Our first week

The boys had a great, great first week and I am so pleased, I could bust. Luke's teacher said that he tries really hard, and is extremely social and good at making friends. He was tested today in reading and is still reading behind schedule, but she said not to worry, that they have ways of helping those struggling to catch up. He is only a little behind, he is reading on a 1.5 and should be 1.8 -2.0. He is having trouble figuring out stuff, like how to pay for his lunch. I sent him with a dollar a day and only yesterday did he ever pay. He kept saying that lunches are free for 2nd graders, because no one ever asked for his money, they only said: "have a good day." He also did not realize that the fence around the playground was to keep the children in. He tried to bolt over it on day 3 and was busted. He came home the first day and announced happily. "I have my first enemy, some girls like to laugh at me and say nah!, nah!"

Evan made a friend the first day, and now has a little group of boys that he seems to spend time with, there are 3 of them, and apparently one is a rather small boy who can back flip across the gym, run up and flip on the wall, and from a squatting position do a back flip. He says his teacher praises him every day, and today he overheard her tell the librarian how polite and respectful he was. I guess they were wondering if my little homeschool boy was normal. I was also incredibly pleased when he told me that a kid on the bus was calling his seat mate a fatty. Evan told the kid to just ignore him because it wasn't true. Evan was pleased when the naughty kid got frustrated over not being paid attention to, and then the bus driver scolded the naughty boy. I was proud of the way that he handled that. I would have been pleased if he had verbally stuck up for the kid, but his way of not even engaging him was so much better.

Austin is Austin, and he is 12 going on 20. So school has been enjoyable for him, but there is no gushing or excitement about anything. He has a lot of work to do on Tues, and Thurs, and because they make him write everything in cursive, it takes him quite a bit more time. He learned cursive, but I never made him use it. He was working on his school, in total, probably 7 hours because of the writing, but he still had a good attitude and didn't complain, so that is progress. He is in a class of 5th and 6th graders when he should be in 7th, but since this school is a little unorthodox, it works out fine. Older kids come into his class for math, and he may move out for a class as well. He says he would rather stay where he is than move up.

I have to confess that one of the hardest things for us was and is, getting up in the morning. For the past 12 years I have been the maker of my own schedule, and Nate or I have never been up this early. It is not even that early, 6:30 M,W,F, because I cook breakfast on those days, and 7:00 on Tues, Thurs because the little boys eat cereal or bagels on these days and we don't have to leave the house until 7:40. I plan on bumping my get up time by 30mins so I can have a quiet time with the Lord, but for the first 2 weeks I am giving myself the chance to adjust. I know this is pathetic for all you morning people, but please have mercy on my sluggard soul.

The boys first day

Austin has to wear a uniform, his shirts with the school logo haven't come in yet so he has to wear this one every day, because it is the only collared shirt he has. The younger 2 ride the bus home, but I've missed getting a picture of that. So far, Luke loves it, Evan likes it, and Austin is tolerating it. He doesn't want to work at all, but he did say that he loves the 3 day a week schedule. It took him 3 hours on Tues to do his schoolwork, and then while Nate, Amanda, and I worked, he went swimming at Nanny's.

My biggest boy is off to school too.

This morning at 7:30 Austin's dream of finally being able to go to school came true, when our neighbor friend picked him up for his first day of school. This Monday papers were signed in a settlement agreement over our previous business, so the way was made clear for us to enroll Austin at www.trinityclassical.net This school is ideal for him, it is M, W, Fri from 8:15 to 3pm, and then on Tues and Thursdays he works from home. He will be studying Latin, Science, Math, Grammar/Literature, and History. There are only 75 students in the whole school, from 1st through high school. The school is held in a church building about 30 min from my house, but my friends 17yr old daughter is hauling him to and fro, so that is a huge blessing for me not to have to drive 2 hours a day. They put him in 6th grade for now, but will probably move him to a 7th grade math class because he is 2 years ahead of what this class will be doing for Math. His writing skills are the only thing keeping him from the 7th grade, but he requested that he be placed in the lower grade so that he wouldn't be overwhelmed, which is probably a good thing. Evan tested for 5th, but I chose to place in 4th for that very reason. We shall see how they do.

The younger boys start on Monday, and we went to open house last night to meet their teachers. Luke got his friends mother as a teacher, they live about 5 houses up the street, so he already knows her and is comfortable with her. She is an adorable blonde, smiley teacher who is very enthusiastic so I think they are a good match. Evan's teacher was very nice, and seems a little more no nonsense. When she told me that she doesn't give homework on Fridays and tries to limit hw in general, I knew she was a winner. She was also the teacher that had interviewed Evan before he was enrolled, and she was very helpful and complimentary towards us at that time, so I think we shall get along well.

I can't describe to you the relief I feel of not having to plan out the school year this time. This does not automatically mean that this is the end of my homeschooling days, but after the crazy year that we just endured, I honestly think that this is in the best interest of all my kiddos. As I alluded, our lawsuit may be over in 21 days, just as soon as all the paperwork is agreed on and signed. All things considered, we did well at the settlement, and both of us feel satisfied with the outcome. We have been running wide open for the past few months and that will continue as I get used to getting up early, making breakfast, and driving the boys and Amanda around. Amanda will be at the Tech college close by from 8am to 12noon working on getting her GED. I think that this is the best option for her, considering how neglected her academics were in the past. She is interested in a Culinary career, and this trade school offers one, so maybe in a year or so she can enroll in that. I am a little concerned about her being in a college setting 4 hours a day, but I have to start preparing her for that soon enough anyway, whether it be an outside job or school. Since she is a minor the teachers will assist me in keeping a closer eye on her interactions with other students, and her attendance.

A new day has come!!!