One Week In Musings

So we've been at it for a week and so far...we love it! We feel a great peace and joy that just confirms that we made the right decision for our family and are covered by God's grace.

I did get Auds' work from school, so we've added that in now.

Of course it's hard when Auds asks to see her friends for recess during the day as opposed to her brothers, but she still sees them often. We did not get accepted into the large homeschool group on account of doctrinal differences, but we know God will guide us. I'm currently looking for some smaller groups. There's also a mom in our church who just pulled her son out of the same school to homeschool so I plan on reaching out to her to set up play dates.

Our routine so far is:

Wake up and eat and get ready
Family prayer
Pledge of Allegiance (I don't want them to not know what it's like to say that and want to try and instill a reverence for our country and her leaders)
We sing My Country Tis of Thee
We sing a fun kids' song like I Am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N, The B-I-B-L-E, or I've Got the Joy Down in My Heart to shake out wiggles out.
I then read a lesson from our learning Bible and we discuss it and watch any supplemental stuff they have.
Then Auds quotes her school scriptures (we're at about 15 verses aside from Sunday School and ones we teach her independently)
Then we do the Abeka work, which is really colorful and she enjoys. I give Tony color sheets from our Bible coloring book at this time.
We have a snack and break. Often the baby nurses to sleep.
We finish up any other work that needs to be done or if she wants to do extra.
Lunch and recess or quiet time.
Then we have free afternoons to do what we need to do.
The kids play with lavender cloud dough to calm them down while I make dinner.
Dinner and either get ready for church or just have time at home then bed.

Some minor "issues" I've noticed this week:

Tony gets jealous that Auds is working, so I'm trying to get creative with things to keep him occupied. Often times her scraps from art projects are perfect. He won't accept his normal non-school coloring books coz he's a big boy and wants to work.

Auds would do the entire curriculum in one day if I let her, so I've got to work on pacing her so she doesn't burn out.

Good things:

I love having her at home and I've seen a lot of her behavioral issues she'd recently developed sort of taper off. Meltdowns aren't as prevalent or as dramatic. I think it's because she's able to get more sleep and not have to be rushed in the morning to get out the door. The peaceful time sets the tone for the rest of the day.

Hopefully this good time will continue and the newness won't wear off. :)