the value of homeschooling, according to a 12 year old

Part of our ex-pat package includes private school tuition.  Hmmm.  That is hard to pass up!  Could I please take that tuition money and use it for the Larson Private Home School?  I would love to pay myself 3 times (for 3 children) the tuition rate of the schools to which we've applied.  My husband and I both ask ourselves, "how can we pass up the opportunity to have our children in private schools?"  The thought really never occurred to us before - we're born and raised public school people and state university grads.... now fans of home school as well!

Well, one of our issues is that we moved in the middle of the school year.  Works well when you're homeschooling.  And to be honest, I thank God that I was homeschooling from the start of this year.  This is where I am convinced of His Plan.  I often questioned my sense that I should homeschool this year... Now, boy if I had not begun homeschooling just one child this fall - how could I possibly imagine homeschooling all three of them at this point?   

Recently my son had a visit at a private school in London.  We've explained to the children how expensive it is to pay the tuition for these schools.  To be honest, I was a bit nervous about how he'd fare, being home this whole year.  Especially given the fact that the school admissions told me they would be assessing him.  They had previously told me that his application was "insufficient" - mostly because I was homeschooling this year.  That's an entirely separate blog entry though.  Well much to my delight, after his visit, he said the school seemed "easy" and that "they didn't do much".  He went as far as to say that he thought he aced the assessments (this particular child has never been too humble).   And furthermore, if the tuition of this private school was around $30,000 per year, well then homeschooling tuition, he said, "should be about 100,000".  I tried to hide my absolute sense of satisfaction.  It was nearing Mother's Day, and that sort of innocent, out-of-the-mouths-of-12-year-olds comment was all that I needed.  No wrapping required!

We need a home in order to *home school*

After more than 5 weeks in London, we will finally move into our home tomorrow.  We've rented a town house, which although small, is on three levels.  We've been in a flat - an apartment with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, furnished living area and kitchen.  It's been lovely, but....

We're still essentially living out of suitcases.  An air shipment was delivered 10 days ago which included some toys, books, and basic kitchen items, but truly, we do not have our stuff yet.

I think, I hope, I believe, that once we are home, then homeschooling will go better.  We've been struggling a bit, and I can admit I have not done my best at teaching the kids because there are so many phone calls, emails and details that we've been working out as part of the process of settling here.

How long will it take for us to settle into our home?  When will we feel like we have a home school routine established?  I'll keep you posted.   For now I continue to hold onto the hope that the kids are learning by this experience!!