Monday, August 15th, was our first day of school for the 2022-2023 school year!

The teacher of these kiddos almost called it off to wait one more week to start because I had not had enough time to get ready.

I am glad I did not wait!

I was able to get enough done to have a “soft” start for our first week (for Lane anyway, since it was Lane I wasn’t completely ready for), which turned out perfect.

Keeping with tradition, we had a special breakfast and took some first day of school photos.

French toast, a green smoothie and bacon was a yummy start to the school year!

And now look at my line up for this year!

Lane Stevan, 14 years old, ninth grade

Tate Owen, 11 years old, fifth grade

Eliza Claire, 10 years old, fifth grade

Aren’t they good looking students??!

It seems like such a small class this year, though, doesn’t it?

I cannot believe I only have three to teach this year!

We start our school morning with Bible time all together, and this year we are working through a curriculum called Morning Virtues.

We have started with the character trait of courage and we are studying the book of Joshua in the Bible.

It has been fantastic!

We also work on memory work each day.

I am working Tate and Eliza toward more independent learning this year – and they have embraced it fully!

After the first day, Eliza told me (as she hugged me!), “I love the school, MOM! I love the checklist! I love the basket for my books and I love the pencil! I love it all, Mom!”

So, so fun to teach such enthusiastic joyful children!!

So far they have been sitting at the kitchen table for their table work, which takes about an hour to an hour and a half each morning.

Lane has been using the school room/office to do his work.

He finds it distracting to be with the rest of us, and also needs the computer for his math course.

Lane’s ninth grade work includes Teaching Textbooks Algebra, Easy Grammar for language, Beautiful Feet History through Literature, and Apologia Physical Science.

Lane joins us for art.

Lane also spends a huge chunk of time on his on-line STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) class that Blake teaches and helps him with.

Our fifth grade work includes ABeka Math, Daily Gram and Easy Grammar for Language, BJU Spelling, Cursive practice, and ABeka Read & Think reading comprehension.

We are doing History through Literature, and also going through Apologia Swimming Creatures for Science.

Of course there is still piano practice and lessons, and art!

It all has been super duper so far and I am enjoying it as much if not more than the kiddos!

After Tate and Eliza listen as I read History and Science, they do an illustration and narration of what they heard.

There is so much learning in this simple thing we do!

And they enjoy drawing and retelling what they have heard.

Eliza writes the funniest things – be sure to read her Science narration!

For art class this year we have started to learn a new medium thanks to a sweet girlfriend who gifted the course to us!

We are learning how to draw with chalk pastels.

We all LOVE it!!

I think I will have more art to frame and hang on the walls real soon!

Right now, because of the amazing weather, we have been going for a bike ride after our table work each morning.

It is very important to me that we get outside often each day – and what a better way to get your wiggles out and get some fresh air into your lungs!

Tate told me this is his favorite thing we have been doing everyday!

We will continue to do it every day too, well, until it gets below zero out there this winter!

Sometimes when we are done biking we finish our math problems on the front porch while sitting in a little Chinese squat.

She makes me smile!

We are only two and a half weeks into our school year, have found our rhythm, worked out the bugs, and are all enjoying our days very much!

I am excited to watch these beautiful children learn and grow this year!!

They are inspiring to be around, and fill our lives with so much love, life, laughter, and JOY!

What a privilege to be their mama, teacher and friend!!

School year 2022 – 2023, you are off to a great start!

Looking forward to many more days ahead!