First week of school

Well, we survived the first week. =) Here's a quick recap:



Day One (Tuesday): I gave the kids the option of going out for breakfast or lunch. They chose breakfast so we headed off to Denny's. Back at home, I gave them their new supplies and we talked about what period we're studying this year -- Rome to the Reformation.



We did Bible, history, math and vocabulary. We also discussed Roman numerals and learned a couple Latin words -- unus and duo. We finished by lunch. It went well, with good attitudes all around.



Day Two (Wednesday): This day didn't start out as well and the blame falls squarely on my shoulders. I was up a little late the night before so when Zane woke up to nurse at 4 (what's that about?? LOL), I then went back to bed and didn't get up until the kids did. I have been trying to be up before them to pray, have my coffee and check email.

So I felt behind from the beginning of the day. We did get through the subjects I'd planned but not as joyfully. =) Plus Zane had a runny nose and thought that entitled him to be held constantly. (And he's right *grin*).



Day 3 (Thursday) I learned my lesson from the day before and was up early. We got everything accomplished that I'd planned. In the afternoon, we attended a homeschool bowling party.

Day 4 (Friday) This day is Friday School. Chase took a chess class and a Presidential Fitness class, and Cub Scouts. Brenna took Beginning Sewing, Learn to Watercolor and Girl Scouts. Aiden took a class geared toward 4yr olds that is based on themes. The first day's them was animals. He came home with a snack and Bible verse to memorize. We also attended a picnic for our homeschool support group.

Most weeks we will do school at home M-Th and then attend Friday school. This week went well overall, we're learning which subjects take longer than others and how to keep the 4yr old occupied. Next week I hope to add in 1-2 more subjects.

More updates to come. =)

the "constraption"

I let Aiden watch an episode of "Blues Clues" this morning while I worked with the older kids on writing. He ran out to us, excited and said "They are talking about contraptions (see the above 4yr old pronunciation) and I want to make one. So when Chase finished his work, they headed outside to see what they could come up with. This is it:

The idea is to push the truck down the ramp, which pulls on the string attached to the cup of bird seed:

The cup is lifted up to the branch, where I guess the birdies are supposed to come along and find their feast. LOL Aiden was very excited about the whole project.

And hey -- this counts as schooling, right? =)

School planning

Okay...this year's curriculum ordered and received -- CHECK. Pencils sharpened, markers and erasers and scissors and glue all corralled into one central location (destined to be scattered throughout the house within a week) -- CHECK. A positive attitude on mommy's part, and prayers said for God's wisdom in training His precious children -- CHECK.

I think I'm ready to start school tomorrow. This year we have an 8th grader, a 5th grader, and a 3rd grader. Aiden is 4 so technically preschool, but I bought a Kindergarten curriculum to work with him on over the next 2 years.

We are using My Father's World curriculum for Bible and History. I checked it out at the homeschool convention and was impressed with how easy it seems to implement for different age groups. I'll let ya know in a few weeks it I find that to be true or not. ;)

This is the rest of what we're using:

Science is Apologia. For language arts, we're using Primary Language Lessons , Intermediate Language Lessons and Writing Strands. For handwriting, we use A Reason for Handwriting, and spelling is Spelling Power.

Math is Math-U-See. Art is God and the History of Art, music is Classical Music for Children for Aiden, and Introduction to Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven for the older kids. We are doing Latin for foreign language (wish me luck!).

We joined a co-op so the kids will be taking classes on Friday. So far, Chase is taking chess and a fitness class, Brenna is taking sewing and watercolor and Aiden is taking a preschool class. This is our first time in this kind of group so we'll see how it goes.

Extra-curricular activities include:

Conner -- baseball and swim lessons
Chase -- Cub Scouts and swim lessons
Brenna -- Brownies, swim lessons, dance and His Kids(choir at church)
Aiden -- swim lessons and Cherub Choir (church)

They are all also in AWANA. So it's shaping up to be a busy year!

I'll try to post after our first day and periodically throughout the year.

a promise fulfilled

Every week, we drive by an outdoor pool that features a couple slides. And every week, Aiden asks to go there. For most of the year I can happily reply that it's closed until summer. But there are those pesky 3 months between Memorial Day and Labor Day when it is indeed open.

Last summer we had the best of intentions to take him there at least once, but it never happened. He did get to go to other pools. With even better slides. And we went on a super road trip to Florida where he got to play in the biggest pool of all -- the ocean.

But still he had this desire -- need, he insisted -- to go to that particular pool. So I said we would go this summer for sure as I endured the can-we-please-go-there question week after week.

This last week I realized in shock -- it will be closed Monday for the season. This coming Monday. As in, no more time for excuses. Scott was out of town for work all week and I wasn't looking forward to taking all 5 alone, but I was determined.

Then I got a pleasant surprise. Scott got back early on Friday. So we threw on the bathing suits and headed out. It turned out to be the perfect time to go. The weather wasn't too hot, and most kids were still in school. We had the place mostly to ourselves.

The cost for 5 non-residents: $21. The time spent searching for all the suits, towels, sunscreens, etc.: at least 30 minutes. Seeing the above smile on my son's face: priceless.

fun in the sun

More pictures from the pool:

Brenna

This bucket would fill up with water and then dump every 10 minutes

Conner on the slide

Chase on the slide

Zane checks out the fountains

He decides he likes them =)

Swimming with Daddy

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