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Friday, August 15, 2014

2014-2015 School Year

The 2014-2015 School Year is off to a good start around here!  If you go all the way back to when I started preschool with Caleb at home, we are on our 7th year of homeschooling or 5th if you start counting when he was officially in kindergarten.  Anyway, here is what school looks like around here this year.

Sierra goes to Mother's Morning out each Thursday to give use four glorious hours of homeschooling without crying or Elmo in the background.  I love this girl SO much, and I wouldn't trade her for the world, but she sure does make school interesting.

Jordanna is in K-4, and she is SO excited to be in school this year.  Here she is on our first official day at home this year.

And here she is on her first day at Veritas, where she goes with us one day a week.

And with her teacher Mrs. Wilfong.  She was Alexa's teacher in 1st grade last year.


Jordanna's curriculum:
Five In A Row - I've used this with the big kids before, but it was probably not nearly as fun then as it will be for Jordanna since Mrs. Wilfong is planning the activities for her not me.  We will be studying a picture book for two weeks and using it to discuss character traits, geography, history, art, math, science and more.
Letter of the Week
My ABC Bible Verses
Skill Sharpeners, Spell and Write, Pre-K
Mind Benders
Kumon workbooks for math and scissor skills

Here is Alexa on our first day at home.

And at school with her teacher, Mrs. Crump.  She will also be going on another day for a science class with Mrs. Wilfong.  I'm sure it will take some adjustment to getting ready and out the door for classes 2 days a week now.


Alexa's Curriculum:
Story of the World Volume 4 and associated literature
Art and music appreciation
Piano
Phonics Pathways
First Language Lessons
Wordly Wise 3000
Math U See Beta
Map skills
Critical Thinking Skills
Life Science
Biblical character traits


Caleb on his first day at home.  I didn't take a picture of him at school with his teacher (me).  Our school had no other 4th graders this year, so he is going to be  in my 5th grade class.  While this will be a challenge for him, I think he can do it!  He is also taking math and science classes on a 2nd day.

Caleb's curriculum -
Mystery of History Volume 4 and associated literature
Piano
Prima Latina
Saxon 6/5
Physical Science
Christian Studies Book 4
Shurley Grammar
Vocabulary From Classical Roots
Jump In Writing

And me, (mostly) ready to start another crazy school year!  I'm teaching a full day of 5th/6th humanities classes, plus 5th grade math and a middle school writing class.



Monday, August 11, 2014

Weekend Away

Dave and I haven't been away for a night since before Sierra was born.  And maybe even for awhile before that.  So when some friends volunteered to watch the kids, we jumped at the chance to get away for a few days.  We didn't go far, just about 30 minutes away, but it was such a relaxing and refreshing time.

We hiked,

went out to eat,

and stayed at a beautiful, historical, bed and breakfast.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Caleb is Nine!

Caleb turned nine a few weeks ago.  Only one more year until double digits!  He opened a few presents first thing in the morning.
His sisters watched.
Even Sierra got in on the action.
He wanted a Lego cake, so I bought some lego-shaped candy and let him decorate his cake himself.
We had some friends over for dinner that night.

And he opened more presents.

We had a great day celebrating our smart, handsome, funny, sweet boy!