Home school and preparing for college - part 1

Preparing for college is stressful for any parent.

First of all, you are admitting that your baby is growing up.

Second, you are admitting you are old enough to have a college age kid.

Third, there is SO much to think about!

If you have a child in elementary school, start looking.  If you are dealing with a jr high student - you're running out of time.  Get busy!  If you are like me and have a high schooler (freshman here) HURRY UP!  With my son being the oldest ad my 'guinea pig' I am learning a lot. I know that there is no reason to re-invent the wheel, and I don't want to.  I am not the first home school mom to send a child off to college.  There is so much more information available now than when I was in high school looking for college info.  That many years ago (not admitting how many!) we didn't even have internet at home!

 

Step 1:  What are you (your child) interested in?

Step 2: What scholarships are available?  Is there something you     should get your child interested in? 

Step 3: What obscure scholarships are available?  Is there something you and your child could become interested in?  (ie golf - do you know how many golf scholarships there are?!)

Step 4: apply apply apply

Since we home school, there are even more opportunities, I believe, to get involved and get qualified for scholarships.  In public school you are limited to what is offered, and what activities you can participate in outside of school.  Being home schooled, your school day/year can revolve around those activities.  For instance; my son is a boy scout. Don't get me started on the changes to scouting - that's a whole other convo.  There are more than 100 merit badges he can work on.  As a freshman he took Literature, Biology, Geometry, and History/Geography.  His electives were art and chess.

Two possible merit badges he could earn are..... art and chess.  Next year he will take chemistry.  Again, there is a merit badge for that.  I could focus his entire h.s. curriculum around boy scout merit badges and he wouldn't miss a thing!  There are fun adventure badges too; camping, hiking, canoeing, engineering, entrepreneurship, life saving, shotgun shooting, archery....  The list is never ending. 

While we know LOTS of boys in public school who are scouts, I just fully believe that because we can make the time, my son has more opportunities to work on those merit badges - which lead to scholarships.

Along with scouts, there is CAP, canoeing classes, 4H, music lessons, art lessons, private lessons for baseball, college prep math, English and science.... Not just one or two, but all day everyday we do all these things.

I know a lot of people who can argue home vs public school.  It is a personal choice.  The point is Apply now!

Arizona Trip - Monday #2

Monday

God does not wake up as early in Texas as he does in Arizona.  I din't wake up until 7:30 this morning.  I know I was tired, but I rarely sleep this late.  It didn't help that the sky was really overcast.  Today was another wake up and drive day.  The kids sleep with seat belts on, just so that I can do this.  I wanted to get to San Antonio early so we had all day to play.  I have to be back home by 9 tomorrow.  Since San Antonio is only 3 hours away, that means we could even stay the night.

Change of plans.  I have lost track with how many times the plans have changed.  This is not a good one though.  We weren't an hour west of San Antonio when the rain hit.  It wan't a little sprinkle like we have seen all year.  It was a downpour.  I will not complain.  I have spent the last week praying for rain.  I was praying that Arizona and New Mexico would get it, but Texas needs some too.

11:30 -  You hear the National Weather Service tone on the radio all the time.  "This is a test...."  Well, this was not a test.  I heard several and all were local flooding.  No Alamo today.  We stop at Applebees for lunch.  This was a long relaxing lunch.  I was sort of hoping that the rain would stop and the sun would come out.  No such luck.

The rest of the trip took 9 hours.  Yup.  9.  San Antonio is only 3 hours away from Houston on a regular day.  Not today.  There were accidents and flooding all the way home.  There were hours were I didn't get over 30 mph.

The trip as a whole may not have gone completely according to plan, but when you ask the kids what their favorite part was they say

Big Boy - The jammin sessions
Big Girl - White Sands
Baby Girl - All of it

That is all that matters to me.  God knew how all of this would work out.  He knew what would be open/closed, about the rain and heat and what we would have time for.  The good thing about not seeing all of the things we had planned on seeing - we can come back and do it again.

Another positive - along the drive are those brown highway signs.  They each had something I wanted to come back to see.  Many different Caverns, historical sights, other national parks, the aircraft boneyard.....

Maybe next summer.  If nothing else, the kids got to see things that were fascinating, breathtaking, and just plain fun.  It was a trip they will remember for a long time.

