September 3, 2008
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Onto the Yellow School Bus and Through the Gates of Hell
Yes, I confess, I thought of that book title when two of my kids got on the school bus this morning for the first time in their lives. (The book is by by Mary Hood, a proponent of relaxed homeschooling, which you can buy on Amazon for 55 cents used, if that tells you anything.)
Yesterday, though, was the first “official” day of school. For the first time, it was just Little Miss and I for homeschool. We did a lot of cooking and such, which was an interesting way to start a first day.
[Feel free to skip this tedious "We Went Here and There and There" section.] Then, the running began–pick up Gockle and Libby from school (they go half-days to the middle school), pick up TGD, go to the car shop where the van was being detailed (I have a totally clean van–HUZZAH!), send LibbyK with TGD so he could later take her to GhostFroggy’s house so they could go to the Jonas Brother’s concert later that night, hang around at the library, pick up Hunter and Wit, go to Dairy Queen for a first day of school treat, home to a crock pot roast (which is one of the things Little Miss and I made in the morning), off to football practice, and then wait for poor, tired TGD to bring LibbyK home from her concert at 11:30 p.m.Yes, that schedule is more normal for this year than I’d like to confess. Hunter was offered a job at a day care near our house doing after-school care/homework help for K-5s M, W, and F from 3:00 to 6:30. This job is even more perfect than you’d think as he is considering majoring in elementary education next year in college. LibbyK works two afternoons a week as a mother’s helper. Wit has a full day of classes at the school (many architecture/computer electives) and three homeschool classes.
Yesterday, Gockle said, “I’m so excited for tomorrow! I’m so excited!”
“Why?” several of us asked.
“Because we have SCHOOL!” he cried.
Yeah. That’s enough to warm the cockles of a lapsed homeschooling mother’s heart. Oh, yeah. (grimace)Little Miss is still firmly homeschooled and has shown a lot of Handy Manny initiative. She wanted to make a cat bed for our new kitten (which we suppose we might finally get in 2022 when the application is approved.) She found wood at the house, measured, and planned. TGD had to help her with the cutting and getting the nails started. But, this is what she made.
Today we are going to pull out the sewing machine and make a cushion for it. She’s more than excited.And, Monday, besides being a relaxing picnic at my mom’s, was TGD’s birthday. Happy Birthday, dear husband!
Enough blathering. How is your September shaping up so far?
Comments (20)
Oh my goodness. Honest-to-goodness SCHOOL? Like with segregated ages and stuff? But aren’t you worried about their socialization?
Next year in college…what?!? How did that happen so quickly?!? I think that all of the FBC “kids” have started aging much more quickly since we moved away.
Sounds like your September is off to a busy start! We’re off to a sleepy start. I think that Baby J must be getting new molars or something, and we’re up no less than 6 times a night this week. I’m hoping that the rest of the month doesn’t continue that way!!
Good job Little Miss!
Enough blathering. How is your September shaping up so far?
HECTIC! LOL.
God bless you, Mary.
I had to laugh at the kitten comment. I know I have been in that application mess. I truly think it would talk less approval process to adopt an over seas orphan than a stray animal in a shelter now.
Congrats on the first day of School!
Happy B’day! to your dear man.
I’ll be watching your year with interest as you combine the homefire with the public one.
I think we passed the Jonas Bros. tour bus on our way out of town on Monday!
That isn’t TGD is it? no way! Who is that?
And huh? kids in school am I confused? I don’t entirely get it. So they are in “school” two days a week or some half days. we were in the sun all day and I am very dense.
You just started? I’ve already slipped back into the routine. I’ve been thinking about you guys lately, wondering what’s new in your lives. I actually started to read the Stephenie Meyer books while I was in New Mexico – quite a few people had copies.
Oh too busy! Goodness. But I am enjoying getting back to the normality of school. I like to be organized and have my day scheduled out. And, oddly enough, school helps me do that. Always enjoy your posts.
they look cute with their shining little faces and hubby is how old?
Whenever I feel swamped I need to come and read all of that again, I won’t feel as busy.
Nice masculine wrapping paper.
@ElizabethDNB - </p
Yes, that is my dear 43 year old husband.
As for school, I forgot that the long post I typed about our school vanished when I tried to post it. So, I’ll write about it in a new entry.
The kids look much more excited in this year’s picture!
I love first day of school pics. I’ll bet your kids’ teachers were thrilled to see them as well. They just look like the kind teachers love
September? It has to be better than August! I’ll let you know in a few weeks.
Hugs,
Renee
Your busy schedule sounds oddly familiar, only my runs take me to different places. I have issued a warning to my 16 year old: before you volunteer for one more thing, consider this…does it mean I have to run you here and there because sometime I have to devote myself to the four kids I am still homeschooling.
I’m having a really rough start to my September and for the first year I have questioned why I do this…(homeschooling) yuk! It sounds like a few of us are off to a rough start…
September has been pretty much the same for me.
Happy Birthday to TGD!! I thought those were coordinated school supplies for a minute, and I was thinking I hadn’t realized plaid was the new Hanna Montana.
I am glad they are liking school. Quintus liked it after he got over worrying he was behind everybody else.
Hi! If I read this correctly, you have some kids who are transitioning from homeschooling to public school? If you ever need a “listening ear” from a teacher’s perspective…I’ve had kids in my classroom who were adjusting to school after having been homeschooled. I’m hear if you need that.
Also, if your son is thinking of majoring in elementary education, show him the DoDDS school system (dept of defense dependents schools) http://www.dodea.edu because it’s a wonderfully strong school system (the best one I’ve ever worked for) with a solid salary and out-of-this-world benefits like your rent and utilities being paid above your salary, federal retirement benefits and so forth. Doubled my teacher’s salary from public schools, and I got to live overseas safely…the military assigned me a sponsor to help me adjust (and help with apartment hunting, car shopping, paperwork, etc.) and a base is one of the safest ex pat communities out there.
Here vs hear…I do know the difference, hehe