The School Year is Almost Over

I just thought I'd make a quick entry this morning. I can't believe it, but in just a couple of short weeks Jaden will have completed his first year of homeschooling. I can not believe he'll be a first grader this fall. He is growing up TOO fast.
This year has been pretty good so far. There were times when I wanted to absolutely pull my hair out from frustration and then other times have been very good. I'm so glad I didn't have to throw him into a public school classroom with a stranger to "teach" him. Maybe I'm being too overprotective, but the way things are now I think more parents should be over protective. I just want what is best for him. So far I think we're on the right track... I haven't messed him up too bad yet I don't think. :)
We've had a good time though and he's been able to learn and observe things that he wouldn't be able to see in a boxed-in classroom. We go outside at nights with his telescope, we meet up with our local astronomy group, he learned a little math/economics by setting up his own drink stand at our yard sale this past weekend, taking a trip to Discovery Place in Charlotte, NC, on our camping trip the other week he was able to see a lot of different wildlife, and he went with us to the tea parties and learned about Freedom of Speech. There have been many other opportunities this year to learn outside a classroom. I can honestly say that I don't remember much from those boring text books in school, but I think that more will stick in his mind because we had FUN learning.
I am also glad that we can really focus on astronomy in school for Jaden. He has been hooked on astronomy since I can't remember when. If he were in public school he'd probably study it for a couple of days and that would be it, but we can delve deeper into it and hopefully his love for it will continue to grow. That's a great thing about a homeschool curriculum- you can really custom build it to fit your child's interests. I think that when that happens they are more likely to excel in their studies. So far that's proving to be true... how he remembers all those facts about our solar system, I'll never know.
Anyway, I better end this right here. It's time for breakfast and to get school started in a bit. Only 20 days to go! It's been a fun year, but Jaden and I both can't wait for summer. :)