{life with a curious and crazy 13 yr old}
The stretch has begun; Duende likes the arts school and wants to try it out so we will do our best to get her ready. Because she’s been free-schooled, we haven’t focused on the parameters generally prescribed in the time frame generally followed. Her paper math skills aren’t like other 8th graders, her writing isn’t as practiced, her social studies have not been linear. We have some time to catch up, but it will be a healthy dose of work for her. The pre-algebra workbook leers at her.
We’re not worried, she is certainly capable, and since it is her choice this is a great time to start practicing an independence with consequences (if she doesn’t do the work, it is her disappointment). But she is excited to try something new and it will offer many opportunities this area struggles to give kids her age. The classes are small and geared towards thinking creatively so that works for us. I’m not jazzed about the health requirements as it will take a monumental effort (mostly on hold, in frustration, with the systems of power) to get her early health records since we have given up allopathics as primary care many years ago. I am sure we will struggle with standardized testing (and refuse to prioritize it in any way) as it is a public charter when it comes up, too, but these are things we can manage in our own way.
Lately, she has been on a making roll. Her days off find her beading a ‘faberge’ egg, fashioning a cardboard corset (while watching a historical dress series, no pictures of it yet), weaving willow baskets, and making wytchy energy brooms for the doorways. She also made herself a new apron with embroidered pockets and trim. She’s read 3 books, done household chores, danced her pants off, cleaned her room (a feat in itself), bought a new doll and refurbished its clothes, and helped out at the shop. We’ve been setting aside more art and game nights with snacky dinners like quesadillas with J’s yummy flatbreads, or french bread pizzas with J’s baguettes, or wings and oven fries, or even just popcorn with our new favorite maple pepper spice from Spicy Staples. We’ve been playing Clue, Azul, and Trivial Pursuit with some new adjustments — we’ve added some newer Genus elements like pieces from modern TP, using Junior cards, and wild card expansion of rock/pop or film. I think she is hoping for some Princess Bride co-operative gaming, Apples to Apples, and Taco vs. Burrito tonight. Art nights have been focusing on watercolors lately, we’re going to start making our own nature watercolor paints and brushes soon to go with her homemade inks.
Today she is off to drill some holes in trees for sugaring, clean up the sugar shack and chop some wood. We may have missed our window for a full sugaring this year but we’ll still tap for some healthy sap and if we’re lucky at least a small boil. We like to at least have enough maple for our own needs for the year, or at least some celebratory syrup. I might trek out to gather some pine needles and willow bark for healthy teas, and assess the garden planning. If Duende still has enough steam left in her, maybe she will come help me with the seedlings today and tomorrow.
She doesn’t slow down much.
Rock Bottom Homestead 