May

Once a month update is better than once a year.  Progress.

Life has been the normal crazy.  There have been sleep-overs, and field trips, and classes, and clubs, and beach days, and legos, and drawing, and all sorts of activities.

We ended the month with a huge rain storm and flooded roads.  It's the rainy season, bug season, beginning of hurricane season.  So we've gone through our emergency supplies, made lists, used the expiring, restocked, etc.

We happened to be out running errands and weren't sure we'd make it home.  The roads were bad.  This picture is from a local newspaper- mine won't come out of my phone. 

This time of year also means gearing up for our stint of academics.  With co-ops and classes coming to an end for the summer we'll have more time at home.  I'm looking forward to it.  While I love all the opportunities, friends, field trips, exploration, and experiences the rest of the year brings, it gets hectic and I find myself antsy for the return of routine and structured 'get things done at home' time.  So school year round is a good fit for us- lots of academics in the summer, easy going academics and lots of activities through the winter.  Everybody's happy.

Our group celebrated the 'end of year' with a talent and art show; there is a profound sense of community that's hard to explain.  Of the kids coming together to share what they love and work so hard on.  Cheering for each other.  And being so happy to share it with family and friends.  Of contentment and accomplishment.  Every year I'm blown away by what these kids are capable of, everybody's enthusiasm, the huge volunteer effort that everyone puts into organizing and making it possible, and how beautifully it turns out.  I come away feeling happy, refreshed, hopeful, and inspired.  We feel very lucky.