A Quiver Full: Opportunity Cost

This is a new term to me, "opportunity cost." I know all about the concept, just not the term. It has to do with economics and I came across it while preparing a lesson for my homeschool co-op. I thought it was a fitting time to run upon it, because I have often weighed the "opportunity cost" of our weekly commitment to our co-op. If you don't know that term, it basically means, for everything that we say "yes" to, it costs us some opportunity. For example, the fact that I am sitting here typing this blog entry means that I'm giving up the opportunity to fold the basket of clean laundry sitting on the floor next to me. Or, when I choose the cake, I have to say no to the brownies (or at least I should.)

Every Friday, we spend our day with about a dozen other homeschooling families. Our group uses the Tapestry of Grace curriculum as our common ground. This curriculum is a classical chronological history curriculum that rotates on a 4 year cycle. Which means we are 23 weeks away from completing all 144 weeks. This is an AMAZING accomplishment for this crazy mama!

When we committed to the co-op 4 years ago, I had my doubts. For one, it fell on Ryan's day off, which was a sacrifice. Also, meeting every week would require me keeping up with someone else's pace. Not to mention, I would have some responsibilities myself to contribute to the effectiveness of our time together. But, the group of people were moms I respected, I have a weakness for history, and I loved the idea of a strong community for my kids. So, we jumped in.

I have to say, for all of the sacrifices we have had to make, it. was. so. worth. it. The benefits have been too many to count. I mean for one thing, we're actually on track to finish an intense 4 year curriculum in 4 years. You fellow homeschoolers realize that's nearly unheard of. If it had been left up to me, we'd still be back in Egypt or Rome. Instead, we're chipping away at the Holocaust.

Secondly, these women have become my close friends. They encourage, challenge, and inspire me to be a better wife, mom, teacher, and Christ follower. Their prayer support has been so encouraging as they've prayed us to Ethiopia and home again. Last month, when I got there with eyes swollen from the good cry I'd had on my to class that week, they didn't even let me into a classroom. They sent me home and told me to enjoy a few hours of quiet while they cared for my children. They have loved my family well. I know that they will be some of our greatest prayer warriors when we head to the other side of the world. Of all the things I'll be leaving behind next year, they are a strong competitor for the most difficult.

My children have also been blessed beyond belief. Our kiddos love learning and it's largely because of the fun teaching they receive each Friday. Their classmates are their go-to friends and many of the moms have spoken truth into their lives too. They have been challenged to be adequately prepared for class each week, and that's the kind of peer pressure I can go for.

At the end of each unit (every 9 weeks) we try to have a unit celebration, where all of the classes come together and we do something fun to apply what we've learned. It usually involves the dads too, which is a great thing. I thought that this would be a good time to share some highlights of the last few celebrations we've had, since I didn't get them posted sooner!

Our most recent celebration was last month and all of the kiddos had to dress as their favorite person of the unit, which covered the first 25 years of the 20th century. They also had to research, write, and memorize a little blurb about their person. They posed as "statues" and whenever anyone approached them, they would begin to share their information. I didn't get photos of the older kiddos, but they did a great job too!

This is the class I teach, Upper Grammar

Do you recognize Teddy Roosevelt or A.A Milne's most popular character?

Henry Ford and Teddy Roosevelt

Amy Carmichael and Fanny Crosby

Susan B. Anthony and Fanny again.

Isaac and Lily's Lower Grammar class. I spy a Billy Sunday, a Babe Ruth, 2 Wright Brothers, and a Louis Armstrong, can you?

Last spring, we went to a Civil War re-enactment that takes place every 5 years here in NC. It seemed like a good idea at the time. But, it ended up being terribly hot and horrifically crowded. So, we didn't stay as long as we would have liked, but we still enjoyed some fun moments.

All of my Civil War kiddos, do you see how red those faces are? Bloomers and petticoats should not be worn in 90 degree weather. But then, who knew when Grammy was sewing them that the 20th of March would be so stinking hot?

The Battlefield

Exploring the civilian camp.

One of my kid's favorite celebrations was at the end of last year. The Rhetoric (read High School) students set up and operated a mock Ellis Island. Each of the classes established an immigrant neighborhood where they hosted each of the other classes. For example, we were Ireland, so we shared Irish music, soda bread, and made an Irish craft. Later, our class got to travel to the other immigrant neighborhoods of Poland, Italy, and Russia. But their favorite part was definitely their inspection time at Ellis Island.