Jennifer Lambert

A Sacred Balance

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Curriculum for 2026-2027

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Summer flew by this year.

My two middle kids took a couple summer courses and experienced study abroad programs to France and Poland. They’re already planning next summer’s study abroad trips!

My son played several out of state baseball tournaments this summer.

I highly recommend the books by Louise Bates Ames. A good guide to follow are the What Your ?-Grader Needs to Know by E.D. Hirsch, Jr. His books have some problems, but it’s a great jumping off point.

See how we do history. Our main curriculum Tapestry of Grace (and the way I supplement it each year) covers all the 
 humanities – history, literature, art, music, philosophy, government.

We’re down to one homeschooler these next two years. I’m realizing I should probably purge our materials and books since I won’t ever need them again.

He’s finishing up some novels for me. He’s planning to complete Life of Fred Financial Choices. He really likes The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey. He has some history assignments to complete. He needs to learn how to write essays and take the university placement test for writing. Most of the Ohio public universities haven’t started back requiring SAT/ACT testing.

He plays elite travel baseball and high school baseball with our local district. We have to submit transcripts to the school so he knows he has to keep up with his work which is great accountability.

He is CCP at our local university, continuing with Spanish, and taking classical history this fall and probably biology in spring. I encourage him to take core classes that will easily transfer, like Intro to Writing.

School looks a little different for him. He isn’t very academic and doesn’t enjoy reading and we’ve slacked quite a bit and procrastinated which means we need to cram these last two years. We’re working on units, broader concepts, and future prep. He does always complete his checklists, even if it’s last minute. He is very successful with his college courses, and earned a spot on the President’s and Dean’s Lists last year.

He’s starting to make lists of colleges to contact for baseball. He wants to pursue a career in sports.

My middle two are attending a local university. One is double majoring in Classics and French. The other is double majoring in Environmental Science and Biology and doing a 4+1 program for a master’s in biology. They’re both very proactive and planning ahead towards grad school options, their careers, and dreams.

We encourage our kids to live at home as long as they need for support and saving funds. I still do laundry and cook meals and pack lunches. They appreciate not having to worry about doing that for themselves.

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High School Graduation

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My third child is launched out into the world.

As a CCP student for several years already, they applied officially to our local university with enough credits to be almost a junior.

They attended a CCAD College Preview which confirmed they did not actually desire to complete art school. They take commissions and work on lots of arts and crafts projects.

They’ve taken figure skating lessons for years and leveled up frequently. They’re taking a break this first semester of university so they’re not overwhelmed with their schedule.

They’re practicing driving but now have to go through the driver education course this winter due to new laws.

I love how they change their hair and makeup so frequently and have such a fun thrifted unique fashion style.

The last six months were very stressful and I feel I missed out on so much.

We love going to museums and arts festivals. We had some fun day and weekend trips and a great Offspring concert. We had a family beach trip this summer.

I love that I got to provide a nontraditional education to my nontraditional kid.

They won a COLA Dean’s scholarship and is active on the Dean’s advisory board. They should graduate debt-free and probably with extra funds for grad school.

They’re studying classics and art and writing at university and have impressive goals for their future. They’re secretary of the Classics Club and also like attending events with the metaphysical club. They applied for a reception job at their college. They tutor their classmates and are an unofficial TA in Latin.

They’re still living at home and commuting to classes with their sister (and little brother in CCP!) which makes things cheaper and more comfortable and easier on them in many ways – better meals at home and sleeping in their own bed and having their safe space.

They have lots of goals and plans to travel and learn abroad.

High school graduation time is a lovely transition into adulthood.

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Our Curriculum for 2025-2026

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Check out my Instagram to see what we were up to this summer. We went to several fun concerts! I took several trips for baseball tournaments and we had a lovely family summer beach trip to Alabama.

We often celebrate the end of summer and beginning autumn and a new school year with not back to school activities.

This summer seemed to fly by. Honestly the last six months were very busy with my traveling to Atlanta so often to care for my parents.

