I have often felt out of place in our homeschool co-op. Like the one time a bunch of the moms were standing around talking and it came out that I was the only one who had gone to public school. (P.S. I loved public school and I’m thankful my mama didn’t homeschool me.) I tried to blend. I didn’t even wear a single hippie skirt all year long! But I noticed the blank stares when I asked certain questions.
The event was Field Day. Here are the top three ways I felt weird.
1) The kids did a relay race involving a plastic spoon and a cheese ball. *Sidenote: the kids were warned not to RUN with the spoon. I chuckled over that one and considered sending it in to Free-Range Kids. But that isn’t what I’m blogging. At the end of the race the kids were allowed to eat their cheese ball (as long as it hadn’t fallen on the ground…again, chuckle). Norah had never tasted a cheese ball. I know, I’m an awful mom. She crinkles her nose, smells it, touches it with her tongue. Then gleefully eats it. And she begins loudly gushing to everyone within earshot, “I’ve never HAD a cheese ball. Mama, have you ever had a cheese ball? Oh it is so good!” Seriously, she hasn’t stopped talking about this glorious experience.
Perhaps I should have a food tasting day in the privacy of our home. She’ll taste her first poptart, moonpie, dr. pepper, fruity pebbles, grape crush, easy cheese, frozen chicken nuggets, spaghetti o’s. Don’t get me wrong, she’s had plenty of junk food. I just see now that there are missing elements to her repertoire.
2) Then we had lunch. I let Norah pack her box. She chose green peas, half a cheese/lettuce sandwich, a carrot, and edamame. Almost every other family ordered Papa John’s. Can you say “sore thumb?”
3) The Grand Finale: the ice cream truck arrived. More than a few moms glance at me with concern or ask “Are you going to let her get ice cream?” Of course I am! She chose a cotton candy twirl popsicle. Then announced to the whole group, “I’ve never gotten ice cream from an ice cream truck before!” Ok, that is simply not true. Rascal!
I loved the event. And I’m thankful to the moms who organized it. Norah and Cedar had a great time. Norah loves her friends there. And so do I. I’m proud of Norah for making healthy choices (she even does it when I’m not around). Homeschool is so new to me and I’m overly observant–mostly of myself. I also see that I don’t neatly fit into a group.
But then again, when does one neatly fit into any group?
Inexplicable Ways 