tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359265622024-10-09T07:30:16.863-05:00Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.comBlogger255125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-42276862126372624242015-08-09T14:36:00.002-05:002015-08-09T14:43:12.827-05:00

Here is my July entry from Home/School/Life magazine. The image is a little off. Hopefully they can fix that. I share it here in it's entirety. Lately, I keep thinking back to a dance class my oldest daughter took when she was four. It stands out in my mind as one of my early parental blunders. She didn’t want me there, you see. It was an “all by myself” moment which I&

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-82841264025069667832015-05-23T22:40:00.002-05:002015-05-23T22:40:22.388-05:00

I've been intending to post a link! This month I wrote about rhythms and routine, and I shared a photo from my daughter's lovely collection from her China trip! photo by Maddie Simmons I am looking forward to things getting settled again. I yearn for a routine that includes all the things I have come to expect in my day-to-day life. Most urgently, I am looking forward to planned time

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-61721451316406100642015-04-21T09:21:00.002-05:002015-04-22T09:05:12.868-05:00

The project on the kitchen counter right now is root beer. Munchkin boy has been talking about Ginger Bugs and fermentation and he filled the house, this past weekend, with a smell that carried me back to Boothill Museum in Dodge City where you could take a seat at the bar and order a sarsaparilla. The project on the kitchen table involves black spray paint, old photo frames that now look shiny

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-63330543836501013182015-04-14T23:22:00.000-05:002015-04-21T09:05:32.644-05:00

I'm feeling very much like our German Shepherd, counting family members, worried that some of us are missing. This has been her routine since the beginning of time with us. If anyone is missing, she paces the house, nudging each of us with her nose as if trying to ascertain whether or not she is losing it, or if there really is someone missing. Nancy (the German Shepherd) seems a bit sad that

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-50257492989117036272015-04-10T22:19:00.000-05:002015-04-14T22:20:44.444-05:00

Sorting through Subjects in an Everything-is-Connected Manner of Homeschooling is the title of my April entry at home/school/life. Here's a bit: Our family takes an “everything is connected” approach to life, but some people prefer to break the world into subjects, perhaps for the sake of being thorough (or because the setting of school requires it of them). It gives you more of a checklist

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-13828510586908243052015-03-27T23:22:00.000-05:002015-03-29T23:23:07.874-05:00

So there was a contest held locally for short movies/films. The hubby was intrigued, and next thing I now, he's talking to the kids about joining him for a project. We were unable to participate in the actual contest, but we did spend a weekend putting together our own movie, trying to follow the same guidelines just to see if it was something we could do. Who knew that you could spent 6 or 7

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-46110374862685879002015-03-21T07:30:00.000-05:002015-03-29T23:12:20.899-05:00

I've been reading day-in-the-life farm pieces and was inspired. I used to journal our days frequently when the kids were little. It feels a lot harder to do these days! Since I selected, St. James Day, however, it is an unusual day to document. It is something of a ritual, a family holiday, bowing to the basketball enthused portion of our family (and extended family)... 6:00am: The hubby and I

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-4112655270419522752015-03-18T12:36:00.000-05:002015-03-18T12:36:12.435-05:00

My latest post for Home/School/Life has been up since Monday and is getting many shares. I expected it to hit home with a lot of homeschooling parents, and among those who unschool especially. I've been pleasantly surprised by the positive feedback I've gotten from outside the homeschool community. Colored, as it may be, by the fact that many are people who know my kids personally and can attest

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-79350296547146459402015-03-12T06:15:00.000-05:002015-03-20T21:17:15.324-05:00

A Family Night Game, created by my son. It was a fairly complex nation-building type of game, and we enjoyed it,  (though we did end the evening by giving him feedback and  ideas for improving the game). I think we will be  playing it again.  One unfortunate side effect of homeschooling is that since you (the parent) spend a lot of time immersed in hands-on

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-89219205278738313812015-03-04T22:15:00.001-06:002015-03-04T22:15:13.972-06:00

So it hit me today. I mean, really hit me. A few tears, even. I have an adult child. Not of drinking age yet, but legally an adult. Nearly a year in, as a matter of fact. How has this taken so long to sink in? She has been talking about leaving home... I guess it has all been theoretical until today. Don't get me wrong. I'm entirely supportive. I can't wait to see where she goes and what she

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-81657460984457554502015-02-26T19:56:00.001-06:002015-02-26T19:56:51.600-06:00

Too many good intentions! Too much going on. This short month has gotten away without me. Now that it's almost time for March, here's a link to my February entry at Home/School/Life: Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda – Homeschooling Better, After the Fact An excerpt: "And as I’m being honest, I have to remember that any bit of arm twisting I might have done to prepare her for this test before it was

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-74519801980503388272015-01-31T08:58:00.002-06:002015-01-31T08:58:53.578-06:00

This one actually entertained me. Click here. (link to Buzz Feed) Do More of What Makes You Happy

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-30929385655180893532015-01-20T17:59:00.002-06:002015-01-20T17:59:48.899-06:00

I nearly forgot to link my entry from this month's Home/School/Life. You can find it here. “Can we build a wall?” the members of my family asked. “Would it remain standing? Could we put an actual door in it?”