I highly recommend the books by Louise Bates Ames. A good guide to follow are the What Your ?-Grader Needs to Know by E.D. Hirsch, Jr. His books have some problems, but it’s a great jumping off point.

See how we do history. Our main curriculum Tapestry of Grace (and the way I supplement it each year) covers all the humanities – history, literature, art, music, philosophy, government.

My middle two are both officially attending university full time. One is double majoring with biology and environmental sciences and the other majoring in classics. They both took college algebra over the summer instead of the placement exam for maths. Tori is on the uni noncompeting gymnastics team, and she still does aerial weekly. She works in the entomology lab. Tori is taking Spanish, entomology, calculus, and an education course that satisfies social science element. Akantha is in the classics club. Akantha is taking French and Latin, chemistry, and art.

My son is fifteen and starting university with Ohio CCP. He’s taking Spanish and Earth Science at a local state uni. He will continue with our homeschool humanities program while working through maths and physics with his dad. He plays elite travel baseball and high school baseball with our local district. We have to submit transcripts to the school so he knows he has to keep up with his work which is great accountability.

We encourage our kids to live at home as long as they need for support and saving funds. I still do laundry and cook meals and pack lunches and drive two of them to classes and activities.

We are fortunate to be able to provide an environment my kids feel safe and comfortable as they transition into functioning adults.

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Winter Gear for Sports Parents

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I am not made for cold weather.

Many sports begin in one season and end in another. Often, there is wind and rain, even sleet or snow at the beginning of baseball season! Sometimes, it seems as if that is the same day.

I recently wrote about Summer Gear for Sports Parents. Obviously heat can be dangerous and we need to make sure we stay cool with rising temperatures. But being cold is miserable.

I want to support and cheer for my kids while staying warm and dry.

I’ve loved seeing my kids play soccer and baseball and do ice skating. I’m so proud of all they have tried and learned and how they continue to improve in their endeavors.

Baseball is normally a warm weather sport, but there have been times in early spring or late fall that have been miserably cold and wuthery. Also, ice skating rinks are often very cold for spectators. I like being prepared and staying warm.

Winter Gear for Sports Parents

Clothing

Blankets

Tents

Seating

Warmers

Snacks and Drinks

I don’t like being cold and I am not made for winter. These items help me to cheer on the sidelines for my kids playing sports in cold weather.

Do you have tips for cold weather gear?

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Our Curriculum for 2024-2025

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We had a fun beach trip to Panama City Beach, Florida.

We checked some items off our Ohio summer bucket list with several staycation day trips.

I went to a lot of fun concerts with Tori!

Check out my Instagram to see what we were up to this summer.

We often celebrate the end of summer and beginning autumn and a new school year with not back to school activities.

I highly recommend the books by Louise Bates Ames. A good guide to follow are the What Your ?-Grader Needs to Know by E.D. Hirsch, Jr. His books have some problems, but it’s a great jumping off point.

See how we do history. Our main curriculum Tapestry of Grace (and the way I supplement it each year) covers all the humanities – history, literature, art, music, philosophy, government.

They are all finishing up chemistry and physics and maths.

We have been lucky not to be required to take SAT/ACT, but they do have to complete maths placement exams for university.

My kids are very active with skating/roller blading, cycling, hiking, walking, fishing, playing the Wii and Switch, in addition to their classes and sports.

Some electives the kids are pursuing in addition to sports are cooking/baking, creative writing, drawing/animation, arts and crafts, jewelry making.

  • Tori continues aerial gymnastics twice a week.
  • Akantha continues figure ice skating lessons several times a week.
  • Alex plays elite 15u baseball with Midland Dayton.

My son is “officially” 9th grade according to his age and on transcripts that I must submit to the local high school for his eligibility to play baseball. He may decide to do CCP next year, 2025-2026. I am starting over again with Ancient History Year 1 cycle.

Akantha is “officially” 12th grade according to transcripts that I must submit to the local university for their third and final year with College Credit Plus for admission next year. They’re already a sophomore. They’re taking Latin, Hindu Goddesses, writing, and Greek Magic. Love seeing their watercolors this summer and they’re starting an oil painting class! Follow their journey on their Instagram.

