First Day of School

Today was our first day of homeschool. Officially.  I had gotten my curriculum in July and made sure to test it out before we started.  Boy, I am sure glad that I did!  It would have been completely overwhelming if I hadn't. There is so much.  So very much to go through. I actually had to toss out one of my spelling programs because it was just too much.  I even ran out of time today. 

It is so much different than last year.  Not just because Maddy is now in kindergarten, but Kate still just needs so much attention. Each lesson is new, so it requires actual teaching. Last year, there was one big lesson, and the rest of the week was review. This year it seems like I have to teach new concepts each time, and not just for one subject, but almost all of them! So every subject seems to take 45 minutes.  This is leaving me having to balance things out just perfectly and feeling like I really have to be working and moving and "doing" every part of the day. Once I slack, I get behind. So, obviously that won't last very long, so I am working on how we can make that work. 

I am really seeking Gods wisdom in all of this.  The how's, the when's, the what's, especially.  What do I teach.... do I have too much? Too little?  I love that we can spend time on the things that they just do not get. Extra time that they wouldn't have in school.   I also think it will take a bit for all of us to get used to all this school stimulation.  Here's some highlights from the last few days.

3rd annual dirt cake as their first day of school snack.

"welcome back to school"

finished Charlottes Webb! We got to watch the movie.

Farmin

August 5th

I dont know what titles to put sometimes. Anyway, today went well, but I was up a little earlier than normal and now I am starting to get tired. I am so happy that I did pretty good on my diet again today, went for a couple of walks and tried to do some exercising in my living room... that didn't go too well. My hope for tomorrow is to wake up earlier and go for a short jog. Like probably only 15-20 minutes. But that is still something! I hate jogging. And during nap time, which i am thankful both slept about 2.5 hours, so i got my kitchen pretty clean and throughout the day i washed a few loads of clothes, and cleaned up around the house. It will be nice to wake up to that. I love that feeling, so I hope it stays though out the weekend.  Then while i was uploading pictures to my blog, i went outside and cleaned the car, watered the flowers, cleaned out their backpacks and put them in the wash, and now i am folding clothes. I have so much energy!!

Here's some more favorite pictures from the week:

The second to the last picture is Emily, the girl who is helping us this summer with all the kids. and the next photo is my flower beds. Each year I like to take a picture of what I planted so I can compare what arrangements worked out best. 

well, off to bed. Hope I can fall asleep so I won't be tired tomorrow!

start of harvest

Yesterday was the start of harvest! It was kind of weird.  Yesterday was a pretty good day - in the morning the cleaning ladies came and did the carpet in the living room and part of the dining room. They had so many stains. Not all are gone, but it is a huge improvement!!! Then while they were here, I went for a half hour power walk, and a half hour bike ride. The kids liked that because then we went to the park afterward.  I am hoping to do more exercising to lose some inches; i've finally just had enough. I am determined!

Then yesterday swimming lessons went much better. I had to bribe kate with candy of course, but she finally went in, and was even jumping in! Once she tried it, she loved it and had lots of fun. So, I just have to find something that she cannot resist for going on the potty chair. I am looking to God for answers and hoping soon he can tell me!!

Here's a few favs from yesterday