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-37522035838156590662015-01-01T22:00:00.000-06:002015-01-01T22:00:25.539-06:00

First published at Inside My Head, Friday, October 17, 2008 My son is prepping for his birthday. He says he wants lots of stuff on his list so that he will be surprised with what he ends up with."How do you spell, remote control airplane?" he asks.RR. Dad's letter. That's just like a K. Only you close up the top.EYou know how I know E? It's easy to remember even though it's not in my name.

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-41614326641088082732014-12-09T22:54:00.002-06:002014-12-09T22:54:29.587-06:00

My new entry is up at home/school/life. You can run right over and read the whole thing here. I would like to say that after so many years of unschooling, it is easy now to trust, to embrace the sometimes jerky starts and stops, the sudden braking when you thought you were accelerating and vice versa. I would like to claim I have learned better, but I am still guilty of embracing those old

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-81891471298649109892014-12-01T18:56:00.002-06:002014-12-01T18:56:23.564-06:00

"Back when I used to believe I was an alien..." my son said. I was glad he brought it up, because I've often wondered what he remembers of the elaborate tales he used to tell us of the "planet he came from" before he joined us. He was in the 3-5 age range when he would tell these stories. First, I had to ask if he actually believed he was an alien.  He said, "Oh no. I just liked to

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-6147844312563626972014-11-25T07:55:00.000-06:002014-11-25T07:55:11.953-06:00

I need to take the time to sort my own thoughts and experiences with math, both for myself and for my children, but if you are unschooling (or homeschooling) -- which I assume you are if you have arrived here -- I highly recommend that you take the time to run (not walk) over to Laura Grace Weldon's blog and read... 1) Math Instruction versus Natural Math: Benezet's Example and 2) The Benefits

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-9504268181351312472014-11-20T08:20:00.001-06:002014-11-20T08:20:03.740-06:00

Last night the kids watched a movie after their dad and I went to bed. This is not unusual. The kids have been setting their own bedtimes since they were wee little. We've only had one rule from the beginning. If you are going to stay up late -- or at least past the point that other people in the house have begun to go to bed -- you just have to be respectful that others are sleeping. Staying up

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-36608415601366331642014-11-10T17:37:00.001-06:002014-11-10T22:19:16.170-06:00

My post on Raising Children Who Love to Write went up at home/school/life today. I had difficulty focusing that piece enough for a blog post. When it comes to the subject writing, I guess I can write and write and write! The fun part in preparing that piece was going back to look at my notes on what the kids were doing over the years. I'm sharing some of those journal entries here. Journal

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-56802937434398289392014-10-05T11:28:00.000-05:002014-10-05T11:28:12.819-05:00

Middle Munchkin sews. She's very good at it. Some days it spooks me, how good she is, because she reminds me sooooo much of my mother (the grandmother that she never knew). My mom was an incredible seamstress. She made a lot of my clothes when I was a kid. Most of them, in fact, until I was probably 7 or so. She made ALL of my dressy clothes, including prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses, and

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-74780547758403133222014-09-24T07:20:00.000-05:002014-09-24T07:21:03.607-05:00

Be sure to check out Home / School / Life Magazine where I am now a member of the blog team. I look forward to posting monthly notes there about life with teen/young adult unschoolers. I still plan to write here, as well. More frequently, perhaps?

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-5440782828372426882014-08-28T00:36:00.000-05:002014-08-28T00:36:16.076-05:00

Munchkin #1 is trying out college. She is half way through week two and it still feels a little strange. Strange to me, as Mom, anyway. We made it through 18 years without any type of formal schooling and now she's jumped in with both feet. She's got a daily schedule with someone else making recomendations for how she fills her time for several hours each day. I wasn't sure she was going to

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-43654790813007721772014-08-05T19:14:00.000-05:002014-08-05T19:14:07.262-05:00

4-H has been a big part of our lives, especially since we moved to our current location in Kansas. I was a 4-H member as a kid, as were my parents and my husband's parents. We don't have livestock, or even a house in the country anymore, but I have found 4-H a good way to connect with our new community and help us to put down roots where we started out as drifters. Munckkin #1, Evie, is

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-21439319078271774322014-07-17T19:59:00.000-05:002014-11-20T08:21:54.513-06:00

I've rarely been quick with an answer. I'm the person who more usually decides on a comeback far too many minutes late for it to be appropriately served, and I am still dwelling on a comment/insult/unexpected question hours later, determined to come up with an answer, even though it no longer matters, so that I'll be better prepared next time. When my son was little, he was once quizzed by a

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926562.post-42928863638847426202014-07-06T12:31:00.000-05:002014-08-10T20:31:30.879-05:00

I think it is safe to say that we are a family of introverts, though we enjoy the occasional stretch of time being out-and-about-with-people persons. The last several weeks have been full of go-go-go and we have been playing host. Two weeks ago we had a 4-H member from Michigan visiting. As part of the exchange trip, Middle Munchkin spent the week playing tourist in her own back yard and I spent

Tracy Million Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07566716982333768811noreply@blogger.com0