us off, even after I'd made an effort to KIT with her. So I'll take it all with a grain of salt.
But wait, there's more. The biggest events were our kids' skiing. A is on fire, and close to being an independent skier, no longer needing mom or dad. She can ski down the chair lift like Bode Miller, and I think she's ready to try other trails. What really blew us away is that N just decided to try it, as well. And he nailed it, doing it a couple of times. I think our time on the rope tow is done.
Just goes to show you, you shouldn't rush kids. They'll do things on their own time, you just have to be patient. Besides, why is there such a need to make kids do things by a certain time? All these milestones that experts indicate to us all seem so contrived and arbitrary, but they serve all important purpose of making parents worry and feel guilt that they aren't doing their jobs. Most importantly, however, is that they make us spend our money on lessons, consultants, experts, and equipment/gear to get our kids up to speed. It's shameless, when you think about it, and though it's difficult, if not impossible, to completely remove yourself from it, I think it simply works to drive parents crazy and put a lot of unneccessary pressure on the kids to perform.
Kids will grow and develop and catch with up with their peers by themselves left to their own devices, it's just that we, the parents, feel an obligation to intervene.
Until the next time, thanks for reading.
We were going to meet up with R&J at the pond, but they never showed up. Oh well, these things happen. We did see them at the Quechee Hill, however, and it was great to see them, though R was holed up in the lodge with Im. They're like us, doing the tag-team parenting thing, though they have the added burden of a baby. We also saw A's horse-riding teacher, who is an instructor, and our old neighbors. It's interesting her because she's (our old neighbor) always effusive about getting together, but I find it at times to be lip service, because in the end, she seems to have no interest in getting together, and it's somewhat redolent of "what have you done for me lately." I.e., she doesn't need us, so why bother. I base this assessment on the fact that, since we moved out and are no longer available to help out , she has completely blown us off, even after I'd made an effort to KIT with her. So I'll take it all with a grain of salt.
But wait, there's more. The biggest events were our kids' skiing. A is on fire, and close to being an independent skier, no longer needing mom or dad. She can ski down the chair lift like Bode Miller, and I think she's ready to try other trails. What really blew us away is that N just decided to try it, as well. And he nailed it, doing it a couple of times. I think our time on the rope tow is done.
Just goes to show you, you shouldn't rush kids. They'll do things on their own time, you just have to be patient. Besides, why is there such a need to make kids do things by a certain time? All these milestones that experts indicate to us all seem so contrived and arbitrary, but they serve all important purpose of making parents worry and feel guilt that they aren't doing their jobs. Most importantly, however, is that they make us spend our money on lessons, consultants, experts, and equipment/gear to get our kids up to speed. It's shameless, when you think about it, and though it's difficult, if not impossible, to completely remove yourself from it, I think it simply works to drive parents crazy and put a lot of unneccessary pressure on the kids to perform.
Kids will grow and develop and catch with up with their peers by themselves left to their own devices, it's just that we, the parents, feel an obligation to intervene.
Until the next time, thanks for reading.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Serendipity Shines Us in Quechee
We had quite the exciting morning on last week, and it only got better from there. On Sunday I was getting ready to go snowboarding and the kids chimed in and said they wanted to join me. So my initial plan to hit the slopes were changed, for the better of course. I'd always wanted them to take up skiing, besides the fact that I love it, I just think it's cool for kids at this age to take it up. It's a unique experience to have it so commonplace and accessible, and an opportunity you just can't pass up.
So we went to the Quechee Hill, and though I was skeptical and thinking it was going to be a long day, they shined like stars. Not only did they have a blast, but they made huge strides in their skiing and can now ski independently. They don't need their old dad, anymore. A was acing the rope tow, and wanted to try the T-bar. N, meanwhile, is now able to ride the rope all by himself, he doesn't need any help, and he just bolts down the hill. It's too cute, he's so excited.
I took A up the T-bar and skied down with her a few times, but by the end of the day, she didn't need me to go up or down. She can do it all by herself, and it's a first step to riding the chair lift, but more on that later.
It was a great day, and they didn't want to stop. We were there for over three hours, and even then I had to drag them away because I thought my wife would be mad that we'd taken so long, but she wasn't. Not only that, but she had lunch waiting for us, bonus. What a great day, I was so happy that my kids have come around to skiing, but we'll take it one day at a time.
Until then, thanks for reading.
So we went to the Quechee Hill, and though I was skeptical and thinking it was going to be a long day, they shined like stars. Not only did they have a blast, but they made huge strides in their skiing and can now ski independently. They don't need their old dad, anymore. A was acing the rope tow, and wanted to try the T-bar. N, meanwhile, is now able to ride the rope all by himself, he doesn't need any help, and he just bolts down the hill. It's too cute, he's so excited.
I took A up the T-bar and skied down with her a few times, but by the end of the day, she didn't need me to go up or down. She can do it all by herself, and it's a first step to riding the chair lift, but more on that later.
It was a great day, and they didn't want to stop. We were there for over three hours, and even then I had to drag them away because I thought my wife would be mad that we'd taken so long, but she wasn't. Not only that, but she had lunch waiting for us, bonus. What a great day, I was so happy that my kids have come around to skiing, but we'll take it one day at a time.
Until then, thanks for reading.
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