I love August so much! It’s the beginning of another trip around the sun for me and this year I will be 54! Last year could have gone a different way when I was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive disease, but here I am this year again thanks to the wondrous combination of modern science and holistic care, celebrating my birthday! I went out on the lake this morning to enjoy some stand up paddleboard yoga, and am reveling in all the summer glory of the farm. We have six horses here, dogs, cats, and bees along with blueberries and apples. I am so looking forward to seeing this place grow even more over the next two years. We have big plans!

This is a month of sunshine and sunflowers, lakes, and fun – and here in the deep south, it’s also time for back to school. School down here begins this first week of August or the second week depending upon your program. We are beginning on August 20th this year for our little 14 year old (he can be six feet tall, but he’s still my baby!) – our last child in school!

The things we are celebrating in this beautiful month:

August 6th- The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ

August 8th- My Birthday!

August 10- School starts!

August 15- The Dormition of St. Mary

August 28 – our oldest child will be 23! Doesn’t seem possible! 

Ideas for Celebration:

• Making a  beautiful triptych to celebrate the life of St. Mary.  There are many wonderful ideas regarding this on the Internet.
• We have about another month or two of tubing, swimming and water park availability to us, so we hope to take advantage!
• Camping – it can be super hot here, but I am already making camping in the fall a priority. We went in June and it was hot but fun!
• Gazing at the stars
• Walking in the mornings
• Working out. I have had good success combining gym memberships so I can do some HIIT workouts and some yoga based activities. Super fun!
• Making delicious meals!

The Domestic Life:

This a good time to take stock of needs for fall/winter in clothing, shoes, outside gear, school supplies, art supplies. When our children were little, this was the time I always looked at our woolen clothing. Yes, even down here in the South it can get cold to be outside in the fall and winter, and I am a big believer is preserving bodily warmth for babies and small children.

I also think this a great time to go back to manners.  Children are often in an expansive place with summer weather and may need some help in remembering school behavior, work ethics and manners!  I like opening the first day of school with an introduction to how the space works for homeschooling, expectations and the like.

Getting back into a rhythm that supports school is also a huge help with that.  Rhythm is a key word for this month and the structure of the rhythm of school for homeschooling does us all good!

Meal planning gets us through because I am too busy to have to spend a lot of time every day planning.  So, I like to plan 2-4 weeks of meals and shop. Generally over the summer I have been shopping less in bulk as there have been people here with the numbers varying daily. However, I will say I think leading up to the election that I am guessing that prices will rise, so I am stocking up on things for fall and winter now. 

Homeschooling:

We are jumping into ninth grade (for my third time!)  I am really looking forward to this. We are doing some classes through a homeschool hybrid for high school and will do some of our own blocks and courses. Our son has kickboxing/boxing and Sea Scouts along with the farm and volunteering to keep him busy. I love the quote from The Waldorf Family Handbook that says that the goal of high school is to prepare them as “free independent individualities and to orient them realistically to the world outside of school.” I have always taken that as the mantra for high school! Be prepared for life.

Our other two children are adults and living their own lives. 🙂 They have jobs and are still super involved with horses. Both are back in our area which is so wonderful to have them close.

Self-Care and Rhythm:

My biggest priorities right now in addition to homeschooling and working outside the home are my workouts, medical appointments and self care. The other thing I have penciled on my rhythm for fall is Thursday mornings to meet with a group of ladies from my former place of worship. We have a new church that is closer to the farm, but I am happy to be part of this group too. This helps anchor me for life!

I want to hear how August is shaping up for you! How is school looking?  I have been very busy doing homeschool consulting this month! If anyone needs help with homeschool planning or planning for family life, please email me at admin@theparentingpassageway.  My rates for a half hour phone call are super reasonable and I have helped lots of moms this month!  Please let me know if I can help you!

Lots of love and many blessings,
Carrie