First Day of "School"

Well, it has been shamefully long since I've last blogged. And my one fan was very concerned... thanks, Kay for loving to read about us!! :) 

We had an exciting day in our house and rather than go back and catch up from the end of July through August, I figured I'd start here and then go backwards as time allows... after all there are some REALLY cute beach pics that I cannot stand not to get up on the blog! Because let me not forget that one of the main reasons I'm still sticking with this little ol' family blog of ours is to print it off, make into several books and enjoy them for all time! :) I am sure my kids will LOVE looking through the multiple books they'll have by the time their 18... right???!!! :) 

An ode to the memories...

Okay, so back to today...

Today was our first official day of school...

at home... 

Home school... school at home. 

This decision was met with LOTS of prayer. It started just about this time last year and Justin and I went back and forth on this ALL year, literally flip-flopping on the decision from month to month! I signed both kids up for school in February and kept praying, knowing I'd have until July to make my final decision. 

And in June, I did... Justin and I both agreed that the keeping the kids home from school this year would be best for our family and not because we don't love school... because we do... and not because we want to become homeschoolers, because at this point we don't, but because we felt the Lord's push in this direction and we wanted to be sensitive to that. 

Now, if you ask me in public or in every day conversation, I'd probably say something like this, "I had my mommy freak out and realized that Caden was going to kindergarten next year and I just decided I needed him home with me this year." And partially that is true, but I really sought this one out with prayer and I had fear and doubt attack me from every angle of the process. Was I making the right decision? Would I be able to do it? Would he be ready for Kinder? Would Caden miss his friends? Would people think I'm weird? Was I being selfish? Was I being afraid? 

And what about Kaki? Would she miss the opportunity to go make friends? Would she do well at home? Would I be able to help her learn when I had Caden to teach too? 

I still don't have the answers to ANY of these questions...

 Justin and I are resting in the peace that God knows what's best, even if we can't articulate the reasons why we felt his calling on us to not put the kids in school this year in the first place...because we really can't. But, sometimes that's the fun part of an adventure with God... not knowing why or where's he's taking you... just going! 

But in the every day, rather than going into the we know God wants us to do this, but we don't know how we know or why we know, we tend to pull out the "crazy helicopter mom" card when people ask us why we decided to keep the kids home this year... :) It's much easier to digest!

So from a crazy helicopter mom to you...

I present you with our first day of home school pictures...

Drum roll...

Caden was super bummed he had to actually get dressed! :) :) :)

My sweet man has been SO excited to have "mama teacher" this year. He has been telling everyone lately that he was starting school at HOME and that it was going to be the best year ever. And today he kept saying, "this is going to be the best day ever!!" I thrive on his enthusiasm and he makes me so excited to be doing this! What a blessing his energy was to me today... I was nervous! :)

The two of them are quite a pair... becoming better and better friends all the time! And looking more alike maybe too??!

It was such a treat to watch them work together today to be "tuned up" for school. Not sure why he says that, but Caden always like to be "tuned up" for things... Baylor game... school... church... anything really! :)

Kaki-girl wasn't so sure what to think about the whole school thing. Anytime we mention the word "school" she says, "I want to stay with  YOU, Mommy!" So I was clear she wasn't all that fired up at the thought of GOING to school, but once we started this morning she wasn't really all that fired up about STAYING at home for school either! :) It's a work in progress. She's never had to do things like this except for at church and I am pretty sure she RUNS the church nursery most Sundays... but this is another story for another time.

After some initial whining, fussing and crying, she eventually rolled with it. She did such a great job using a glue stick... I was shocked. The difference in boys and girls fine motor skills is just crazy! I think she and big bro might be on the same level, but Cade-man is working on it! :) 

We did 1.5 hours of school today and hope to do the same tomorrow. I am excited to see their little minds grow and develop this year and I am excited to spend this sweet time with my two treasures! 

Look at that big girl...

Apparently, teaching is hard work... so I didn't get an opportunity to snap pics of everything... BUT I did get a few snap shots of my prep work and of our day today...

Day #1 down... don't want to list how many to go... for fear of complete and total intimidation!! :)

Happy Schooling!!