“Your kids will never be normal,” a friend said to me with a smile, as we snacked on fresh guacamole and homemade chips. It was unusually windy that day. We had to stand in a wide stance so each leg could alternate absorbing our weight as the boat swayed from one side to the other; our anchor gently digging a deeper wedge into the soft Abaco sand below. Our kids were snorkeling nearby in an area of the Bahamas called Mermaid Reef. Its name refers to the brightly colored small fish that playfully litter the reef below the bright teal surface. I tried to be offended then realized, no, they would probably not be ‘normal,’ whatever that is. 

Our kids have experienced a lifetime of adventures in our eight years of travel-homeschooling. We have covered a lot of ground literally through extensive travel, and figuratively with their studies. With Sophia (18) graduating this coming June, we feel like celebrating the last eight years in every way possible. What a wonderful, fulfilling, and joyous ride this has been! 

We officially named our travel school “Newport RI Homeschool,” a name both generic and specific to us. Tony and I met in Newport. We fell in love, married, and raised three beautiful children here. While living in Newport, we thought of this mad-as-a-March-hare idea to try homeschooling so we could travel as a family, and show our kids the world. Well. We are on year eight of a ten-year homeschool journey, and we continue to savor every minute. 

Last fall, Sophia applied to five East Coast Universities, all with reputable International Studies programs, excellent Art Departments, and High-Level Sailing opportunities. After being offered admission to all five schools (+ two Honors Colleges), she became crystal clear about her path forward. In late January, she accepted a coveted spot at Connecticut College, class of ‘26. Sophia will be continuing her love of learning as she majors in Studio Art and International Relations. She will also be a member of the Conn College Sailing Team, which competes in the ISCA College Sailing division.

Her absence will no doubt change our school dynamic, so we will be making some minor changes as we move forward. Tony and I are not exactly sure how this will translate, but we are committed to making Oliver’s last two high school years with us as joyful and memorable as the first eight. We are confident the inspiration will find us, and can probably also guarantee that it will not be ‘normal!’

[ March, 2022]

Rey Family Index – By the Numbers

Number of years the Reys have been homeschooling: 8

Number of homeschool days logged: 1,445++

Number of Museums/Tours we have taken: 186

Percentage that are Art Museums: 40

Number of Plays/Live Theatre attended: 15

Percentage of US States visited: 38

Number of boats owned over the last 8 years: 4 (two Huckins; one 420; one rib)

Number of Gulf-Stream crossings by boat: 4

Number of Countries visited: 9

Number of cities stayed in Spain, France, Portugal, Italy: 35+

Number of Islands in the Bahamas anchored: 20

Weeks spent in Istanbul and Bodrum, Turkey: 2

Number of books read by Oliver since Sept 2014: 165

Number of books read by Sophia: 189

Number of books read by Lynne: 201

Number of proms and homecomings attended: 10

Number of rescue kittens adopted: 2

Number of CPR Certification Exams passed: 6

Number of Piano Performances given: 6

Number of Languages/Alphabets Studied: 6

Anthologies of Poetry created: 3

Original Poetry Books written: 2 (Lynne)

Varsity letters earned as of 2022: 5 (Sophia); 3 (Oliver) 

Number of different sports played by Sophia and/or Oliver: 14

Division 2 State Volleyball Championships won: 1

Number of Yale/MUN Outstanding Delegate Awards won: 1

Percentage chance that Lynne baked someone a cake this year: 100

Number of Colleges Sophia was accepted to: 5

Total amount in Merit Scholarships awarded by the 5 colleges: $365,000

Number of pages in Sophia’s High School transcript: 49

Number of blog posts written by Lynne about our Travel-School: 139

Approximate cups of coffee consumed: 4,320

Number of new friends made: countless