Co-op Kick-Off {A Weeks}

Our co-op kicked off it's first week with GREAT success on Friday.  When I walked in the building I was shocked at the shear number of families and children...everywhere!  Ha.  It was terrific!

 "Hey, Xabe, we're going somewhere!  He he he..."

They were so excited!

This year as a co-op we chose to do "A" weeks and "B" weeks, switching off some of the classes every other week (a couple of classes have a need to meet every week).  We started with an A week (sensibly) and my children had 45 minutes of Art, 45 minutes of Book Club and and hour and 15 minutes of Musical.  

My how the morning flew!  Art was lovely.  The brave teacher had all TWENTY-EIGHT children paper-macheing and, to be honest, I got overwhelmed and went to rock babies in the nursery.  My kids loved it!  Bless you, Janeane!

After art, we left the area a disaster, and another mom and I took the children to different rooms to read aloud a book for Book Club.  I was charged with the boys, ages 4-10/11 years and am reading aloud to them Owls in the Family.  The other mom, Shela, took the girls to read an American Girl book, Meet Kit.  We'll read for 2-3 weeks...if we get done early the last week will be used to do an activity.  We allowed the children to color or draw while they listened and laughed after because I allowed my boys to lay down and listen and Shela said she told the girls they must sit up.  :)

After some reflection we decided to switch Book Club and Art for the subsequent A weeks to give Miss Janeane time to thoroughly set up her art projects without having to arrive super early or be bombarded by eager scholars.  

After Book Club we shipped all the children to Miss Janel and Shelly for Children's Musical.  I actually went back to the nursery for awhile but did step in to check on my children and see how things we going.  Janel is an older sibling, not a mommy, but you wouldn't know it.  She and Shelly had the children up, moving, shaking out wiggles, and singing.  I LOVED the bits and pieces of the songs I heard and am so excited to watch this musical come together.

Ameliya came along with me to check out musical class and loved the music so much she went and sat right now by her sister to sing and dance.  I had to scoop her up to bring her away with me when she left. 

The morning kept the children BUSY and mine were tired when we left but we all felt fulfilled and happy from having spent the morning with friends.  Xavier was pleased that mommy led his book club and we had some special time together, as last year I taught ballet and wasn't as involved in the classes he did.  On B weeks I'm leading Preschool-6/7 year old P.E. and we're all excited!  I'm a little nervous at my ability, as I'm not the poster child for the physically fit, but I feel good about the activities I have lined up.  

I am thankful that Ameliya gladly joined the nursery class, even when I stepped out to check on the big kids and lead Book Club, and seemed to enjoy her time with her "friends."  She can be outgoing but is sometimes shy around strangers and the nursery was FULL so I just wasn't sure how she'd do but she really was very good and happy.  

I am thankful for the other co-op parents to share this experience with.  It really was a fun morning!

We chose, as a co-op, to begin mid August in order to break completely from Thanksgiving through Valentine's Day.  We are meeting at different location this year, a church that other co-op members belong to, and it is a WONDERFUL facility.  

Next week my children have P.E., Recitation Club, and Musical lined up.  Other classes being offered through the co-op for older ages are Spanish II, Older Elem P.E., JH/HS P.E., Acrylic Painting, Beginning Sewing, Herbals,  Excellence in Writing, Public Speaking... we have such a full offering for the children this fall.  As a side note, for those wondering how it works, there are some fees for a few of the classes.  I paid $5/each for Art for my children to cover the cost of supplies and $10/family for musical to pay royalties, etc.  As a group, we don't charge for our "time," only for any supplies or curriculum needed.  For example, I charged for the cost of the foam balls I needed for PE class, and at the end of class the children will take them home with them (because what would I do with 20 foam balls!?).  Our little family definitely feels blessed by our Fridays!