We took our traditional first day of school picture this year with Hot and Hotter or Lewis and Clark or Pancho and Lefty. I still haven't found a name that's really stuck.
The two cute ones? That's Audrey and Emma, of course!
We always take a picture on the first day of school. Here's one and another and another.
We had a GREAT first day of school. It took way longer than I thought it would (from 9 to 3) and we got everything done. I know everyone said to ease in, and we went into the day with the attitude that we'd just do as much as we felt like doing. But the girls kept wanting to continue, so we did.
We did have a little grumpiness around 2, but it quickly passed when we started math. Wait, did I just say that MATH TOOK AWAY THE GRUMPIES? I did! And it did! Weird, huh?
We started the day with our Bible lesson after praying for the day and the year of doing school together. Audrey and Emma have never really been one for learned prayers (except for singing grace at mealtimes, of course!) and their prayers this morning blessed my socks off.
(Wait! I'm not wearing socks. In fact, I've worn my same bronze flip flops from Old Navy for at least part of every day since we've moved.)
Anyway, we did Bible and talked through John 1:1-19, learned about the Mayan Indians, studied history and geography, started reading three or four different books, had a writing assignment, worked on spelling, did some science, and conquered the grumpies with math. PHEW!
Here's our cubby of supplies:
And our basket of the books we're using this week:
And my huge book of lesson plans and worksheets and study guides:
And some pictures of the day:
(Not sure what Audrey was doing. I think the day was officially over by then, but they love the manipulatives that came with their math curriculum.)
I'm excited about some of the books we started today--I'll do my best to create a page on my Amazon bookshop by the end of the week so you can take a peek.
But I'm more excited about how much fun we had, how well we all worked together, and how much we learned. I had pretty high expectations about today, and am so glad the day lived up to them!
I kept track of how long everything took today and will continue to do that for the rest of the week (or for the next few weeks perhaps) so I have a better idea of how to schedule our time. For now, I'd best go get some housecleaning done. That's my usual Monday task and it's not done yet!
Congrats on having a great first day! Looking back through the pictures of their first days it was amazing to see how much they've grown. They are both just beautiful girls.
Hope you have a great year.
My daughter starts kindergarten this year and I'm not which one of us is more excited!!
Diane
Posted by: Diane | August 03, 2009 at 06:20 PM
We started today as well, and I bet, if you are liked me, you are pooped this evening! But, we also had so much fun and will be raring to go again in the morning! :)
Posted by: stephanie | August 03, 2009 at 07:38 PM
Oh my goodness. Your pictures made me want to home school myself and I've been out of high school for 9 years! Your lesson plan binder gave me giddy feelings inside. How on earth do you even begin getting curriculum or even deciding what company to go with? Or what companies even exist in the first place?
I bought some bronze super squishy, comfy flip flops from Old Navy last year and I'm wondering if they're the same ones you are wearing. I wear them EVERY SINGLE DAY! They are so comfortable!
Posted by: Bethany Peters | August 03, 2009 at 09:03 PM
That is great! Now I can tell my 7 year old he is not the first one to start school (We start next Monday). We are beating the local schools by about two weeks.
Posted by: Kimberly | August 03, 2009 at 09:28 PM
This post thrills my soul!! Way to go, Audrey and Emma! (and mom!!)
Posted by: Marla Taviano | August 03, 2009 at 09:29 PM
First day of homeschool with a positive review! Way to go girls!!! Praise God for answered prayers!
Posted by: Carrie | August 03, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Oooh! Congratulations on your first day of home school. You have a lovely little class!
You will have such a wonderful time teaching your girls. I'm nearly a teacher! (Only a couple more months before I graduate from university) Teaching makes me so happy.
Can't wait to see how you girls come along!
AnnieXX
Posted by: Annie | August 04, 2009 at 02:24 AM
Keep up the great work! And, yes, that is fantastic that math took away grumpiness [smile].
~Luke
Posted by: Luke Holzmann | August 04, 2009 at 09:57 AM
WOW you are one ORGANIZED MAMA! ~Our homeschool is not at all run quite so neatly~I would love your talents!~ (((((HUGS))))) sandi
Posted by: (((((HUGS))))) sandi | August 04, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Looks like a great first day... congratulations! And I have the same bronze flip flops too!
Posted by: julie | August 04, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Wow! That's very encouraging! I am starting to homeschool this fall for the first time and I am scared silly! I hope I can find ways to make it enjoyable for me kids.
Why are you starting at the beginning of August? I live near Chicago and school doesn't start here until the end of the month, so I was planning to start then, too. Just curious...
Posted by: everydayMOM | August 04, 2009 at 04:17 PM
So exciting! Love the pics.
How great that your girls are excited and want to work! I have one that I can't imagine ever teaching (or his being excited about working) and one that I think would love it. The third - he's a little young to tell.
Since my older two will be in school soon - I can live my "only if" homeschooling wishes out through you.
Looks like the 3 of you will have a great year!!
Posted by: Kristy | August 04, 2009 at 09:40 PM
You're doing it!!! He is giving you what you need...you will have such a wonderful year of memories and 'firsts'...I admire your tenacity. I'll be praying for you and your girls:) love, diana
Posted by: diana weber | August 09, 2009 at 03:59 PM