During this 2007-08 academic year, we have: Daniel in his second year of college at Spring Arbor; Julianna graduated from high school and currently a level one trainee at Ballet Magnificat in Jackson, MS; Angelina in her juniorish year as a homeschooled high schooler; Reubencito in the eighth grade in homeschool; Raquela in the seventh grade at home; Miranda in the third grade at home; and Alicia in the first grade at home.Daniel received the tremendous news of his acceptance to study for a semester at the University of Oxford in England. The program is called the Scholars' Semester in Oxford and the student lives in Oxford and attends school full-time there. There is one other Spring Arbor person going, his friend Faith; otherwise, he will be living, meeting, and studying with people he's never know before, in a place that he's never been to before. This is an absolutely amazing academic opportunity for him; he is nervous and excited about the challenge. He heads over on Jan. 3.
Julianna is a level one trainee at Ballet Magnificat, which means she has been in a "ballet school" (paying tuition and all) 5 days a week for 6 hours a day since last August, and she has had to hold a part-time job alongside to pay for living expenses. This is something that Julianna has dreamed about doing ever since she was literally 3 years old. It was a hard decision to have her go so far away at the tender age of 17, but we realized that this was God's plan for her and it has been pretty obvious that he pointed the way there for her.
Angelina is in her second year of studying with the Pioneers tutorial program from Jackson Area Home Educators with just some math and history at home. She will be looking to graduate next year ... so I guess we get a year off and then we are back to emptying the nest!
This year we are involved in another weekly homeschool program called CHALLENGE, which is also part of JAHE. A group of about eight families with kids in elementary and middle school grades are taking elements of classical curriculum together, mixing Latin and grammar with history and science. The families and children are also enjoying some fellowship as well. Reubencito, Raquela, Miranda, and Alicia are involved in this along with Kathleen.
Quickly: Angie continues to do Irish dance and to play sax in the homeschool band, and to do bible quizzing. This years she has also been assisting in teaching Irish. In summer 2007 Reubencito's team finished 2nd in the nation in bible quizzing, Young Teen Rookie B, and continues to quiz this year; he is also a member of the JAHE junior high, junior varsity, and varsity teams; he also continues on trumpet in homeschool band. Raquela is in ballet and gymnastics, is in the beginner band on flute, and is in her first year of quizzing. Miranda continues to do ballet. Alicia has baptized us into a new thing: after 18 years of parenting, she has made us into a soccer mom and dad. Reubencito, Raquela, and Miranda deliver a short paper route together for some spending money.
