Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Our First Day Of School

What do Pioneer Woman and I have in common?

Not much in the kitchen, but we both started our homeschooling this year on the same day, right after Labor Day.

What goes on in our home on the first day of school?

I promise you, it is anything but typical.

For starters, I was up late the night before, finishing up our scheduling. When I laid my head on my pillow the night before, long after the kids were in bed, I had a peace. I knew I was ready. I felt confident in our choices. I felt thankful for God's provision of all of our curriculum.

That peace was short lived. The jarring awakening came at 5:00 a.m. This is not how I planned our first day. There were drunk teenager frolicking in my pool. Thank God, they were not my teenagers. The sudden flash of the pool light scattered them. After the adrenaline rush, I was unable to go back to sleep.

This gave me a head start on laundry, prayer, and housework. Like 3 hours. I would have been content with one.

Random came into the kitchen, I gave him a big hug.

"Welcome to your first day of high school are you nervous?"

He said in his most annoying nerdy voice he could muster, "I wonder if they will like me or think I'm weird?"
I assured him.
"Yes, we like you and and yes, you are weird."

That weird boy sat before Rosetta Stone Spanish at 8:30 a.m. By nine, he had declared his undying love for the program. I am happy to report after day two, the love continues.

Paperboy was ready for his day. Our 'meeting' about his goals and plans for the week created excitement. His favorite line, "Don't worry Mom, I can do this." And he did.

By the time we started his Biology, the doorbell was ringing.

It's the repentant nighttime pool guest. He began apologizing profusely with a bouquet of flowers. All is forgiven, yet, I cannot pass up the opportunity to warn him to stop now with the bad choices. "Don't go down that road, you may never find the exit." I have a new person on my prayer list.


Random finished all of his Monarch at 12:30. I am worried already if he needs more challenge. He reminded me it is only the first day. I'll save that worry for tomorrow.

Little Guy doesn't start attending his small classical Christian school until Thursday. He was pleased that Random was free to play early. He decided Spanish is for him after sitting over my shoulder yelling the answers to MY LESSON. Yes, I too, am being schooled. I will be learning Spanish along with the boys.

Paperboy's day was much longer. Daily Grams, Excellent in Writing, Biology, Last year's Algebra, Balancing the Sword, Phonetic Zoo, American History and Spanish. And that's just the first day. Stewardship and Geometry will be added as soon as we get our book. He was plugging away all afternoon, willingly.

The threat of public school has worked for a few days.

It's great to be back in our routine.

How was your first day back?

Thanks for stopping by, Terri G.

4 comments:

Mary Prather said...

Sounds like a pretty good first day!! So ~ the flowers from the drunk kid are beautiful but was he afraid you would tell his parents, or what? Interesting.

We have considered Monarch. I would be interested to hear your thoughts.

Anonymous said...

Hi, thank you for your post. This is my first year too. You know what, we have the peace of God, that we are in the middle of his perfect will for us, and for our children. We are blessed.

Anonymous said...

Thank you.

Unknown said...

Hi Terri!
Your first day/s sound great! We are off to a good start here too! I'm back posting on my homeschooling blog so please pop by when you can!
Happy NEW homeschooling year!
Deb