First Day of School 2013

Last year  homeschooling went so well, I knew we would continue. I really loved the idea behind the Charlotte Mason method, but I needed something a little more structured. I considered switching to Abeka curriculum and a few others. Unfortunately I just was not thrilled with it. I decided to stick with Charlotte Mason and then a wonderful friend who has helped me so much with home school gave me another resource. It was EXACTLY what we needed. It was perfect. So the past few weeks I have been knee deep in lesson plans, book ordering, and school supply shopping.

I also realized the kitchen table was not going to work anymore. I wanted to hang the kids artwork and had a map I wanted to use. I also hated that the bright blue calendar was in my dining room. I have visions of a huge canvas or print of the kids hung there. First, I needed to get rid of the bright blue calendar. After a bit of brainstorming we decided to take the room we eventually will turn into an upstairs bathroom and make it the homeschool room for now. It had all of Anthony's tools and house fixing supplies in it along with panel doors and some old wood. The entire upstairs is plaster. Let me just preface this entire thing by saying old houses have LOTS of character only because when you try to do anything it always takes 3 times as long. Also, plaster is not forgiving in the least bit and sometimes just any movement gives cracks in the walls. I had grand plans of using some chalkboard paint on the walls. After realizing that was not going to work, that project will have to wait. Regardless we love our house. 

The kids helped us clean out the room......

 

The best thing about finishing this room is we spent a total of $16 on the actual fixing of the room. The perks sometimes of Anthony's job is working in schools and he was able to bring home the table and chairs probably a year ago. The map was also recovered from a school as was the carpet. We had the paint already. The shelf was given to us from Anthony's mom. All we needed was glue for the floor and we have a simple room makeover. I have visions of an Ikea organization one day. For now this works!! I am proud of it and I know the kids love it. 

We didn't let the kids see the finished room until yesterday morning. They were so excited to go up and see it.

I of course went out and took their photos. 

 

They picked out their own clothes and of course wanted their backpacks. I laugh because I know they won't use them but this one day. 

 

Of course Ari is crying in the above picture....figures!! I also need to work on Lilliana's putting her knees together. Although I should just be glad she has underware on. LOL 

Here is the video of seeing the room for the first time (don't mind Ari screaming in the background, I had to move him to his crib as he was pulling things off shelves and being Ari).........

Here is a bit of our morning.......... 

 

While Lilliana may be sitting there she is not expected to do what Eli does. Each month they get a calender to color and fill out. I have printed one for her too. She is working on coloring in the lines. She also has a sketch pad like Eli but just scribbles. She loves it. Many times I have her sitting on the floor playing quietly with Ari or reading books. What you don't see is the master of disaster wrecking everything below my feet....AKA Ari. 

I do love this curriculum as if focuses on God, Character training, and Art appreciation. Of course we don't leave out reading, writing, math, history, and science. I just love that the others are just as important. 

All in all it was an excellent first day. As we speak the kids are getting dressed and headed upstairs to begin day two. Although I won't be publishing this until after as I am waiting on videos to upload.

One day I will get to that vacation post:) I am almost done with the rest of the pictures!