Day 27 / 105 - XC

We added a new activity to our fall calendar.  Our son began running Cross Country.

In early August, he and I were attending the Open House for his Challenge B program.  In passing, his tutor mentioned that her daughter was at volleyball try-outs that evening.  Being new to the area and looking for activities for my children, immediately I asked her where her daughter plays volleyball.  She proceeded to tell me about a private school in the area, Arborbrook, that allows a certain number of homeschool students to participate on their sports teams each season.  Within the hour, my husband contacted the Athletic Director, discovered that Cross Country was a possibility, and signed our son up for the season (without him knowing).  

At first he wasn't completely sold on the idea, but he quickly began to adapt to his new running lifestyle.  Within a few weeks, he actually began to enjoy it.  Quite a bit.  His practice was held at a metropark that is essentially in our backyard.  His team was incredibly welcoming.  We couldn't have asked for an easier transition.

Since he was a toddler, we have always stated that our son would be a healthy distance runner.  Amazingly, he can move for hours.  And hours.  And hours.  Without ever tiring.  He still maintains this level of activity even as a teenager.  Running has been perfect for him.  

Middle schoolers run a 3K distance at their meets.  He started the season with a 13:43 3K.  He ended the season (on a noted hilly, difficult course) with a 12:48 3K, averaging a 6:52 mile.  He's excited for his future in the sport after he adds some additional endurance and strength training compliments of his father.  He's training for one more 5K to be held at the end of November.  

His coach asked the team to write an essay explaining how Cross Country has impacted their lives.  He was super excited to write this, and it correlated nicely with our Lost Tools of Writing curriculum.  I thought I'd end this post with my favorite paragraph from his essay:

I unwillingly moved to Charlotte with my family three weeks before I began Cross Country practice. At first, practice was a bit of an adjustment because I didn't know anyone, and I missed my friends from West Virginia. I felt awkward around my new teammates. But doing hard work with others, helps develop relationships quickly. By the first meet at Metrolina, I felt like I was part of a team. I was making friends with others, and within a short period of time, I was enjoying my new life in Charlotte. Arborbrook Cross Country was a large part of this.

Day 26 / 105 - Crayfish Dissection

Since we are again 're-cycling' in the world of Classical Conversations, this is a post that has shown up before.  For our week 7 Science project, my daughter and I dissected crayfish for the second time.  Truly, the only change for us is that our new CC Director is from southern Louisiana.  Therefore, this time we dissected crawfish.

Day 25 / 105 - Painted Elephants

We are enjoying a much needed fall break from Classical Conversations and having fun making use of many neglected art supplies.  We revisited this site for a few ideas.  There are some spectacular yet simple ideas there.

The elephant tutorial can be found here.  We used crayons, watercolors, and a black sharpie for our 'masterpieces'.  Our only tip is to make sure the watercolors are fairly thin.  Otherwise, it is difficult to see the crayon lines through the paint.

Day 24 / 105 - September Happens At The Table

I cannot believe it is October.  Daily, it's still 85 degrees in the south (with the exception of today, thanks to Hurricane Joaquin).  Being new to the south, I'm fooled in thinking that it is still August.

We had a very full September.  Classical Conversations, along with our children's extracurriculars, has kept us busy.  We had family visit early in the month.  I posted on Instagram that if you come visit me in Charlotte, I will buy you these donuts.  They are spectacular.  Each one is like a gourmet dessert.

I mentioned our trip to Florida.  I packed schoolwork and didn't unpack it until we returned home.  I don't even know why I bother.

Challenge B has introduced us to the Current Events/Debate strand.  Each week my son is assigned a premise, and he has to research the topic with support for and against the issue.  Ironically, I took this picture when he was researching, Whether tablets should replace textbooks in the classroom from his tablet. 

Many of the scientists we've studied this fall have warranted their own posts, but two that haven't were Copernicus with his heliocentric solar system and Faraday with his electric motor.  I never imagined homeschooling higher level sciences to be so fun! 

At the end of the month, we celebrated a birthday.  His birthday, but she made the cake.

#LifeHappensAtTheTable

Day 23 / 105 - Little Britches

This was the second book my son needed to read for his curriculum this fall which I read along with him.  I'm so glad that I did.  It has become a new favorite.

Set in early twentieth century Colorado, Ralph Moody tells the story of his childhood, along with his family's struggle, as they adjust to ranching life.  It reads like a combination between a Little House book and a classic western.  It only took me three days to finish it.

Ralph beginning working away from home when he was only 9.  My son wrote a persuasive essay on why it was necessary for Ralph to begin working at that young age and how his full-time work experience helped to shape him and his family.