The First Day of School 2021-2022

Our first day of school was overall really.....calm.

It was loud at times, a couple of small meltdowns, but neither of them were the teacher so that's still a win, right?

We got everyone up at 7:30 for "bedhead Bible study."  You don't have to be put together but you do have to have your eyes open and be at the table.  It's possible this will switch to bedtime Bible study, but for the next couple of weeks we are trying it in the mornings.  We didn't wake up Ev....because.... precious peace.

After taking our formal first day photos, we jumped right in.  We began with Rhythm for Handwriting - a cursive curriculum we are trying to help the younger two combat letter reversals.  The older two are doing it with us as a solid review. 

The day found a nice flow to it without a lot of trying.  I stayed at the head of the table sitting and standing and tried to just focus on being teacher mom.  The younger two did Rod and Staff level 1 reading together and then picked up in their individual areas of Sing, Spell, Read, and Write reading.  Ameliya started Teaching Textbooks 3 and Zayden started level 2 of Masterbooks Math.  Natalee and Xavier began new levels of Rod and Staff reading and spelling and picked back up with their Teaching Textbooks, also.

Evalynn loved her new teddy bears and kept herself busy by dumping and pouring them for almost an hour.  She was very resistant to leaving the table (FOMO) but did pretty well staying content with her bears and a piece of paper and crayons.

Pretty content, but not perfect...

After lunch and while Ev was napping we all got out our new Geography (Notgrass 50 states) and dove in.  What fun to have everyone learning together!  I am amping up the curriculum for N and X by adding in the Heroes of History books for them (by YWAM) and having them complete the suggested writing and creativity assignments. 

We finished our first day with self portraits because I loved last year's so much.

Ev colored her background with Kwik Stix and I printed a picture of her in "pen sketch" to put on it for her 'sketch.'

During the school morning, when one or the other had a bit of down time, they completed their "Year of Art" that I gifted them.  It just takes a few minutes a day, and I think it'll be fun to look back on.

New books and notes for the first day!

Proof of readiness....for the first week!

Peep that new dining room table! LOVING the extra width and length - feeling so very grateful.

And proof that mom made an effort the first day.....here on after it'll be back to regular ole mom I imagine.

The kids ended the school day with a nerf gun shooting contest (shooting at foam targets).  It's very hot here this week so outside play during the day is difficult.  I got snuggles while Zayden waited for his turn.  He was sleepy from his early morning.

Dad ended the day with "PE" - a bike ride after supper, while I took a walk by myself.

This year I am praying that I let our school days be driven by God and His divine wisdom and not by pride and the checkmarks in my lesson book.  If you know me, you know why this is enough of a prayer for the entire year.