Tori is beginning her first “official” year of university with honors biology and environmental science, minoring in photography. She’s already a sophomore from two years of CCP.

I stilll love learning along with my kids.

We are reading aloud several classic novels to round out our education. We are finishing up The Philosophy Book.

We are reading through Discovering Life’s Story and History of US by Joy Hakim.

My eldest child is working full-time in a blood donation center.

I’m still very needed to make breakfasts and pack lunches and help getting my college kids to their campus since only one drives and their schedules don’t overlap much this year. We eat a hot dinner together almost every night. I cherish these last few years before they go off on their own.

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Favorite Baseball Gear

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My son has been playing baseball since he was a toddler.

He moved up from TBall to coach pitch to rec kid pitch to elite travel ball.

He’s played fall ball and attended camps and training days and prospect days and takes private lessons for pitching and hitting.

He lives and breathes for baseball.

I’ve witnessed him grow and learn and excel and fail. We’ve had great coaches and bad coaches and indifferent and reluctant coaches. We’ve played on “Daddy Ball” teams and he tried out for teams that didn’t choose him for whatever reason and he’s had a team dissolved after he played a season.

He’s chosen to stay on a D2 team for three years now because the coaching is consistent and fair and kind. He’s had invitations and opportunities to try out or play for other organizations and teams and he’s come home to say that he won’t continue that route.

I am so proud that he has integrity.

He’s a leader for his team, taking care of his teammates if they get injured, sick, hot, hungry, thirsty, or discouraged while always cheering loudly for all their individual and team successes.

Our favorite baseball gear:

Decor

Training

Game Gear

Recovery

My son needs new cleats and turf shoes every year. He needs a different bat this year and whew are those expensive. The gloves and pads and protective gear wears out quickly.

There are lots of various gear for sports and fitness. I’m glad my other kids don’t play team sports with lots of gear!

What is your favorite sports gear?

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Summer Gear for Sports Parents

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I grew up in a world where only rich kids played sports or did activities before junior high.

While I longed to dance ballet, learn horseback riding, take piano and art lessons, those opportunities were not accessible to me.

I’ve reluctantly been a sports parent since my eldest was a toddler.

I wanted to offer as many opportunities to my kids as I could, so they could eventually choose what they loved. I never forced my kids to participate, but we encouraged them to finish out the season or lesson period.

I’m not a stage mom or whatever.

Liz hated TBall from the moment we signed her up and we didn’t bother forcing it or the other to play. Alex lives and breathes baseball. All my kids tried gymnastics and Tori excels at aerial arts. All my kids tried soccer and Liz and Akantha loved it until about age 12, when it became increasingly competitive. Liz and Tori loved track, but injuries forced them to quit. We took some very informal homeschool figure skating lessons years ago, and Akantha fell in love with it and takes lessons for the past few years.

I don’t post much about my kids online anymore, but I wish I could brag about how well they do in our homeschool, in college, in their activities and sports! I am a very proud parent.

Many evenings and weekends are spent at lessons, practices, and tournaments. I want to stay cool and not get overheated when there is often nary a breeze or shade. I have to monitor my coach husband and son out there on the field and in the dugout to make sure they are managing to stay cool.

Baseball is usually a warm weather sport. We have had some games in early spring and during fall season play that are quite chilly and wuthery. But, usually, we have to find ways to stay cool in summer during baseball practices, games, tournaments, and camps.

Summer Gear for Sports Parents

Wagons

Wagons are pretty essential to haul all the gear from the minivan or SUV to the field and dugout and bleachers. I’ve seen some fantastic wagons that do double duty as child strollers and tables and more.

Sun Protection

Shade

Many families invest in shade tents and they certainly help and can be shared with family and friends.

Seating

I love a rocking chair and I love chairs with sunshades and cup holders.

Cooling Towels and More

Fans

Snacks and Drinks

These items have been great for the boys on the team, and for the coaches, parents, families, and friends to stay cool during hot summer games and tournaments.

What’s your favorite tip to stay cool?

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Yellow Spring Hike

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We went on a little hike I’ve been wanting to do for years and we just never got around it for various reasons.

