The First Day

Okay, so the first day has come and gone and I only wanted to quit once. I only said the bad word (public school) once. In all reality I wouldn't quit homeschooling for anything. I love it. Good days and bad. We got our problem worked out and are ready for a new day tomorrow. I love being in a new routine. Hopefully we can keep it up. Here it is:

6:00 am I wake up and exercise, read my Bible, write out my goals for the day, start breakfast, and shower. My goal is to be out of the shower by 7:00 am. Didn't quite make it this morning, but I'll work on it.
7:00 kids get up and shuffle slowly into the kitchen to eat.
7:20 (ish) we start our morning routine: get dressed, brush teeth, make bed, chores.
8:00am Exercise, this time the kids join in, then Bible Time, then school starts.
10:00am snack time and more school
12noon Lunch.
1:00 School projects (all the 'extras')
After that is done: finish chores, if applicable, and FREE TIME. This is when the kids can watch an episode of TV, or play the Wii for a little bit, and just play.
Toddler takes a nap at 2 and I RELAX.
5:oo clean up time.
Then dinner, free time, showers, and bed at 8:30!
I try to be ASLEEP at 10, or at least in bed.
And now what you've all been waiting for... FIRST DAY PICTURES!

Curriculum 2012-2013

Last year (our first year) I did a box set curriculum. I didn't know what  I was getting myself into homeschooling, and I thought it would be a right fit for me. For me it was: no prep, just workbooks to work through. For my daughter: HORRIBLE. We made it through the year, only having to switch to a different math. But this year I decided to do something different. I have a very eclectic choice of curriculum. No two subjects are from the same publisher. So here it goes:

For My Girl: (8, Grade 3)

Bible: Grapevine Studies (New Testament Overview)

English: BJU English Grade 3

Handwriting: Handwriting Without Tears (cursive)

Spelling: Sequential Spelling

Literature: Charlotte's Web (and other books, not sure which one's yet, study/lapbook from Confessions of a Homeschooler)

Math: Math U See Gamma

History: The Story of the World-Volume 1
.
Science: Apologia's: Exploring Creation with Zoology 3

Geography: Confession's of a Homeschooler's: Expedition Earth

For My Older Son: (4 1/2)

He will be listening and joining in on activities with Grapevine Studies, Science, History, and Geography. I'm going to very lightly introduce 'formal homeschool' to him. I know he's young, but he's interested, so I'm going to take this opportunity to teach him.

Reading/Phonics: Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons

Math: Math U See Primer (I'm probably going to start this about half way through the year, or when he's ready and will continue it next year. He's not quite ready for it, but will be soon.

Handwriting: Letters and Number for Me (Handwriting Without Tears)

I'm also possibly going to add in: Confessions of a Homeschooler's K4 curriculum.

My Younger Son:

Working on Colors and singing the ABC's. Lots of playtime and reading books.

I noticed that CBD has a lot of the above for the cheapest prices I could find. I HIGHLY recommend Confessions of a Homeschooler. I love love love her curriculum and she has been such and encouragement to me especially when I was starting to think about homeschooling. And that's it. For now. I'll let you know how I like them all.