Teenagers

I really enjoy teenagers. My mom was good with teenagers so I probably benefitted from her example.

Right now my daughter is downstairs having her 15th birthday party with a bunch of her friends. The evening consisted of pizza, ice cream cake, presents, a treasure hunt and making a video for their you tube channel.

Earlier today I was pimping out my oldest daughter's ride with "hello kitty" paraphernalia. (Yeah, you heard me right!) She is all about the korean boy bands.

During the party tonight, my son and husband turned his home office into a man cave for the night and they are watching "The Hulk" projected on a big screen while sitting in lazy boys.

My youngest is only 11 and though technically not a teenager, he is running with his sister's birthday crowd as the cute younger brother. (He is an outstanding extra in all their videos!)

I love watching each of these kids become their own person. At times it's clear they are all brothers and sisters. (Check out their youtube channel at Replogle Studios) But at other times, they seem so different I wonder if I am their mother.

When I was a kid, we spent a great deal of time with babysitters. Life had its challenges and both my parents always seemed to be working. Sadly, it resulted in my brother and I endlessly fighting. My prayer when I became a mother was that my kids would enjoy each other. It seemed like a simple prayer and we have had our challenges but they are good friends. I believe homeschooling really helped make that happen.

The shorter school days and learning together, gave them time to be the creative kids God made them to be. I know there is a lot that goes into making a family, but I am thankful that homeschooling gave us the flexibility and freedom for us to discover them and for them to discover each other.

Now that is Another Homeschool Success Story!