Yesterday was our first day of the school year. I put some thought into the school schedule this year, intentionally striving to balance the littles into the mix. And while we still have some kinks to work out (as does every classroom after its first day of “the new schedule”) I’m really, really happy with how positive, balanced and flat-out joyful of a first school day we all enjoyed. So here’s a few pictures of our four-hour school day (we like to take things gently around here).
We’re all doing journal entry prompts this year.
(Excluding Eden, who’s doing teething and walking around the house with a cup in hand).
Can’t believe I have a Kindergartener and a Second Grader. Where did the time go?!
And someone’s even learning how to read upon her own initiative.
(I had to get with the program quickly because she’s gleaning so much from Rachael’s lessons that). I had to make sure there weren’t gaps).
In the meantime, a big second grader has been paired with this little for reading time while I teach Abi to read.
And naturally we’re only wearing one sock because we’re two.
Who knows where that other sock got off to…
While the littles’ nap, the older ladies are enjoying some art free time.
Rachael made fish from a pile of art scrap options that she had been drooling over for weeks.
Abi enjoyed an Art Kids Hub YouTube video (I HIGHLY recommend it. The guy is so, so affirming) drawing Toothless.
I love how they can do their own thing and have SUCH confidence and fun.
So the new additions to this year are: a fun activity to start our day after calendar, journal prompts, Hannah joining Abi’s Math for some toddler education gleaning, Rachael being confident and advanced enough (she can now pick up any picture book and work through it well) in her reading to keep Hannah’s attention for 20 minutes of picture books, and daily exercise (a walk, playing in the backyard, etc) to break up some heavy thinking subjects.
The girls were THRILLED to start back into school. And this year I really feel much more confident, prepared and ready for the balancing act. It’s really exciting to feel like after three years of flexing through homeschool curricula, adding on more dependents 😉 and studying the learning styles of my children, I’m really ready. Homeschooling is fun. Yes, it is work. Yes, it is still challenging. Yes, the toddler and baby both rotated in fussing for a bit yesterday morning as they adjust to the new norms of a school year’s return. But their smiles, their giggles, their dancing and joking between subjects’ transitions, their independence, their eagerness to share in their school lessons together, their confidence to pursue their individuality, their singing… it all speaks of success. Yes, it was only our first day. But their happiness, dear friends, their confident happiness… I’m pursuing their hearts…and this is going to be a WONDERFUL year.
*Thanks be to God for the blessing of my little delights!
