Swirling thoughts...

So. Normally, around this time of year I start getting all gung ho about the coming school year and trying to plan out my curricula and schedule. I print out this free dowload (that I love and appreciate!) and get to work. I love the organization of it all. ;)

But, this year, I'm having a problem. With Noah starting at CEC in the fall and, thereby, following a "normal" academic year schedule, I'm not sure what to do for our homeschooling schedule with Asher & Micah. Do I follow the CEC schedule or stick with our "six weeks on, one or two weeks off" routine or something else entirely?

Right now, I'm in the "just let all the thoughts swirl around in my head" stage. Here's what I've got:

- Follow the CEC schedule. This one seems like the most straight-forward. It would enable us to be all on the same page. But. I worry that the summer break will be longer than I want. And, as the teacher for Asher and Micah, I worry that I will want those weeks off throughout the year for planning and everything else. We all really value our periodic weeks off, as that has worked beautifully for us.

- Follow our "normal" homeschool schedule. It works for us. But. How will that work with boys doing different things...with the inevitable complaints about "why do they get time off?" and "why doesn't he have summer schoolwork?" And it would obviously mess with any vacation planning. And if we're all on different schedules, would that equate to less "off" time altogether (since I would still be "on" to help with whichever boys are doing schoolwork)?

- Do something else entirely. What would this be? Really. I'm open to suggestions. ;)

Also. Should I stagger the starting dates so that I can help Noah more with the inevitable transition to being in school? Or will that just lead to a longer transition period altogether as I'll then need to add the younger two to the mix?

Sigh.

Swirly, swirly, swirly... ;)