If Week One was survival mode, Weeks Two and Three were all about figuring out our rhythm—even if that rhythm involved a few tears (from both kids and Mom). We’re still learning, still fumbling, but slowly finding what works for our family.
One big breakthrough was realizing that homeschooling doesn’t need to look like a traditional classroom. At first, I felt like I was pushing, pushing, pushing—constantly trying to make it look “school-like.” But the more I stepped back, the more I saw that the beauty of homeschooling is in the real life moments. It’s in doubling up and doing two days in one when we need to. It’s in sitting back and letting them soak things in at their own pace. It’s in reminding myself that this isn’t about re-creating school at home, but about building a life of learning.
Of course, real life also included a whirlwind weekend trip to Vegas. While there, we had the joy of meeting Tyson James, a Christian rapper the girls were excited to see—and the added privilege of filling his family’s freezer. We balanced the work with a little fun too: the Rainforest Café, the Bellagio fountains, the Eiffel Tower, and even the shark aquarium. A little neon desert adventure tucked into our homeschool journey.
Back home, the girls kept surprising me with how much “school” doesn’t look like school at all. Jayme has been learning how to drive a stick shift (and honestly, drives better than most men between 16 and 50). Both girls helped change a tire, worked alongside Dad in the shop, and even pitched in on marketing videos. That’s math, mechanics, and media rolled into one—pretty solid education if you ask me.
One of the best parts of these weeks has been connecting with other homeschool moms who’ve reassured me that everything really will be okay. The girls are fed, safe, learning, and growing. They’re practicing math, reading, and writing, but also gaining practical skills that will carry them well beyond textbooks. That reminder has been so refreshing.
And then there are the moments you can’t make up. Like Paisley at the vet clinic with me, witnessing the docking of puppy tails—and proudly bringing one home in a test tube. I now have a photo of her holding puppy tails and fingernails, grinning ear to ear. Forget sugar and spice—apparently that’s what little girls are made of.
Weeks Two and Three may have been messy, but they were also rich with reminders of why we chose this path. It’s not about perfect lesson plans. It’s about weaving learning into life itself, and finding joy (and sometimes puppy tails) along the way.