The 'Education' of Little Landon (and Cassie too)

Much of our time here, when not traveling with the students, is spent homeschooling Landon and Cassie (though admittedly my eleventh grade Trig class has long since become useful in anyway for Cassie's pre-calc assignments). Cassie is actually mostly teaching herself, with some occasional help from a student, and she and I study Spanish together.

Landon, on the other hand, takes most of my attention, and in addition to the enhanced respect I have gained for his teachers, I have also become more educated myself on some of the challenges of his learning disabilities. It's been a good experience all the way around.

Landon's daily homework position

Cassie's style is a little more laid back.

It's not actually his academic education that has impressed me most however, but rather the 'education'' he is receiving from being with 14 young adult girls everyday. Now admittedly, with three older sisters he had a good foundation already, much of which has given him the confidence (too much confidence, I might add) to further his 'studies.'  When he stepped off the bus on our first trip of the semester and said to the gathering of girls, gangsta hand motions included, "what up LADEEEZ?!" I knew we were in trouble. A week ago I came downstairs to find him demonstrating on Kaitlin to the two boys in our group how to properly play with a girl's hair. And all of the girls now been given Landon nicknames that include Beautiful, Cookie, Sweetie and Sugar, just to name a few. Heaven help us when he gets older.

Andy's catching on to Landon's hair playing instruction  on Emily

Despite the intent of all involved, his efforts to woo the ladies has not been without some gaffs. One of his many favorites (nickname Girlfriend) got on the bus before Landon one day and announced that he had just told her that her coat made her look pregnant. When I responded, aghast, that I clearly needed to talk to him, she replied, "Oh, don't worry, Julianna has already pulled him aside to explain AGAIN that you never comment on a girl's size or weight!" Thankfully they aren't afraid to give correction and genuinely like and include him, which has made our experience so much more fun. They all patiently attended a meeting he called in one of our hotel rooms to plan a party for that night. Notebook in hand, he made room assignments for various activities, figured out treats and promoted a dance party to end the night where he showed off his moves.

Taylor in her darling, non-pregnant looking, coat!

Landon with Juliana ('Beautiful'), Melissa ('Awesome') and Sarah ('Sweetie')

I'm well aware that he will need some counter training when he returns to his 12 year old world where everyone isn't patient and kind and thinks your funny no matter what goofy thing you do. Even here, of course, we have moments where we need to remind him that he is not actually one of the students and that they won't always want to do what he wants to do. I think its safe to say that an early game Faith (i.e. Cookie Dough) taught him, Four Men on a Couch, has outworn it's fun for everyone, despite his repeated requests to play it again.

I can't talk about Landon's 'college education' without talking about Cassie's as well, and in that regard it has been nothing but positive. She is included and welcomed and genuinely liked by the students, one of which told her early on that she liked her because she doesn't act 15. That may be as good of a compliment as you can get from someone in college. But what is most telling, is that despite her fears of leaving all of her friends behind, she has not once complained about being here and never seems to really feel homesick. This group is obviously doing a great job filling in as her new friends. It is because of that, I think, that last night we heard words we never thought we would hear come out of her mouth, "the time is going TOO fast!"

Nate, Tatiana, Taylor, Faith, Madeleine and Liz leaving Cordoba