This is our first year homeschooling using a cyberschool.  I was a little worried we would not like it since I do not do well with structure, but so far we love it.  It turns out you don't really have to have it that structured or do any of the busy work.  The older kids like structure and keep it a little more structured, but Xander and I are really having fun with it.  He's more like me and learns better this way.  I love to hear him explain in details what he has learned.  He's doing phonics as part of language arts.  I personally do not like phonics, but it seems to be the only thing helping him learn to read and he is really enjoying it.  We have really been struggling with this department. 

School started out a little rough with the move, getting used to a new way of doing things, and our new (very fun) surroundings.  It's hard to keep the kids indoors.  Funny, before we moved I couldn't get them to go outside.  I've been wanting to take pictures and blog so that we have something to look back on and reminisce, but things have been so hectic.  I was able to remember to take some pictures on Thursday, September 3.  I didn't take too many of the kids outside which I regret.  The farm needs a lot of work and as a family we are looking forward to tackling it.  We will start today.  I Hope I remember to take pictures! 

We went to bed late the night before as we are still unpacking and cleaning.  The kids stayed in their PJs and had blankets and pillows downstairs as we started the school day.  I didn't mind since It starts out very cold in the mornings and everyone was kind of sulky from the night before.  Our classroom isn't finished.....it's actually become a little of a storage room as we continue to unpack (I'm going to have to remember to take before and after pictures).  For this reason we were in the living room, which is a huge mess right now.  You will notice my chaise is in the middle of my living room right smack in the middle of the couch and television.  My bookshelves that belong in the classroom are still in my living room.  We still haven't figured out what to do with the extra living room set since we have three, so right now it's sitting in the classroom.

Well here is a slide show of the fourth day of our school.  I really wish I would have taken more pictures of when we were outside.  Lots of "Science" time.  Not the boring "school" science, but the fun natural way of learning science.  We chased and studied crickets (wow, they sure do jump high), followed a caterpillar and discussed it's life cycle before turning into a butterfly, plus many other outdoorsy life learning.  We were so excited when Dad (dh, not "my" dad) got home, that I completely forgot to grab my camera.  I did manage to get some pics of the kids helping Dad with the mowing tractor.