Arizona Trip - Sunday #2

Sunday

I have no idea what this is, but Big Boy was thrilled to see it

No time to sleep.  We need to have some more fun.  The beginning of the trip may not have been all I had hoped for, but we are enjoying every moment of it any how.  Although I didn't get as far as I wanted to last night, I was up bright and early this morning and on my way.  Right to White Sands, New Mexico.  

I drove down I-10 and got onto I-70 about 8:00.  I knew that the park would be open by 10 am.  I wanted to get there early - before it got hot.  On the way to the park I noticed a sign for White Sands Missile Range.  Interesting.  Not my kind of thing, but I bet that Big Boy would love it.  I follow the signs.  This is an active military base.  No photos allowed.  I can only imagine what this place looks like when there are missiles flying around.  It was scary, but cool at the same time.  I am at the point to where I don't even know what day of the week it is.  I am doing well to remember what time zone I am in.  I pull up to the guard and he says that everything is closed - it's Sunday. Ugh.  We can park in the parking lot and walk to the missile park (bunch of missiles displayed).  Well, I can't very well pull up to a place like this and not go see something.  I turn around and go park.  We don't make it halfway back to the guard and he runs over and says "Why didn't you tell me she was broken?"  Hahaha.  Long story short, he allows me to drive to the park.

My son is not a picture taker.  I send him to camp with explicit instructions to take lots of photos.  He comes back with less than two dozen.  This time he took a photo of every sign and missile thing.  Every.  Single.  One.  Now I know how to get him to use a camera.  Half the stuff there didn't interest me or the girls, but we walked around and read some of the signs.  They were slightly interesting.  Just not my thing.  Big Boy was in heaven!

When he had had fill, we load back up and drive down the road some more.  We found another historical marker.....

You can even find a book all about this at the visitor center

Finally, we get to the park.  When we get out there is a small crowd around a tree.  I couldn't see why, until we walked to the other side of the tree.  Owls.  Not just one or two, but three.  Maybe four.  It was hard to tell.  They were just calmly people watching.  There was one big one (daddy), a mommy size one, and a baby.  We think we saw a second baby, but again, it was hard to tell.

You can only see 'dad' clearly - right in the middle, but there were 2 or 3 others up there as well.

The visitors center was really, really crowded.  I was surprised that it was so crowded on a Sunday.  We got our Junior Ranger program books and wandered around the visitor center filling them out and learning about the White Sands.  This is not our favorite park already.  We are Christians.  We do not believe in evolution.  We do not believe that the earth is millions of years old.  Everything in the visitors center and even some of the things in the Junior Ranger book spoke of evolution.  I wan't sure if we would even finish these books.  

Snow boarding down the White Sands

The visitors center started to get even more crowded and I said it was time to go.  I don't like crowds.  Besides, it will only get hotter today.  A quick look at the owls again and we were off.  We drove around the park (a 16 mile loop), until we found a place to park and go SUMMER SLEDDING!)  The kids were so very excited about this from the moment I mentioned it.  So excited, in fact, that they made sure their sleds and snow boards were packed.

Racing!

Making 'Sand Angels'

They found out really quick that it wasn't as easy to sled - or snow board - on sand as it is on snow.  The trick - create a trail.  Then stay on it each time.  They had so much fun running up the hills and sledding back down.  Trying to race each other, and even making 'sand angels' were on the list of things that they just had to do.  Big Girl even rolled down the hill.  No sled or board.  Just wrapped her arms around herself and rolled.  She giggled so much.

Rolling - just for fun

One thing I enjoyed - versus going to Galveston beach - is that the sand didn't stick much.  Of course it stuck to the still drying sunblock and to the sweat, but when you were dry, it was pretty easy to dust off.

I love gardening, and have enjoyed all the desert plants we have seen the past few days.  One of the plants that I kept seeing was a yucca.  they are all in bloom right now.  I don't know how they look at other times of the year, but I think I want to plant some.

The flowers at the top are just beautiful.

Part of the Junior Ranger program is looking for plants, animals, tracks the animals have left behind, and other signs of life.  We had seen the owl, but we were also lucky enough to see a white lizard.  It was difficult to see with the sun bouncing off the sands and blinding me - even with sun glasses on.

About 4:00 we had to go.  I want to get to Ft. Stockton tonight.  If we can make it that far tonight, we should have plenty of time in San Antonio tomorrow.  Besides, it is really hot out and we are out of water.  I don't want the kids to get sun burns either (we have applied sunblock - spf 50 - three times already today).

