It has obviously been quite a while since my last post! We have been busy enjoying the beautiful summer days and honestly they have just been flying by. I can hardly believe it is the end of August already.
We are a bit ahead with our school schedule this year and have already been back at it for over three weeks. Why? Mostly because...we can! I love the flexibility of homeschooling and for us, it was time to start. The kids were anxiously asking when we would be starting again, we have the time, and by starting earlier we are able to loosen up the schedule a little throughout the year so that when we have to miss school for appointments or sickness, it doesn't put us behind at all.
I was pretty nervous about how things would go this year with four at home, but after a few weeks we are finding our groove a little. Some days are pretty overwhelming, some days are easy and laid back and we accomplish everything very quickly. Some days I think, "Homeschooling = greatest thing ever!!!" and some days I think, "Is it too late to enroll them in school?". The good outweighs the hard, though, and every time I question if we are doing the right thing, I look at our list of reasons for homeschooling and know this is just the right thing for our kids at this point in time.
The kiddos were so excited for their first day of school!
Little Miss Olivia is not doing any schoolwork, just lots of playing, potty training, snack eating and little activities to enjoy.
Hannah just turned four and is doing preschool at home this year. She loves to be a big girl and wanted school work like her brothers, so she is working on a couple of beginning writing/coloring books, learning her letters, and counting. She loves school and asks to do it as soon as we get up!
Nathan is such a hardworking, excited student! He is a joy to teach with his willing and eager attitude. He is 5 and started Kindergarten this year! He has better handwriting than many of the fifth grade students I used to teach and absolutely loves to color and draw. He is very creative and I can't wait to see him learn to read and write independently.
Matthew is 6 and is in the First Grade this year. He is an awesome reader already as that came very quickly and naturally to him last year. He has already read a few chapter books and I am constantly finding him reading books about sharks, whales, and bugs. He is very good at math, hates handwriting and coloring (but thankfully does it without a battle this year....so far!), and is a good speller. He is a joy to teach!
We have joined a homeschool co-op that starts in a few weeks and I am very excited about this. There are many families in the co-op and the boys will be in a K/1st class together on Wednesday mornings. Hannah will be in a Preschool class and I will help in the nursery where Livvy will stay. I think it will be great for all of us!
We're off to a good start and I can't wait to see what the rest of the year holds!
