If the word "homeschooling" drudges up images of denim jumpers and rural living, then you haven't met Rom Impas and Stacy Lewis. Rom and Stacy homeschool their two sons, Orlando, 5, and Mica, 21 months, right here in Seattle's Leschi neighborhood.

Rom, 45, is an artist and designer working in video games, and Stacy, 38, is a writer who blogs at Mama-Om. Here, we talk to Stacy about homeschooling in Seattle, great educational resources and favorite Seattle spots:

Q: Why did you decide to homeschool?

We chose to homeschool for a number of reasons, the main one being that we wanted to preserve our children's natural love of learning. I also felt strongly about allowing our kids to explore nature and their world on their own terms until kindergarten age and beyond.

Q: How do you homeschool the preschool-aged child?

We read dozens of books from the library, some picked ad-hoc and some selected based on my older son's interests. Right now, he wants to learn about fireworks, knights, dinosaurs, and insects. We walk in the woods every week and explore our garden in depth. We visit the beach, the aquarium, the mountains.

We sing songs and use wood chips to learn multiples --we were at the park when he asked about it. We focus on understanding our emotions and on how to communicate our feelings and needs peacefully.

So far, Orlando has taken classes in pottery, circus arts, sports, and art. This coming year, he'll start music, continue circus arts, and likely enroll in many others. At the Magnuson Community Center, there's a homeshool series of classes on Thursdays. This is especially nice, since my son is able to take classes with kids he already knows

Q: What types of homeschool resources do you use in Seattle?

Our main resource has been the Seattle Homeschool Group. It's a large, informal group of over 250 families who stay connected by a newsletter, a website, and email discussion groups. We gather for low-tide walks, moms' nights out, science club, sketch club, building day, and so on. This year, we have been particularly active in the "smallfolk" subgroup for parents of children under six, a great way for us to make friends.

On Orlando's birthday, we visit and buy books at Elliot Bay Book Company or University Bookstore. Top Ten Toys has great toys and learning supplies. I also order high-quality art supplies from Magic Cabin and Rosie Hippo's.

Q: Where does your family like to eat out?

We eat at St. Cloud's in Madrona. We can walk there, the food is fabulous and the people are kid-friendly. We like to take the bus to the I.D. and splurge on sushi at Maneki. Another favorite is Szechwan Noodle Bowl in the I.D. Who doesn't love noodles and pot stickers?

Q: What are your favorite activities in Seattle?

Both my sons love Powell Barnett Park -- my older son loves the spider web climbing structure and super-high slide. We love walking through our neighborhood and the ravines near our house. We like to go to the mountains for sledding, and this year, snowboarding. Orlando and Rom went to the aquarium every Saturday afternoon for about year, and then they switched to the Museum of Flight.

Know of another great Seattle family? E-mail Lora at littlekidsbigcity@nwsource.com, or read previous family profiles.

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