Homeschooler.

I love the idea of being a homeschooling mom someday. I want to have a home full of books and art and music. I want to teach my kids fractions through baking and science through nature walks. I love the idea of getting to enjoy my kids on driving-free days and of creating a family culture where memories and experiences are shared with siblings.

(...Should I stop mentioning this to boys on the second date?

I digress...)

In high school, Mary and I used to plan how when we grew up we'd bring our kids over to each other's houses and homeschool together. We'd take them to the zoo and parks and she could do art classes and I would have them write and illustrate their own stories.

This week I stayed with one of my favorite families and while the parents were away for the day, I WAS IN CHARGE OF HOMESCHOOLING four of their youngest kids!!! I was so, so, so excited.

We went for a long walk, stopping to feed horses and to notice the colors in the field.

We baked shortbread, practicing multiplication as we doubled the recipe.

We cuddled up in the big chair and read out loud to each other.

When we couldn't find something we needed, we paused right where we were and spontaneously prayed about it.

IT WAS AWESOME.

Last night Russ and Lisa got home, and the kids were excited to tell them about their day.

I got big hugs and sincere thank yous.

Very casually, as we were setting the table for dinner, Lisa asked...

"Just out of curiousity...

did the boys get to,

um...

their schoolwork today?"

I glanced over to the desk in the corner and saw...

the carefully organized stack of notebooks and math flashcards and spelling words

all ready for...

you know.

Homeschool.

Knew I forgot something.