Leaving the nest

My little bird has left the nest for the first time... and I survived! LOL. Cameron had his first day of Nature Awareness Camp today. Just a half day camp at a semi-local locale. But it was our first time apart... sniff... sniff. I've never just left him somewhere like that. Yesterday he had a few moments of tearful panic and begged Cassia and I to stay with him all day, but today was not even a backward glance. In fact, he barely took the time to say goodbye when I left!

As far I can tell, they went into the woods on a scavenger hunt for signs of wildlife: tracks, dens, droppings, etc. There was something about finding a den that T6 had made a long time ago (T6 was in their weekly school year homeschool nature awareness program) and leaving the things they found as gifts to the wildlife so that they would leave gifts in return. I'm not sure he completely understood that one, because I'm not sure I understand what the heck he's talking about, lol. They also played games and climbed trees and jumped on a trampoline. It really sounded like a good time though I really wish I could be there too. Not because I don't trust him alone or that I want to control the situation or anything like that... it just sounds like fun and I'm missing it! ;)

While he was gone, Greyson took a nap and Cassia and I watched Disney's The Little Mermaid. Educational, I know. ;) I was considering finding an online copy of Hans Christian Anderson's The Little Mermaid and reading that to her so that she could hear the "real" version, but before I knew it, it was time for Cameron to come home. Maybe I'll do that later in the week though, now that I've found it.

Once Cam was home, he played an hour of video games (I changed the Game Rules so that he only has to be cooperative with the things I ask him to do to get his game time and is no longer linked to whether or not he does schoolwork) and then wanted to watch a movie! I told him no way. I offered to read Harry Potter. No. I offered to help him read a Star Wars reader. No. I offered to read a Magic School Bus book. No. *sigh* After a lot of whining, I finally made them realize that a book was the only option they had as far as stories go. They agreed to a MSB because "those would be the shortest." Again *sigh*. But they did end up really enjoying the story. It was one we'd never seen/read before and I think it may have been the first one ever written! (The Magic School Bus Explores the Waterworks) Anyway, those are the times that I think that unschooling would be a much more painless way of doing things... but then again easier doesn't mean better. Anyway, I've been thinking lots on that whole topic but I will save my rants and ponderings for another day.