Off to camp

My mom and I took Lizzy up to Vermont Monday afternoon then to Not Back to School Camp (NBTSC) Tuesday. Monday night we stayed at a hotel with a pool and jacuzzi so Lizzy and I got some good bonding time in before the long separation. We've been apart for a week or two before but camp is tough for me because I can't talk to her for the whole week. This year is easier for us both because we both had a better idea what to expect. Packing was much better and the anxiety level was down for the both of us. It still ain't easy though. On the way home I asked my mom how she could have stood to drop me off at college, drive 12 hours back home and know she wouldn't see me for 3 months. She said lots of my dad reminding her that this was the goal. Raising me to be strong enough to want to leave home. I hope I am so brave when my time comes. I have feeling my Lizzy will want to move farther and faster than I ever dreamed of. As hard as it is to let go I couldn't be prouder of how brave and adventurous she is.

Think Tank Worcester

Yesterday Lizzy and I went to the open house for Think Tank Worcester which is new and offering classes for home schooled teens. The lady who started it with 2 home schooling moms is a science teacher so the are offering lots of science classes. Lizzy wanted to do the creative writing class but it is on Monday nights and she is working then. She got to chat with the guy running the class and he was very cool. He immediately starting talking directly to her which was great. I get frustrated with people always talking to me instead of her. She is taller than me for goodness sakes just ask her what she wants! Anyway writer guy was totally cool and maybe next term we can catch his class at a different time. Instead she decided to take US History. I know the lady teaching it. My sister used to take care of her daughter like 10 years ago and she also used to run a yo-yo school that Liz was involved with 4 or 5 years ago. She is teaching history form a liberal perspective so Liz and I are cool with that. The first thing they are doing is putting Columbus on trial. Sounds fun! So the unschooly girls schedule for the fall is Mondays- work 5-9, Tuesdays- US History, Wednesdays- Saori weaving, Thursdays- Piano + work 7-9:30, Sundays- work 10-12 + Young Neighbors in Action meeting or World of Darkness RPG which she is game master for. Pretty busy schedule.

But first we will take a regularly scheduled break with NOT BACK TO SCHOOL CAMP!!!!!!!!!!

Faith and Religion

Lizzy and I had an interesting talk tonight about faith and religion. It's hard for me to remember sometimes that I don't have to be defensive but just listen to her and hear her. I've been worried by what I see as her very negative and judgmental attitude towards anything Christian lately. Her attitude towards the bible is it is a story book written by people who heard voices in their heads and is an unreliable source to base your life on. While I do not disagree with her on the whole I worry about how vocal she is about it. Most of my concern is because she is joining a group called Young Neighbors in Action through a local Catholic church. My best friend runs the group so she gets Liz. She has no problem with Liz disagreeing or asking questions as long as she is not disrespectful to the other kids. That's where I worry based on some of her most recent ideas. She was able to let me know tonight though that she is cool with people believing whatever they want but she wants to be able to be honest with me about how she feels. OH RIGHT! Light bulb moment. I remember now I'm not raising her to be a nice obedient girl. I'm raising her to be an independent thinker. I almost forgot. So bring it on little heathen child. Do not go gently into that good night. Down with the man! And next time I forget to listen be sure to remind me AGAIN.

Labor Day weekend

We had a mostly good weekend here. Saturday was quiet, Lizzy went to hang with her peeps and I stayed home and did some picking up. Sunday I took Lizzy and her friends to the Spencer Fair for a few hours. I was sent off to fend for myself and wandered around looking at the exhibits. I saw bunnies and cows and chickens. It was pretty good but I was bored after about an hour. But then I happened across a band called Scarlet Fade playing and they were pretty good. Four teen siblings from CT. Their voices were nice and the songs were good. I called Lizzy to come hear them but she was on the Ferris Wheel with my sister. She had already heard them though and liked them too so I picked up their CD. Today my sister and nieces came over and helped Lizzy and Charles and I CLEAN the house as a b-day present for my mom. We threw away everything we could decently get away with whiteout freaking my mom out and went to town. My mom will be surprised and really happy. It was cool everybody helped. Even though Liz said she wasn't going to she ended up staying home to help. The kitchen and bathroom are downright sparkly. Tomorrow I'll finish up the living room and dining room and vacuum. Lots of labor on Labor Day but very satisfying.