Yesterday was our “official” first day of school!

I had lots of helping hands late Sunday night to help me finish getting ready.

I really do have a “life is always school too” attitude, but there is something to be said for the structure of our full-time school year days verses our summer-time school days.

We have had traditions in place for the first day of school since that first year I started homeschooling, sixteen years ago!

I make a special breakfast, we take first day of school photos, and I show the kiddos all of their plans and new books.

I made homemade waffles, berry compote, bacon and fresh squeezed orange juice for breakfast – and then praised the Lord that Addie Mae was off work to help in the kitchen!

Addie took first day photos for me – and here is our line up.

Chad Ryan, 12 1/2 years old, 7th grade.

Lane Stevan, 8 years old, 3rd grade.

Tate Owen, five years old (tomorrow!), Pre K.

Eliza Claire, 4 years old, Pre K.

We jumped in with a trial schedule and a trial seating arrangement, but a whole lot of enthusiasm and excitement!

I think their Mama might have been as excited as they were!

I usually get out our pool at the beginning of the school year. I still did, even though we are starting so early and the temperatures are still summer like, well, since it is summer!

We bought a new pool for this year (much needed!), and Blake carried up the buckets of rice from the basement and filled it for me – after the four youngest kiddos were in bed Sunday night, of course!

Last week the littles and I finished up our “A” week!

We wrote the letter A in all kinds of stuff, including sand, which is a great way to give Eliza a sensory snack!

See her touching the sand? And her other hand “itching” her face? Whenever we stretch her sensory boundaries, she “itches” herself everywhere. It looks like she is “flicking” something off her skin. She itches about 25 times while I comb her hair every morning. It is a coping mechanism. Sweet, strong, brave girl!!

We had the letter “A” printables – which the littles love!

Of course we painted with cut open apples! I don’t have any photos of us doing this activity, because it was a stretch for Eliza to touch, and then there was Tate on the other side of me with open bowls of paint, if you know what I mean!

I pulled in the middle boys and we set up an apple science experiment as well! The results are very interesting so far. We will wait the full week to make our final evaluation!

And, yes, I put a post-it note on the kitchen counter in front of our experiment saying what it was when our realtor showed the farm!

Starting school this early was a mind game for me, but I am so glad now that I did! Without the bigs here, animals to take care of, and constant doctor appointments….we just need some structure to our days. It has been a blast so far!

I am still adjusting to having only four kiddos in school this year, and no high schoolers! The dynamics are so different, but very fun at the same time!

It’s “N” week this week for the littles, and the middles are settling into their new full-time routine nicely!

Looking forward to this year with my kiddos very much!