It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks, and next week promises to be busy with some family visiting. I think we have most everything in place for school. Lest my last post sounded toooo jaded, let me say I do truly look forward to us getting back into some semblance of a 'schedule' and regular school time. I am more of a checklist kind of gal though, vs a strict schedule.

I think this is the least amount of money I've spent on school in many many years. Math is covered since I've got every level of Saxon published, I think! Like one online friend noted, this is my 4th year teaching the 4th grade (to different children, LOL!) and I pretty much have everything I need for her. Oh, I had to buy her a new Language Arts student book. The only really 'new' thing I've added this year to our curriculum is the Beautiful Feet guides for history. We love literature based history, and I thought it might be a nice framework to guide our notebooking and reading time. We are doing the U.S. guides this year.

Some 'notes to self' for the coming year:

• Stay flexible--pray a LOT
• Remember to reach out to those around us, vs. becoming hermits
• Avoid getting too busy with outside activities--and DONT answer the phone during school hours, unless it's my wonderful hubby
• Try to keep a balance between my reponsibilities at home, church and what comes along with dh's position in the military
• Take time for things I enjoy....music, scrapbooking, reading, biking, walking....
• Remember I only have these children for a season--this will be over quicker than I know it, so it's ok to have an 'ice cream appreciation day' once in awhile instead of bookwork!