School is back in session!

Summer break has come to an end, and now the new year has begun.

I do enjoy getting back to it all, back to schedules and the kids busy with learning. Although this year things are a little (okay, a lot) busier. Last year when Matthew was younger we were able to pretty much keep to our schedule. Now with both Matthew & Levi... well.... school isn't as smooth as a schedule!

We started on August 22nd and have completed two weeks now. For the most part it's gone really well. Two key things for us to keep in mind:

(1) ORGANIZATION

(2) FLEXIBILITY

As long as we've got our day organized (including appointments, meals and services) we seem to hum along, however, we do seem to school in snippets of time. When Levi is napping and Matthew isn't into mischief then we power through a few lessons together. 

It's been different, but it's been good.

First day of school always starts with a few surprises. Some special school supplies (and other goodies) are wrapped up awaiting our first morning together.

This year Matthew got a few things too. A new box of Melissa & Doug crayons (which I heard were bomb proof, but apparently not Matthew-proof!), a new book, some playdoh and a DVD. Yes, all distraction gifts! ;)

We dove right into science and the experiments began. Joshua's first one was on density.

They all had fun guessing what items would pass through the oil, water & corn syrup.

On the top of Sarah's favorite classes is art. We decided to start with a cartooning kit I had purchased last year. Kids are having lots of fun with their doodling skills!

Even Megan, who is not all that fond of art, thought the cartooning was fun.

Megan's form of "art" is still in the kitchen where she continues to create delicious bites for us to enjoy. She made these cakepops for Levi's baby shower. They tasted as good as they look!

Geography this year is much more hands on (and hopefully much more enjoyable!). 

Our first unit is on our home: Earth. So we decided to make a paper mache of our Earth. (*More photos to come*. We learned how God just spoke the Earth into existence.... it's taking us a number of days to attempt a 3D replica!)

HA! This photo cracks me up.

Megan really enjoys science. This year we got the full chemistry kit and she was quite happy to see they included a pair of safety goggles!

She has already completed her first module.

So the first two weeks have been good. Exhausting? Yes. Challenging? At times, but oh so worth it! I love having the kids home and learning all together.

May the Lord bless our 2012/13 Little Gray School House!