and we're off...

It is funny, even though we don't take the entire summer away from academic learning and even though learning is an ongoing experience in this household, there continues to be a magic about starting fresh in the Autumn. New books are still arriving, new subjects are being explored and new routines attempted. But, after just a few short weeks of hiatus from the math, Latin, readers, history and penmanship the little scholars here at the Suburban Ranch were itchin' to get started again. Sunshine told me the days were so slow...she missed the routine and purpose that a morning spent huddled around books and writing implements brings, I suppose.

So, like all of our public school counterparts, we dove back in on Monday morning. It wasn't a typical start, though. No, I would never want our first day to resemble the first day of a brick and mortar school. That would defy part of our purpose in home education. Rather, we started a bit late (yours truly was up a bit too late the night before organizing the Study and the studies) in the morning. First task: the chef's apprentice (Firstborn in this case) prepared, with some assistance, Buttermilk Blueberry Muffins--spiked with some lemon zest and juice to give some kick.

We marched on thru our other planned topics with a few variations. Firstborn is starting the Bravewriter Kidswrite online writing course this term and there was a really fun pre-writing game that we played (even included Sunshine in on the fun-she couldn't resist). Also, I started Firstborn on reading the history lesson to us. And, above all, I didn't think Rosebud--officially a Kindergarten aged student now--was going to be able to contain her excitement at finally starting her first Math U See workbook. I think she wanted to try to complete the entire book in one sitting. I sure hope her enthusiasm continues for years to come.

It was a completely fun first day. A low-impact Monday enjoyed by all.