Baby Girl snowboarding

We head back to the visitors center to get our Junior Ranger patches and a refill of water, then are quickly going west on 70 until we get back to I-10.

12:20 pm - Somewhere on I-10 before I get to Texas I see a border patrol checkpoint.  We had seen one about an hour ago for west bound traffic, but I really didn't think much about it.  It did get the girls asking questions about why we did not allow just anyone into the state/country.  However, this time it was on the east bound side of traffic.  I don't know why, but I instantly got butterflies in my tummy.  I'm not doing anything wrong.  I am not illegal or transporting drugs.  I'm not sure why I am anxious.  Maybe because I have never experienced this before.

I pull up and get in line.  I pull forward.  The patrolman tells me to keep moving forward.  Keep going.  "Please pull forward ma'am!"  I didn't want to hit the dog!  I couldn't see it.  

He says "State your citizenship"  

Me  "What?"

Him "State your citizenship."

Me "uuuuhhhh Te.  uhhh U.S."

Him "are you sure?"

Me "Yes, we are from Texas"

Him - laughing "Well, that a country all it's own"

Me - try to laugh and not get in trouble.  I can't believe I failed such an easy test!

He looks in the windows "All passengers us citizens?"

Me "Yes sir"

Him "Have a nice day"

Oy.  I just spent a week with people asking me where I was from.  The answer - Texas.  Not United States.  Texas.  Never in my life have I been asked what country I am from.  I feel like such a dork.  

Watching the sand fall like a waterfall

I keep driving.  There is a point on I-10 where you can see Mexico, near El Paso.  Baby Girl loved this.  I pointed out to her where it was.  At one point I got off 10 and on to 20 so that she could actually see the 'Great Wall of Texas.'  She kept comparing to the Great wall of China.  We had to have a bit of a lesson on the differences, but I can see where the similarities are.  This kept her interest for quite some time.  Later on, a bit past El Paso, I encounter another border patrol.  I knew the answer this time!

Him - "All passengers U.S. citizens?"

Me - "Yes.  Do you want to see inside?"  He was looking harder than the last guy

Him - "No thanks.  Have a nice day."

Me -  "What?  You're supposed to ask my country of citizenship.  I studied this time!"

Him - laughing hysterically "Have a nice day."

We get all the way to Ft. Stockton.  I can't drive anymore.  I am so tired.  At this point my seat has a permanent indention of my rear end.  Tomorrows plan - Alamo and the River Walk.

Arizona Trip - Saturday

Saturday

 

6:00 am – Even after being up till midnight waiting on Big Boy to get back from the concerts (and another jamming session), the sun shines early.  It actually starts to rise around 4 am!  We all showered and enjoyed breakfast on the patio.  Minus the bird droppings, the patio is very enjoyable. Watching the birds find breakfast and giant lizards scamper around the shade and kids splash in the pool was very peaceful.

About two minutes later the phone rings.  Baby Girl answers.  The van will be waiting for us as well.  Great!  I’m glad they anticipated that.  I was going to call once we got the cart loaded.  Within a minute someone loud (yelling into a radio or something) arrived, ready to take our luggage for us.  Hubby would be glad to know that I’m not straining my back loading everything.  This guy seemed stressed and not very friendly.  Hardly even polite.  I’m glad I sent the kids to the first workshop without me.  Baby Girl would have mentioned (a bit too loud) that he wasn't as polite as the last guy.  He did load the van (kind of), then return it to the lot.  Then I joined the kids for the first of the workshops.

The 9 am banjo class was how to catch and keep attention.  The instructor showed the audience some bluegrass/traditional/cross picking things.  I didn't understand a bit of it, but it sounded good when he demonstrated.

During the second workshop Big Boy went to a banjo workshop while the girls (and most of the band) went to Mr. B’s ukulele workshop.  I got the last of our things out of the room so I could checkout on time.  These were the things I didn't want Mr. Rude to mess with or were forgotten in the rush.  Also, the cold food had to be put in the cooler and covered in ice.  I wanted them to stay in the mini fridge as long as possible.  Oh no!  It is so heavy.  I found a band member (17 yo boy) and recruited his help.  He wasn't in a workshop and he was willing to help.  We loaded these things into the van ourselves.  I checked out of the room and put two of the unused instruments in a friends room.  We didn't want those in this heat! 

