Our Imperfect First Day Back to School 2015/16

Monday was the big day. I planned, cleaned, organized, prayed and tried to mentally prepare myself as best as I could. There were still plenty of things I wanted to do before hand but I knew I couldn't postpone it forever. I have shared before that we decided to homeschool through the summer but we really weren't on a strict schedule. It was nice to not be in a rush and do what we were able. Of course I had much grander dreams of what we would accomplish but I am very happy that we were able to maintain somewhat of a routine.

Our first day back to a full school schedule did not go at all as I had planned, but does it ever?  I have to say that I it really helped me to write down my goals for the year, pick a theme verse and keep in mind why we are doing this and cover our homeschool in prayer ahead of time. Though it might not have been the best day it wasn't too out of the ordinary for us.

The Morning
I didn't get up as early as I had wanted and it wasn't too long before little bodies were strewn all over me as I tried to have some quiet time. Judah offered to make breakfast(blueberry breakfast cake) so I gave him the recipe and he went at it. Unfortunately it wasn't till after he started making it that we realized we didn't have any eggs. Our chickens are usually good layers but these hot days have been getting to them also.

I had not planned on stepping one foot out of the house except to do laundry and said no at first. Judah was so disappointed that tears started forming in his eyes. I couldn't handle seeing his little heart break, especially since he was being so sweet in wanting to make breakfast for us. So to Publix we went. It almost went off without a hitch except for Ellie having a melt down in the check out line because I wouldn't let her get any candy. I know, I'm so mean. She cried all. the. way. home. and for almost a half hour after we came home. It was not how I pictured her first official day of Kindergarten.

She finally calmed down, we had our long awaited breakfast and Bible time. It was getting so late that I let the kitchen stay in the sorry mess that it was. We had to get going. By now it was 11:00. Not the early start I had hoped for.

                                                                       

Noon
Since we had breakfast so late we didn't stop for lunch. I gave the boys reading and math to do while I worked with Ellie. I have to say I am really happy with how this worked out. I was so worried about how I was going to be able to focus on her and the boys, but I was able to do all her work with her. She loved it and so did I!

During this time Simeon was busy pretending to be an Artic wolf and Luke went back and forth playing with Simeon, to getting into something, to coming to me wanting to nurse.

Luke was starting to get really tired so I tried getting him to sleep. Getting him to go to sleep without nursing has been one of the hardest things. Most/some of my babies would eventually go in their bed at some point and fall asleep on their own. Luke is in a class all his own. There was a point when I would lay him down and he would cry a little bit and then go to sleep. Then one day out of the blue he started making himself get so upset that he would throw up. I would immediately come and get him. Since then every time I have tried to lay him down he has thrown up every time.

Guess what I tried to do Monday?? Yep, I tried to lay him down in his bed. How dare I?  Luke must have thought I was crazy because not only did he proceed to make himself convulse, but before long he was spewing his breakfast all over the bed, the floor and myself. Just so you know I have talked to our pediatrician about this and he said that Luke is doing it on purpose. I was shocked at first. My baby? Make himself throw up? It wasn't long till it was confirmed when I found him sticking his hand down his mouth; forcing himself to regurgitate. These little kids are smart I tell ya.

Homeschooling with little ones is hard. Nap times have always been a life saver but this crazy kid has thrown me for a loop. After I cleaned him, myself and the floor; I finally managed to get him to sleep. Cue Angels singing!

Afternoon
By now it was 2:00 and the kids and myself were hungry so we rustled up some food and then got back to the books.
I gave Ellie a project to do by herself while I did Language with the boys. During all the kerfuffle with Luke, the boys and Ellie played Scrabble and Checkers. Simeon switched from being an Arctic Wolf to a Dinosaur. It was getting late so we finished up with a writing game, reading narration and some copywork. We didn't get to Science and History but I stuck with one of my goals of not rushing. It wasn't the ideal school day but it was a start, though it would have been nice to have a do over! I can tell that by keeping the kids doing some school during the summer, really went a long way to help us all have an easier transition.

Monday wasn't perfect, but you know what? That is okay. I am not perfect, my kids are not perfect and we don't live in a perfect world, but we do serve a perfect risen Savior!  God was so gracious to us and gave us a nearly perfect rest of the week. I still had reluctant and disobedient students, lots of messes, some temper tantrums and unfinished work, but what else would you expect from an imperfect homeschool?

How did your first day go??

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