Of 1st Days, of School, of Life -

This was the beginning of my stand behind the car on the first day of school & take a picture days - kindergarten circa 1984 : )

Fast forward 29 years .....

Here's the truth - I forgot the back of the car picture on the 1st day - so we celebrated the 2nd day with balloons & a back of the car picture.

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I am all in favor of celebrating the first week of school. Celebrating that it started ... that it ended .... that we survived : )

We celebrated with picnics & pudding cups, library trips, balloons, 1st day of school pictures & art.

As a mom its not my goal in life to be fun & make sure my kids are always happy. As a teacher I have looser morals :)

I want them to enjoy learning. I want them to know how to learn. I want them to love the Lord with all their minds. I don't want school to be a drag.

Sure math facts just have to be memorized - that takes effort & work. So does piano practice & handwriting.

And while we're working back into a school routine - earlier to bed, earlier to get up, more structure to our days  - They haven't technically started math .... or even history yet, or had a spelling test [gasp!]

Just wait kids, it's coming : )
Actually Sailor can't wait to start history & they have drilled math facts ... 'member those take effort & work! 
But this year our academic goals are mixed in around our life goals in a way they haven't been before.

I'm excited .... it's going to be fun : )

benny was so excited that he found his 'school' shirt for the 1st day -

Hello Ben, on the first day of first grade. I know mornings aren't your thing. I like your half a smile, thanks for taking your coat off & letting me take your picture.

Jacky & I compromised .... he got to wear cowboy boots & his 'dark jeans' (.... w/ holes in the knees) I got to comb his hair & pick a collared shirt : )

Sailor was keeping with the team spirit of my back porch pictures all the while pretty interested in us leaving!

Pig tails and my old dress, lacy socks & missed jelly by the lip - slay me. Hello kindergartener Molly.

If I would've seen my old school picture first she could have worn that dress .... but we went with our own tradition ....

sailor on her 1st day of kindergarten - circa 2008

Chad's excited school started - he's keeping things lively, there's a reason why 19 month olds don't go to school  :)

Running is back in the routine. Benny gets extra props for getting out of bed in time ... 3 days in a row!

Awana started - probably one of their favorite parts of the week.

School happens in so many more places than just at a desk!

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Kindergarten is officially only 4 days a week. On Molly's off day she 'taught' Regan everything she'd learned so far.

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where is jack's balloon picture, you ask. good question! we had to punt & used this one instead :)

Binders .... every day she goes over calendars & weather charts & math & geography & phonograms & verses & her address & all that is kept in a binder. Really her favorite subject should be accessories : )

i just realized ... she's almost 4 ... in 15 days :)

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 It is such a dream to be with these kids. I could go all sentimental & say how I can't believe they're ours. I can't believe this is what I do all day ...

It's so much work. It's so much fun.

Bless the Lord, O my soul - worship His Holy Name. Sing like never before .... I will worship His holy name.

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