We finally saw the famous Yellow Spring!

We drove through Yellow Springs and parked at the main Glen Helen Vernet Ecological Center on Corry Street. It’s $10 for a day pass or $50 for an annual pass. They’re a nonprofit and no longer a part of Antioch College.

Tori and Akantha have been CCP students these past two years.

Tori took us along on a short hike Inman Trail that copied her college geology lab class field trip. She led us on a circle by the creek and to the spring and back to the welcome center.

The Dam was fascinating and looked like it defied gravity.

The Cascades and rock formations were really beautiful.

There is a small Adena Burial Mound right beside the path.

The Yellow Spring is so orangey-red from the iron and other minerals.

Read some cool history about Yellow Springs.

The hoodoo rock formation shows erosion split it in half.

The Grotto is a lovely rock cave waterfall.

After a picnic lunch, we drove to see some local covered bridges. There is another closed bridge within Glen Helen that we will find another time. Tori wants to visit all the Ohio bridges. We saw the longest one last summer near Cleveland.

We got to drive through one!

We have a fun summer bucket list before Tori starts college – “for real.”

And I don’t believe in the old criticism that “we only have eighteen summers” with our kids. I am blessed that my eldest lives nearby and we are all still close. Tori plans to live at home as long as she can commute to college. We have lots of plans for school breaks and summers and yes, while it is busier to plan with teens and young adults and all the scheduling conflicts, we still strive to make events happen.

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Graduation Day

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Well, the invitations are coming in and my graduating student is thoroughly excited to celebrate with her friends.

And I feel like garbage.

I didn’t get a copy of Oh, the Places You‘ll Go! signed by everyone she’s interacted with since toddlerhood.

I didn’t get senior portraits in a field of weeds.

We don’t have any parties or trips planned.

I didn’t do any of the trendy Instagram-worthy Pinteresting things that I wasn’t even aware of.

It’s been a rough few years, with COVID closing all our extracurricular activities for a couple years. And after that, my teens aged out of a lot of classes and camps and some never started back up after the quarantine. There have been several ups and downs with job changes and income levels fluctuating.

I feel like I really dropped the ball and the end of this year has kinda snuck up on me.

My own senior year and high school graduation week was a fiasco.

I was one of the first students in Georgia to attempt dual enrollment with high school and college. My counselor and principal refused to help or grant any concessions or early dismissal, so I went directly to a local college and enrolled as a Freshman Scholar. I was still required to complete senior English, so I had to take marketing and another elective in order to leave early. I was require to work part time retail for my marketing class.

Senior week is supposed to be a fun time with graduation practice and whatnot, and when I showed up, several students forgot I even attended the school.

Graduation itself was funny. We handed condoms to our principal as we accepted a fake diploma. Several of us brought silly string and hid it in our sleeves. In order to receive our diploma folder, we had to return our cap and gown and a silly penlight since they thought it was a good idea for some “candlelight” moment. I dropped mine so they threatened to withhold my actual diploma.

My parents decided to go celebrate my graduation in downtown Atlanta at Chops steakhouse. Then they got upset I ordered lamb chops instead of steak. I swear I have seldom been so embarrassed: they stole the steak knives from the table. As we left, I pointed to a case by the door where they sold the knives and branded merchandise. I don’t even remember getting any gifts. We didn’t have a party with my large extended family or any of my friends.

I don’t really like ceremony anyway, but I always wanted my kids to feel special and that any day of celebration for them was about them and not about me.

My first child completed our homeschool in Germany and we were so happy for her and I got some fun photos at a nearby park and I ordered a cute pink mortarboard for her. We didn’t have a party since we didn’t have anyone to invite. We had traveled to many cities in Europe so she has some special memories of her teen years. We moved back to the States and she got a part time job and started college a year early. She didn’t want her driving license until she was eighteen. She resented a lot and regrets a lot of what we had to do, but she also wishes she could have graduated college during COVID somehow like some of her peers.

