The Great Update!

It's been over a year since blogging. So long the program didn't know me any more. lol

 

Life has been quite busy and I've been more caught up living it than blogging about it but for the sake of finishing what I started I will try to continue to document the exploits of my children's education since that is what the whole blog was about in the first place.

 

First I must update the happenings of my oldest boy.  When last I wrote we were in the process of visiting colleges and preparing for the application process.  Fox and I went to New York City to visit New York University which was his reach school.  We had a good time other than a long miserable bus ride and our car being stolen while we were gone.

 

 

We did a lot of walking and exploring and went to see a movie of the play Of Mice and Men starring James Franco on campus one night.  It was actually pretty cool.

 

Fox did early applications to NYU and Northwood University.  He was accepted at Northwood into the BA/MBA program, an accelerated study that will yield him both degrees in four years, his field is finance.  Because he applied early he was lucky enough to be awarded the Presidential Scholarship which is $10K a year renewable for 4 years.  In addition to that he competed for the DeVos Entrepreneurial Scholarship in which you had to present a business idea in writing and then a few were invited to the next step which was to do a 5-minute presentation to a panel of judges.  He made it through the entire process and was given an $11K scholarship renewable for 4 years.  In addition to these, he also received the full amount from FAFSA and signed up as a National Guard Reserve. 

 

In February of his Senior year he started attending drill weekends and did his Basic Training at Fort Jackson immediately upon graduating.  Yes, it was quite a whirlwind for a few months as he put everything together but I'm excited and proud over how he made it all happen.

 

 

 

Benjamin finish his freshman year of high school in the top 15 of his class.  He played JV Soccer but I was unable to get him to try any other clubs or activities.  Last summer he attended a camp at Ferris State University - Grand Rapids about Digital Media Software which he enjoyed.  Truth be told I think he more enjoyed staying with his uncle and having some independence away from his siblings and parents. (wink)  I'm still trying to steer him to some future plans.  He really just does not know what he wants to do yet.  I find it interesting that the child who has been in public school the most is the one that seems to have the least direction.  Time will tell. He and Ethan volunteered as 4H camp counselors over the summer as well.  E helped in day camp and B did his first stint as an overnight counselor and rocked it!

 

 

Ben is now almost done with his Sophomore year and he did a double sport for Fall, Soccer and Cross-Country (which he received his first Varsity letter).  Since his time with uncle last summer and going to the gym and rock climbing wall and watching American Ninja Warrior non-stop for months he has become quite the body-building enthusiast.  He has completely changed the way he eats concentrating mainly on veggies, proteins, nuts, and fiber.  Plus he has developed a regular weight lifting routine, finding a good balance (in my opinion) between pushing himself and taking days off.  He also joined the Bowling team this year and received a Varsity letter and Most Improved Bowler award.

 

 

 

 

 

Ethan my youngest had a pretty uneventful end to 8th grade other than competing in a few Forensic tournaments.  He and his friend Noah did a really funny Duo but didn't really get the kudos for it but they did a great job and had a blast working together.  Ethan ran 8th grade cross country but did not do track.  He did join a rec baseball team but I don't think his heart was really in it.

 

I will refrain from expounding on my disdain of our home district at this time since I never intended this blog to become a slam book but there have been many things that have eroded over time.  Since my daughter first entered the high school back in 2006 up to when my second graduated in 2015 it has lost a lot of programs, classes, and good leadership.  Bottom line is the students are suffering for it.  Thankfully Fox has always been an independent seeker of knowledge and rounded out his schooling with many online classes.  My answer to this decline is school of choice.  I really wanted to move both Ben and Ethan to a new school for 2015-16.  However Ben is not one who deals with change well and  insisted he wants to finish at NBHS.  Ethan however, is much like his sister in that he leans toward the creative artistic end of the scale of which NB has nothing much to offer.  So he agreed to a brave move.

 

Ethan started his freshman year of high school at Oxford Community Schools.  There were two focuses in the beginning, one their Biomedical program since he always had an interest in medical research as a career, and two, Men's Choir.  I won't tell you it was all roses and sunshine.  The first couple months were a bit of a struggle trying to fit in and make new friends but he persevered and made a lot of great friends through choir and theater.  He participated in cross country, had a small part in the fall production "It's a Wonderful Life," went to choir "Boot Camp," worked on the crew for the spring production "Mary Poppins," and got to be part an amazing concert of Dan Forrest's "Requiem for the Living" with the Oxford Choirs, Rochester College choirs and guest conductor Dr. Hugh Floyd.  In fact his musical experiences were so incredible that he has declared that as his career path.  He started taking private voice lessons and will be attending Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp this summer to which he received scholarships to cover nearly half of the cost.  He has been teaching himself piano and guitar but will get to have some formal training next year in his Piano class at Oxford.  This thrills me to no end.  I've always wished one of my kids would pursue a career in music. Although I'll not get my hopes up to high....

 

 

 

 

So that's just a few things that have been going on in Parton World.  I'll try to keep better updates for the next few years.  Have a great day Wildcats!  or Broncos!  or Timberwolves!



