Henry, 8 years old, 3rd GradeQ: What’s your favorite thing to do with your free time (before school, after school and on weekends)?
A: “Go on the computer or play with Bionicles. I also practice my karate and play with my sister.”
Q: What are some things you like about school? What are some activities with which you are involved?
A: “My top subject is Math! I get to be home with my mom and sister a whole lot, and I get to play extra! Unlike regular school, we get to study the Bible.” Henry started Karate, a homeschool co-op, and an art class in town this September, and continues in Cub Scouts, Team Kid.
Q: What are some of your favorite books? Why?
A: “The Harry Potter series are my current favorite… each one gets more gruesome!”
Q: What are some of your favorite memories from this past year?
A: “Starting home school – you get to be at home! I also loved the trip to Luray Caverns!”
Q: What would you like to do in 2011?
A: “If not at Christmas, I’d like to get a Dragonoid and Daarak Colossus.” (Bakugan toys)
Katie, 5 years old, unofficially Kindergarten
A: “I like to play with Pawsy (stuffed animal) or my Swimming Puppy, watch TV, read stories to Mommie, play games like Candy Land, and play on the computer.”
Q: What are some things you like about school? What are some activities with which you are involved?
A: “Math and Reading. We do fun things in math like adding and dot to dots. With Reading, you sound out letters and read sentences.” Kate started Ballet this fall, attends Team Kid, and a homeschool co-op.
Q: What are some of your favorite books? Why?
A: “Pinkalicious and pop-up books, Piggie and Gerald, and Fancy Nancy. They are fun and funny!”
Q: What are some of your favorite memories from this past year?
A: “Ballet at Ashley’s house, sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa’s, going to Grammy and Grampy’s. Going to Massachusetts and seeing cousins Jessica and Juliana even (especially) at the Topsfield Fair!”
Q: What would you like to do in 2011?
A: “If it’s sunny we can go to the park or to our friends’ houses.”
Derek, Head Estimator, PHB, Inc./Law Student
Q: What’s your favorite thing to do with your free time (before school, after school and on weekends)?
A: Free time? Wow. I've really had to redefine "free time" this past year. I haven't ran in ages. I bought a bike earlier this summer with delusions of grandeur. I love to exercise, but free time is a commodity and I love my family more. So I would have to say that my favorite thing to do is spend time with them...even if it's just plopping my larger-than-last-year-self down on the living room floor for a half hour and letting the kids crawl on top of me, or just drinking coffee with Sue on a Saturday morning . My first year of law school was great. Judging from the pile of books in our bedroom, I'm certain the second year will be much more of a juggling act. So, I'll take whatever free time I can get.
Q: What are some things you like about school?
A: Wow, that's a doozy! I love learning the law, and I really enjoy exercising my mind again. I think my favorite aspect are the occasions when I can put the smaller pieces of the picture together and see the big picture. Kinda like running to the top of a mountain. You've gotta pay attention to every footstep, or you'll twist an ankle. You sweat a lot, burn a lot of energy, maybe stumble off the trail every once in a while, but the view from the top is worth it.
Q: What are some of your favorite books?
A: Hahaha. I'd have to say my Contracts hornbook. But I've had no time for recreational reading this past year.
Q: What are some of your favorite memories from this past year?
A: We've had some fun family "mini-vacations". Dutch Wonderland with the kids and grandparents was enjoyable, as was our family trip up to MA. But my favorite was spending the weekend in Culpepper VA with Sue.
Q: What would you like to do in 2011?
A: There's a big difference between what I would like to do versus what I have to do. I'd like to take the family mountain climbing in the Alps (only during the warm season). But in reality, I'd like to get as many of those moments of family time as I can.
Susan, XXXIX years old, School Marm; CFO, COO Hills Fam
A: Ahh, good question…I’ve taken up knitting - my current attempt is a vest for Derek. Scrapbooking is out the window right now, unfortunately. I try to look ahead at the kids’ lessons and prepare for them. MOPS is still a part of my world. Oh wait, I just reread the question…FAVORITE things!?!? Coffee with Derek, laughing with the kids, spending time with family and friends.
Q: What are some things you like about life right now?
A: Without sounding too _____(whatever), I really do feel like God has given me/us such a great opportunity to homeschool the kids. It did take some adjusting, and I do have some rough days, but all in all, I love it. I feel so much closer to Henry and Katie. We are able to get to know each other so much better. I see Henry learning, and it’s amazing to watch he and Katie play together – they have a great relationship – and Katie is wowing me with what she can do! I think she’s wowing herself! If she isn’t some kind of take charge social director, I don’t know what she’ll be! It’s great getting to know other homeschooling families. This year this is working. We’ll take it year by year. But right now, I feel like this is where God wants us.
Q: What are some of your favorite books? Why?
A: I just finished a marriage book called “Love and Respect”, by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. It was fantastic. In a nutshell, we all need love and respect; however our felt needs differs dramatically (no duh). Men want to feel and be unconditionally respected just like women want to feel and be unconditionally loved. Sometimes the wife requires/demands/expects her husband to love her in ways that are inherently foreign to him while she (most likely unknowingly) is not respecting him in ways that he needs. Then he comes across unloving and she comes across disrespectful... the “crazy cycle” spins. Being kind in ways that the other will understand breaks the cycle. This really works. If your relationship needs a tune up or you want to help it not get squeaky, this is a good one. It comes from both a social-scientific and biblical perspective. Here’s the link if you’re at all interested in checking it out: http://loveandrespect.com
Q: What are some of your favorite memories from this past year?
A: How much time do you have? We had a great trip to Rhode Island this August! I got to see URI roommates and friends, and Derek and the kids got to see his mom, sister and nieces! Independently, we did a bunch of the same things, which was a hoot! We went up North again in October and had blast in Boston and at the Topsfield Fair. We also visited a friend and her kids (from Salzburg days) who live just a few towns over from Derek’s mom! More locally, my folks and we went to Dutch Wonderland in PA with the kiddos in May – great time! Henry is a big fan of roller coasters now, although these weren’t really all that big, and Kate rode the merry-go-round three times (a bit of a role reversal there!). We went to Luray Caverns in August and just visited Tuckahoe Plantation, boyhood home of Thomas Jefferson. Starting homeschooling is, of course, huge! Trying to Skype with friends…well, not everything turned up roses this year!! :\
Q: What would you like to do in 2011?
A: Celebrate my 40th somehow that doesn’t break the bank (let me know if you have any ideas!) Make another road trip to RI and have some time to catch some rays. Continue to support Derek well with his law degree. Go parasailing at a nudist colony – psych! – just wanted to see if you were still paying attention! Hope to catch up with/see as many friends and family as possible! Love to you all!
