‘Growing Up’ Archives
Fire Station Field Trip!
After many years of sharing a variety of outings and field trips with our son, Ben, when he was younger, it was great fun to be able to have him host us on a trip to the fire station where he’s working as a part time resident firefighter this year. He was working a 24 [Read More]
Hoorah!
This summer, Ben participated in a two-month intensive fire service training academy through the Getchell Fire Department, Snohomish County Fire District #22. It was the first part of their 15 month resident firefighter program. He worked really hard and did well. [Read More]
Create Your Own Graduation Party
Reilly, Sarah, Ben, Taylor, Tanner After years and years of homeschooling together, five families from our local homeschool group decided it would be fun to throw a graduation party for our lovely young adults. We thought it would be a nice way to commemorate all the big [Read More]
Hard Work & Recognition
Sometimes people question the ideas of unschooling because they wonder how kids will learn to work hard if they’re not forced to do things they don’t want to do, or if they’re not given regular assignments or arbitrary tasks to accomplish throughout their [Read More]
A Day at North Bend Fire Training Academy
Ben has been participating in a fire service technology class for the past couple years at the Fire District 1 headquarters and training center in Snohomish County. There are about 20+ other students from various high schools in the area who also participate. Together, they [Read More]
Traveling Adventures
“And when the kids are old enough, we’re gonna teach them to fly…” Thank you, Dave Matthews. This song was playing as I watched Ben and his friend, a couple years ago, standing tall and carrying their backpacks as they walked slowly away toward the [Read More]
18 Years
My sweet son, Ben, turned 18 a little over a month ago. I’ve been thinking about what a pleasure it has been to be with him and watch him grow all these years. When Ben was six years old, I remember thinking very clearly about how much he had grown as a boy during the [Read More]
Not Back To School Camp!
At the end of August, when most teens are getting ready for school, Ben and a few of his lucky friends are happily anticipating Not Back to School Camp at Camp Myrtlewood in Bridge, Oregon. It’s a terrific camp for unschooling teens, created by Grace Llewellyn, [Read More]
Fire Service Adventures
Ben just finished a full year program, 1 ½ hours a day, of a fire service technology class. It was offered as a part-time elective program through the local school district, and classes were held at a nearby fire station, facilitated by active and retired firefighters. [Read More]
Camping & Tea Parties for Teens
In early June, our family enjoyed a camping trip with a few families from our homeschool group. It’s the fifth year we’ve done some type of camping together, and it’s been fun to enjoy this annual tradition. This year we stayed in cabins at Bay View [Read More]
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