My elderly parents live near Atlanta, but they don’t communicate with my family; they express no interest in my kids at all. They don’t even seem to remember that I have four children, and often lump the middle two together. We haven’t seen my parents since 2018. My husband’s sisters don’t talk to me or the kids. They live near Chicago, and we haven’t seen them since 2012. It’s lonely and sad.

But I can celebrate my child even if no one else will.

She has performed with aerial gymnastics for about seven years – silks, lyra, and trapeze.

She has a part time job at a local grocery store since she was fifteen.

She has been a College Credit Plus student at a local university for two years, so she is already a sophomore in college at high school graduation. She is accepted as an honors student there this fall and we are very proud. She plans to commute so she can have better food and the comfort of her own bed and space.

She wanted her driving license as soon as possible so we got her the mandatory driving skill classes and a cute little Prius when she turned sixteen.

She attended Space Camp last summer, which has been her dream all her life.

We’re thrilled she got invited to the local high school prom with a group of girl friends.

We are very proud of everything she has done and she has some great goals I am sure she will meet!

Yes, I know that admonition about having only eighteen summers, and I know we have had some great and busy ones and some boring not so great ones. I also feel I have a few more summers to make some great memories, and I have no intention of just sending my kids away to live their own lives without me. I will stay as involved and close as they will let me be. I am blessed that my kids still want to go shopping, attend events, and travel with me.

This summer, we have a beach trip planned, but it will be a multitasker for my son’s baseball tournament. I hope to have a few long weekends or short trips to places that are interesting to my graduating child – hiking or thrifting, art and history museums.

Graduation should be a time for celebration. It’s a huge milestone for kids on the cusp of adulthood.

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Our Curriculum for 2023-2024

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Summer was exciting with a fun Alabama beach trip and a lake trip near Cleveland.

Tori attended Space Camp!

Akantha attended a CCAD art college preview on merit scholarship.

Summer seems shorter and shorter each year.

We often celebrate the end of summer and beginning autumn and a new school year with not back to school activities.

I highly recommend the books by Louise Bates Ames. A good guide to follow are the What Your ?-Grader Needs to Know by E.D. Hirsch, Jr. His books have some problems, but it’s a great jumping off point.

9th Grade

My son is 13 and working on high school texts. I am not worried at all about his academics. I’m trying to find materials to keep him interested a few more years! We might focus more on writing this year.

12th Grade

My middle two kids will attend a local university with CCP this year. It will be their second year doing this.

Tori has her driver’s license, a car, and a part time job at a local grocery store.

Tori is in her last homeschool year and will apply to the university to continue her studies.

Akantha has two more years before they can apply to college. So they will have like a double senior year, since they’re mostly done in our homeschool.

Both have always done much of their school work and many activities together.

First semester:

Tori is taking photography, ecology science with lab, and freshman writing.

Akantha is taking Latin and drawing.

Some electives the kids are pursuing in addition to sports are cooking/baking, creative writing, drawing/animation, arts and crafts, jewelry making.

My kids are very active with skating/roller blading, cycling, hiking, walking, fishing, playing the Wii and Switch, in addition to their classes and sports.

  • Tori continues aerial gymnastics twice a week.
  • Akantha takes ice skating lessons three times a week.
  • Alex plays elite baseball.

Our main text this year would be (as soon as it’s released!) The History of the Modern World: From the Conversion of Constantine to the First Crusade by Susan Wise Bauer. I also hope to find the Study and Teaching Guide: The History of the Modern World: A curriculum guide to accompany The History of the Modern World by Julia Kaziewicz. We have so enjoyed the other three books in this series!

We are technically on Year 4 in our history cycle. Year 4 covers some important near history and I cannot wait to dive deep into literature. Since this series follows a slightly different timeline than our earlier cycles, I can pull ideas from our Year 3 books while we wait for publication.

We are enjoying these books in the meantime:

See how we do history. Our main curriculum Tapestry of Grace (and the way I supplement it each year) covers all the humanities – history, literature, art, music, philosophy, government.

My eldest child is working full-time in a local hospital with the medical laboratory and phlebotomy.

I hope everyone has a great year!

You might also like to see our other homeschool years:

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