School starts!

After a few weeks of painting, fixing things up, moving and unpacking, I am finally to a point where I can sit down to blog a little bit. I wanted to get everything done before we went back to school on Monday. I have to say I was close. I still have a few token boxes around that need to be unpacked but I will get there soon enough. We did start school on Monday! I am thrilled to say the kids are so excited and things are going great so far. Our house has a little loft in it that I turned into our classroom.

Barry Bretton started 2nd grade this year and I am trying a few new things. We are going to learn all the presidents of the U.S. together this year on top of all his regular studies. I am also trying a box system where all his work is located in the boxes for the day in sequential order. I am hoping this keeps him on task if I get caught up and can't be right there with him to move him along.

This is just a picture of our school and kids at work.

I have decided to start kindergarten curriculum with Vallie this year mainly because she is ready. She doesn't turn 5 until December so she can't officially "start school" but she already writes her name (and some sentences) like a pro and reads way better than Barry Bretton did when he entered Kindergarten (and he was by himself in the top reading group). So it will be interesting what happens next year. I don't really want to wing it on my own (that is why I love Odyssey) but they will want her to start kindergarten and she will be way beyond that. So I may just have to.

I think my hardest dilemma this year will be keeping this little man busy. Wish me luck with that one!