What's My Line?

Wow. I really had intended to do one more post in June but time just slipped away from me.  The week after school got out Fox started his Segment 1 Driver's Training which lasted three weeks. Every morning we were up to town at 8am, then off an running from there.  He still has 3 driving sessions this week then we're done until Winter when he'll do Segment 2.  Finally received his last report card. Intro Business, Intro Macrobiology, and Geometry he got an A- in, AP US History a solid B, and sadly Intro Chemistry ended with a C+. Ew. That was his last class of the day and they had to leave early many times to get to track meets so it became difficult to keep up at times.  Interestingly he did better in the 10th grade science class but I think it was more the circumstances, although he did comment that chem just wasn't really "his thing."  Still waiting for the results of his AP US History Exam, hoping for a 4 at least so it can count as college credit.  Fingers crossed.  If he's not playing Age of Empire on the computer or checking his investments, you can usually find him walking or running the trails.  Yesterday he participated in the Freedom Run 5K in North Branch, finishing 5th overall and 3rd for his age group with a time of 18:55, his best yet.  We've had a couple meetings with the new cross country coach and they have been getting together for group runs two mornings a week but because of DT he couldn't run with them yet.  The coach and several XC members and hopefuls ran yesterday too which was a pleasant surprise to see the comraderie beginning already before the season has begun.  Coach took 1st in his age class and one of our freshmen girls placed 2nd as well. 

Ben and Ethan have also been running a bit themselves in preparation for a few open races.  Ethan really looks up to Fox and his exercise dedication and even does a weight workout with big brother from time to time.  B & E also tried the Pedal Pull yesterday for the first time, since Ben was the only 12 y.o. he got a trophy but it was very challenging to pedal the semi because his legs were too short.

All Ben's paperwork is turned in for Chatfield so he is officially transfered. He will hopefully play soccer for the school team if they have a parent volunteer to manage it but if not I ran into the gentleman who runs the North Branch Rec Soccer at the Freedom Run and found out there is a 7th and 8th grade team through that program that does some traveling but the games are much closer than the AYSO games which would make things easier.  Benny is now an all-out roller-coaster fanatic and got to go to Cedar Point with his aunt last week much to his delight.  They practically shut the place done cuz Ben just didn't want to leave, by the end he was riding by himself because his aunt and cousin where exhausted and didn't want to ride any more!  I'm glad he enjoyed himself, next on his list.....Six Flags-Chicago!

Pigs are doing well but when we weighed them last week they were significantly under where they should be by now.  200lbs would be ideal but ours were 140, 140 and 160.  However we still have time to push them, feed is now doubled, and we're adding eggs, milk, and extra scraps to their diet.  The heat is a challenge and we need to go out several times a day to water them down and make sure they have mud holes to lay in and keep cool.  They really are hilarious to watch, like three big, stocky, dogs.  I kid you not, they even have a bark.  Was fortunate to purchase an old pick-up truck from a farmer up the road that still has plenty of get-up-and-go left in it and got it for a great price.  Now I don't have to borrow a truck to go scrap or pick up mulch, or even building supplies.  yeehaw.  I'm a true North Branchian now!

Ethan has been quite the animal hunter as he's been the past few summers.  He's always out by the pond with a net catching things. Mostly frogs and turtles.  He even discovered a turtle laying eggs and took a picture.  In another couple weeks we'll probably see the little shells popping up.  Snakes are always a good find too.  After requesting one for nearly a year he finally got his wish as I responded to a email for a rabbit relocation.  Ethan is now the proud owner of a very sweet Netherland Dwarf bunny who is very lucky to have an inside 'apartment' especially in this heat!

With all the discombobulation Alexandra has been having with her higher education choices Fox and I have been having many conversations about education in general, both from the aspect of what he'd like to have under his belt at the end of high school, what he'd like to pursure as a career, and where he wants to attend college.  He's open to making sure he has a well rounded experience that will result in a strong college application, ie: good grades, athletics, volunteer work, involvement in some type of school club, as many AP classes as he can achieve, and hopefully some type of work experience or internship.  After having his Intro Business class last trimester he is very disappointed in the teacher who unfortunately is the only faculty that teaches the business classes and there aren't many of them that our District high school offers.  I sent him the link of online classes available and he is looking for some that might fit into his plans.  If he finds any that are worthwhile I told him I go to bat with the principal and superintendent to see that he can work it into his high school credits.

My thoughts on education have been in an upheaval lately. I see the benefits of homeschool and public school but neither are the perfect fit.  This new experience with the charter school will be an interesting addition to my sociological experiment.....but will it be the absolute answer?  Time will tell.

On the agenda for the near future..... swimming lessons for Ben and Ethan, Discovery Camp for Fox, 4H Day Camp for Fox and I (he a counselor, me a teacher), 4H Overnight Camp for Ethan and I (he a camper, me a teacher), initial meeting to begin setting up the Lapeer County 4H Citizenship Academy (a paid gig!), and hopefully getting more work done on my stagnating kitchen project. 

Kicking up the AC....they're talking 100 degrees for the 4th of July.  What!?