When the second workshop was over our band had a meeting.  We needed to discuss the uniform for the evening, what songs will be played (there were changes from the original plan), the next show….

Nathan Hanna, Buddy Griffin and Tyler Jackson

By the time we were done talking the third workshop was nearly over.  You don’t want to walk in and be rude, so we went to lunch with another band member and his dad.  Of all the places we could have gone, new places, places that are not in Houston, the kids all chose Carl’s Jr.  Whatever.  It’s food.  I’m not picky.

After eating I stop by Auto Zone and try to find a quick solution to my license plate problem.  The sales guy took the plate off with his fingers before I finished talking.  Ugh.  I feel like a ditz. I thought it was going to take a tool and time.  He we put it in the back of the window – perfect.  I thought it was going to be too dark to see.  Now I just need tape.

I walk in to check my keys back in with the valet and ask the check in guy for tape.  Perfect – he as clear packing tape!  I get two long pieces and tape the pate onto the window.  I will deal with the stickiness later.  It will be less expensive and worrisome than a ticket.  Especially an out of town ticket.

Tyler Jackson

We made it back in time for the last workshop.  Big Boy was adamant about attending this one.  Tyler Jackson is a former student of Mr. B’s and a fantastic player.  I walk in the room and Big Girl is holding her arm wile Tyler is holding her Banjo.  Oy.  Turns out that she broke a string and he was sweet enough to fix it for her.  This was by far the best of all the classes.  I think most of it is because he was a former All Star and knows what my kids are learning, who they are learning from and what they need to hear.  I know it’s not all about them, but this was definitely the best workshop they attended all weekend.

More swim time.  We have a few hours until our performance so several of the band members went swimming, some took a nap.  We had checked out, so we just hung out by the pool listening to the performances and chatting with the friendly waitress.  In my grand plan, I had planned on leaving tonight so we can be at White Sands by morning and have a lot of fun playing all day.  Only problem with that is we don’t have a room to keep our things in for the day.  Oh well.  Just like everyone else here we will walk around with a banjo all afternoon. J  Sitting by the pool I smell the burgers being cooked.  Mmmmm.  I’m getting hungry.  Maybe.  I watch the lady grilling.  She is wearing those plastic gloves to make the patties.  Then she turns and gets a bun.  No glove change.  She takes the bun off the grill.  No glove change.  She grabs lettuce and cheese – with the same gloves on.  Then she gets the spatula and puts the meat on the bun.  Never taking the gloves off.  What is the point of wearing the gloves if she is still going to cross contaminate the food?  I am no longer hungry. 

Nathan Hanna

6:00 pm – Time for us to check in with our fearless leader.  We get the stage set up, get the sound stuff ready, move chairs and get everyone tuned.  After a quick run through it’s already time to get started.  It amazes me how quickly they can run through an hour long show.  With just 15 minutes to go before we perform, Mr. B has everyone leave the stage (they walk in playing for the first song) to get a drink and go to the bathroom.

8:00 – what a great show!  In the four years we have been with the band, there has only been one performance (that I have seen) that hasn't been absolutely stellar.  That wasn't tonight.  With many compliments and a standing ovation, the band left the ballroom.

Big Boy and I collect our instruments from our friend’s room while the girls have the valet bring the van around.  Big Girl comes back and says that the valet won’t bring it for her.  What?  I don’t want her to drive, don’t give her the keys.  Just bring the truck.  Whatever.  I let Mr. B know we are leaving so he doesn't wonder where we are.  The girls went back to the valet.  Big Boy and I catch up and Big Girl has the keys.  Apparently Mr. Rude doesn't like the fact we went out to the truck earlier and have already checked out.  Big Girl says that he told her he can’t bring it around for us.  She said he was rude too.  I’m getting frustrated and tired.  The kids are getting tired.  We walk allllll the way to the truck (with a broken foot!) and repack it.  

Like I said, he ‘kind of’ loaded it.  His idea of loading was to just put suitcases in the seats.  I’m at the point I just want to leave.  We finally go.  I get on I-10 and drive as far as I can.  Why is this taking so long?  I thought I would be near White Sands by 11 pm.  Ugh.  Time change.  I forgot.  I made it to Deming tonight.  That’s as close as we will get tonight.  I will just start early tomorrow.