Back to school

 So I really want to get a good head start on the year.  I know that once November rolls around and there is a new tiny person here that I will have to be a bit more occupied than I am now - and then when my awesome husband takes parental leave around the end of November and starts ripping out a wall and possibly some floor to give me a larger and more functional laundry room we will also likely be a bit crazier. Because of this I have a goal of establishing good routines right now so that the girls can carry on with their schedules as much as possible when everything goes a little crazy around here!

 

Ballerina is in Grade 11 this year.  Grade 11!!!  Can you believe that?  I can't.  I mean I really cannot imagine that I am old enough or mature enough or smart enough to impart the wisdom that a good mom will impart on someone.  And I only have 2 years left!!!  Aaaaahhhhh!  Okay, so truthfully, I know that it is not all up to me and that I can only do the best that I can, and that my influence doesn't end when she finishes grade 12, but my academic role will be over.  I do sometimes get a little overwhelmed, wanting to be sure she has all she needs to succeed academically when we are done homeschooling.  If only she had a bit more of an idea what she might want to do!  LOL! 

Tapper is in Grade 7 this year.  I mean is it just me, but doesn't Grade 7 sound super, extra old?  Grade 7, hmmm, time really does fly.  Remind me of this often, okay?  Because in the moments that I am stressed, tired or overwhelmed it seems like time doesn't move at all!  She has had a good first couple of days and so far, her favorite part has been Science.    

The Princess is in Grade 3, and that sounds a little more normal.  Grade 3 doesn't sound nearly so old, or scary, or unbelievable!  She is so smart and funny and responsible, that actually, I am often surprised that she is only in Grade 3.  Although she is almost 9 years old.  She has a January birthday so she is an old Grade 3.  She has had a great year so far and she says so far she likes all of her subjects.  (Politician answer if I ever heard one)

Dash is in Grade 1, and she is glad, but not nearly as glad and excited that she is about being in Grade 1 at Sunday School!  LOL!  She cracks me up!  She is doing well. We have a lot of work for her to do, and it is a bit of a stretch, but she is adjusting well and that smile doesn't often leave her face!  Her favorite part of school so far is Science.  She and the princess are studying Astronomy together and so far it has been fun.  She is also super excited about her first real bible.  We make it a bit of a tradition that when our kids are going into Grade 1, the year you traditionally learn to read that we give them a real translation of the Bible.  Not a bible story book, but an actual kids' Bible.  Hers is great and she loves to look at all the pictures inside!

The Toddler is just kind of hanging out.  She is lonely without my nephew to hang out with, but she colours with the girls with her own notebook when it is that time and then plays for a bit with some of the toys we try to keep put away except at school time.

 One of the best things about the first weeks of school is all the new books and supplies like I mentioned.  This year, I ordered from a Canadian company because when you factored in shipping and exchange it was actually cheaper.  But we did have to wait a little longer.  Our books did arrive by 10:00 on the first day, right after we had finished sorting out the school supplies and filling the new pencil cases!

We started Tuesday, and almost got done what I scheduled.  Wednesday we did it all and caught up from Tuesday, Thursday we had a day where life took precedence, but most of the school work still got done and now we are here at Friday.  So far, so good.