Back to school

A Day at The Pittsburgh Zoo, Outdoor Homeschooling, and Thinking About Fall

For our family, this week has been all about soaking up the last bits of summer before the (unofficial) arrival of fall. We spent a lovely day at the Pittsburgh Zoo, homeschooled outside as much as possible, and I’ve started thinking about the next season and what we’d like to do and focus on!

The weather in Pittsburgh has been cooling off and the season is definitely shifting. While I’m sad to see summer start to make its exit, I’m looking forward to the coming months and all the joy I know they will bring. I can’t control the seasons (I’d make it summer forever 😉), I can control my attitude towards change and enjoy life in every season.

Mom sitting on swing while holding baby girl

While I’ve been living in this in-between—the end of summer but not yet fall—I’ve been focusing on making the most of each day. Here’s what our week has looked like. (more…)

Our Homeschool Plans for the Year (2024-2025)

We’re at the start of another homeschool year! Sadie is kind of in an in-between year this year because in Pennsylvania, we don’t have to report anything to the state until she is six-years-old by September 1st. Her birthday falls at the end of September, so we have a year of being able to explore and learn and do what works for us before there are certain requirements for days, hours, or subjects to be covered.

Because we don’t have to report to the state this year, does that mean we’re not doing any learning? No way! We have a plan of subjects we’re going to cover and how often, curriculum we plan to use, and some learning goals. At the same time, I am holding the word “plan” loosely, because I know things can and will change as the year goes on. As of now, here’s what’s on the agenda for the school year!

Girl working on ASL coloring book (more…)