Because I never seem to have it all together, I knew I'd be forgetting something for the first day of school for the kids. So, at the last minute on Sunday night, James roll into the local Walmart to grab some fun breakfast items and a few fun school supplies to make things a little more interesting for the kids. It's a good thing too because Nora Jean woke up and declared "I do not want to go to schoooooool!" from underneath the covers of my bed. Going to school to her means I have to brush out that unruly mop of hair first thing in the morning. "We have a choice of pannnnncakes or douuuughnuts." I sing back at her. Then I make my way to Gunner's room clapping and singing "wake up, wake up it's time for breakfast!" I'm extra loud with him because anytime he sleeps past the crack of dawn, he's not so easy to wake up.
They both wobble out of the the bedrooms and down the steps to the basement kitchen where I have bacon ready, doughnuts on a tray and scrabbled eggs in the pan. They can choose to have pancakes as well, because those just come straight from the freezer. Jake slides by me in the kitchen first and Evan is in the recliner petting the cat when I come down. Both are ready for food...aren't most teenage boys. Jake makes himself a cup of coffee with a. splash of sweet cream and I make their plates. I'm starting to feel like I just might be able to pull this homeschool gig off.
After they cleaned their plates, they all got dressed and ready for the day. I have a feeling this will be our hardest part of the day by next week. I mean, brushing hair and brushing teeth really is torture. Chop... chop. We have work to do. Nora reluctantly lets me put her hair in two braids like "Anna" from Frozen. Except I say, they look like Laura Ingles braids. Knowing that later that day I have to run to the library and get the book Farmer Boy that I didn't prepare in advance and pick up to read to them the next few weeks. Laura Ingles braids are very appropriate for this classroom I suppose.
Simultaneously, the Bigs are doing their morning devotional...oh man. (I never did get the book the Little's needed for their Bible lesson...so I make a mental note to just order it on Kindle for now.). At the same time as they are reading their devotional and studying their Bible study, Act Like Men, G & N do their morning calendar, weather, days of the weeks, etc. Followed by their writing and math and coloring New York on the map because later when I finally get the Laura Ingles Wilder book, it will all make sense whey we need to know where New York is, in the meantime it's where our Aunt Millie lives and where 911 took place... they were sure to tell me.
They drew on the windows with window markers a few days ago, so we did it again this morning. It's a fun way to get the brain going I guess and it's different and it's art. After a trip to the library, we came home, ate lunch, and they listened to the first chapter of Farmer Boy. We talked about what they had listened too. I even made the Bigs listen and I think the enjoyed it. While they did their silent reading, I started a new tradition... afternoon tea. I steeped some vanilla lemon honey chamomile tea and put out a tray with wooden stirrers and sugar, honey, and cream. Oh my how the enjoyed that. Nora had a legit tiny tea cup we found at a thrift store and I now want to get out my actual tea set. Silent reading with a cup of tea...yes please.
I still have tons of organizing to do, things to pull from the attic, stuffed animals that go with books, themed books to go on the forward facing book case, and tubs to buy for our salvaged shelves out of an old classroom. The art cart needs proper stocking as well.
If you've read this far, say a prayer for us. We have gotten off to a great start, but I have so much planning to still do. I am being deliberate about slowing down any activities outside of school for the time being. Tomorrow we have a back to school swim party with pancakes! They are pretty pumped about that... then back home to hit the books.
1 Comment
5/15/2022 09:07:02 am
Very much as a child I loved school parties, so I liked to spend time there, also loved to read different books on how to do everything right. You did the right thing, keep it up. I hope all your plans go well.
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Come on in...I'm Aimee, former Early Childhood Educator and Reading Specialist turned author, speaker, blogger, and mom of 5. This website is meant to inspire & equip parents of little ones to promote early literacy & language development at home. You will also find fun crafts, devotionals, and recipes to explore..
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