Not Back to School Picnic

Ok. I know the only thing that keeps many readers coming back are the funny videos or pics of P doing something heinous and hilarious, so I hate to post without squat here :) But lately I'm really enjoying being In the moment, rather than Viewing the moment through a lens. So, I apologize for the photo free post, more to come soon...


Once again, homeschoolers are kept in the loop of "normal social activites" by fabulous organizations run by fabulously organized parents. Parents whom I piggyback off the hard work of... by merely showing up at the NYCHEA "Not Back to School Picnic" empty handed... Were my child more socially dependable and myself less of a commitment-phobe this situation would be greatly improved. But until either of those two personality quirks transform themselves, our next "school year" will be surrounded by frequent "thank you's" to other magnificent mamas who set up wonderful get-togethers...

As P can now sit still on a sub, we schlepped to 110th street to the northern most part of Central Park for the NYC picnic this year. (Last year we limited ourselves to the nearby Brooklyn affair.) We were accompanied by our fun friends R and N, also unschoolers, who just happen to live 5 blocks away. (Yup, we're a more common type of freak than you'd think!) P would interact with Noah, a few years his senior, but wouldn't give the adorable Rachel (three) the time of day. Ahhh...

I was thrilled to see the area, the third most elevated spot in the city, rock strewn and gorgeously green. P had just received his new bike (re-read recent comment concerning lacking photo/video and adjoining apology...) and was certainly Not going to leave it behind, despite the enormous trek. But the hill proved a little too steep for upward or downward riding. However, it had wonderful woods that just begged to be explored. So while gazillions of other homeschoolers played pirate, capture the flag and picnicked together, P and I wandered off into the woods with... his bike.

But he was soooo happy. Never mind the fact that this was one of those grand "socializing" opportunities, the ones he seems to despise (had it been a park full of adults I think he would have happily set up, center stage.) Cavorting over fallen logs and under the green canopy, he called out directions, accented with "sir!" His adventurous path wound uphill and eventually went in endless circles that he didn't seem to see:) My eventual dehydration finally convinced him to return to our picnic space, surrounded by a plethora of his fabulous friends. When he plopped down and leaned against me he was Hot. But not in a sweaty, dehydrated way. I asked him if he felt sick? Nope. He felt fine. He wanted to explore some more. So off we went again, leaving the friends behind. This time we found a steep decline, lined with mica. He's been hoping for a mica mine since our Colorado trip and his half-hearted exaltations at such a find had me reaching for his forehead again. His increasingly Warm forehead.

He insisted we shimmy down the path and forage for treasure. Two nice boys, about 9 years old, sweetly explained the mining system. It was intricately drawn, with certain rocks used as money, fantastical names denoting the sections of land claimed by various other kids. P listened intently, asking questions, and then he accepted a mining position beside one of the lads. Had they been older, they would have registered the wry grin on my face. P will dependably play with Anyone at least 3 years his elder. Give him a peer and he'd generally rather ignore their existence...

So we mined and chatted. P seemed quieter and quieter and his head, hotter and hotter. There was now no questioning he had a fever and I so informed him, strongly suggesting we head home with our treasure.

He agreed and immediately dropped the tough guy routine. He went from stoic adventurer to carry-me-pathetic in a heartbeat. As we topped the hill he announced he felt like puking. Great. Only 22 sub stops and we'd be right home :)

We made it home without incident (cuz you Know how much you hate to get on a sub that someone has had an Incident on:) and checked his 104 fever. He was such a trooper getting home too. If someone had schlepped me all the way from uptown with a high fever there would probably be an Incident ;) He must get this personality trait from his father, the stoic, as we have never actively encouraged false fortitude. "Buck up" and "Be tough" are as likely to come out of our mouths as "Eat your steak." And while it would have been completely valid for him to bitch and moan his miserable way home, it was certainly easier for Me that he silently listened to the lame 45 minute tale I wound all the way home.

So, moral of our back to school party this year: You can lead a homeschooler to a social event, but you can't Make him socialize :) After all, woods Are pretty peaceful...