4th Grade Musical - "School Daze"

Before the show shots.

We got to listen to the song "The Concert Etiquette Rap" for WEEKS before the show.  The title of the song really points to how truly annoying of a song it is.  At least Capri struck the best pose during the actual performance.

First Day of School

Kindergarten

Fourth Grade

Capri was beyond excited for school to start.  She is everything I wished I was growing up.  Responsible, organized, stylish, beautiful, and oh so confident.  

Third Grade

Jeff gave all the kids father's blessings before school today.  The spirit was strong for all, but especially for Rome's.  Jeff said some things that struck me in particular.  Afterwards, Jeff whispered to me "Rome is a very special spirit".   I know he's right.

I managed not to cry when we dropped Sable off at her classroom.  But only because I cried at back to school night a few days ago.  She's tough for me to send away.  In my head, she is still my "Sable baby".  Her hair hasn't grown, and she is the easiest child in the world.  In my head I bounce her on my hip and she smiles at everything. 

In reality, she's 6.  Her hair is long (longer even last night before I cut several inches off).  She gets grumpy and has a lot of opinions.  She has crushes and likes to put up a fight. 

But she still is ready for a snuggle anytime.  She is kind to others and thinks of them often.  She would happily let me bounce her on my hip - if only I wasn't worried I'd break in two. 

Be bold and strong my Sable baby, I'll miss you terribly.

First Day of School

We started on the day school SHOULD start, the day after Labor Day.

Beautiful second grader

Handsome first grader

Cute and sassy pre-schooler

Our classroom



I wanted to paint our basement off-white before we started school. It didn't happen, yet.









Our theme for the year is "Learn and Grow". I love the quote on the right from Elder Russell M. Nelson. In case you can't read it, it says "Your mind is precious! It is sacred. Therefore, the education of one's mind is also sacred. Indeed, education is a religious responsibility."



Book bins



Very excited littles!



Finding their desks



We started with the pledge and then an opening prayer.





Organizing supplies



Storytime



Art project - "I Spy" covers on their new sketch books




Puzzles and games





Recess







Math



Sign language

We also went swimming for PE. Then it was back home to write in journals and clean up the classroom.

It was a really good first day. After a year of deliberating whether we should do homeschooling, months of worrying if we were making the right decision (and hearing everybody's opinion about it), and weeks of pre-school nervousness (from me) it all went off without a hitch. For our family, I know we've made the right decision to try this out for the year. If all goes well, and we want to continue, the kids will go back to public school at grade 7. Homeschool will continue to be the kids choice. If one wants to go back to public school before then, they will. If Sable wants to go to Kindergarten at public school, she will.

For now, we're happy with our decision and looking forward to the future!