First Day of School

Handsome and I have been looking forward to this day for awhile.  Finally, his first day of school.  He was so excited that he woke up and immediately got dressed and was ready.  (He had his outfit picked out days in advance)

I hoped that Handsome wouldn't be disappointed with his first day.  We had actually been doing a lot of school work here and there because I wanted to established expectations before Adorable was born, so that it wouldn't be so hard to start right in and yet work around a baby's schedule. 

Luckily he wasn't disappointed at all.  He was so excited to finally get to see, touch, and well... dive right into the school things that have been arriving at our home the last few weeks.

Let me back up for those who don't know what I am doing for Handsome's Kindergarten school year.  I actually have him signed up with an Alternative Learning Program option that our state offers.  He is a public school student with a School District but he is taught by me at home.  Basically I get to home school him but the public school buys me the curriculum and learning supplies I choose to use.

I knew I would home school no matter what, but this solves the money problem.  I choose the curriculum and what he will be taught, and report to a teacher and show his progress during the year and they buy the materials, etc. I want.

So for our first day of school we started with a prayer and scripture reading (OK, we do this every morning anyways).

Then a yummy breakfast of scones and jam (thanks to my visiting teachers for the scone mix.  LOVED IT!).

Next calendar, and counting school days, then the usual reading lessons, writing lessons.  Then a lunch break with some science. :)

We had yummy watermelon for lunch.  We observed the watermelon, cut it into pieces and enjoyed it on our driveway as we learned how to spit watermelon seeds (every child should have a fun watermelon spitting contest memory!).  After we enjoyed lunch, we measured the distances of the seeds, recorded the furthest seed distance, and where most seeds ended up, etc.  It was a blast!  Then we recorded the data in our science journals.  I am so glad I get to still enjoy summer with my kids (especially since it feels like it finally got around to summer in our part of the world) and have them in school learning at the same time. :)

Then we finished the day with a read aloud, The Mouse and the Motorcycle, followed that evening with soccer and a game of catch with dad in the backyard.

I was worried about making sure we met the required 2 hours a day of non-religious learning, but we easily did it and actually spent much more time. :)

At dinner I asked Handsome how he liked his First Day of School.  He loved it, but next time wants friends to come too.  Soon we will be signing him up for soccer, between that and play dates in the park I hope to fill his friend quota as well. :)

As for me, well, I have realized that I have just taken on another full time job!  I am tired at the end of the day and realize, I have to get things ready for the next day of learning, let alone do the tidying up of the house, laundry, church calling, etc.  not to mention that knitting project that is started and begging for me to get to before the book has to go back to the library.  This will be another thing to add to my list of responsibilities, but for me, well worth it!