Hayden completed his first full week of Kindergarten and Kate is enjoying doing some fun hands-on Preschool activities.  For the first few weeks of school Kate will be working on completing projects that go along with the song "The Wheels on the Bus" and then putting them together in a lapbook (from Hands of a Child, I Love Hands of a Child Lapbooks!).  Hayden has really enjoyed studying Egypt this week and likes our switch to Tapestry of Grace.  I think one of the big positivies in his mind are the hands-on projects. 

I love our switch to Tapestry of Grace!  I have found this week that I'm homeschooling my children the way I've always dreamed of.  I think that switching to TOG has given me freedom and structure at the same time.  Once we made the decision to change direction last spring I started to really evaluate the curriculum I use in the other subject areas.  I long in my heart to try to be a Charlotte Mason home educator but struggle with the implementation while juggling the logistics of managing my home.  So, I've taken the attitude that I'll try to do things as well as I can and use whatever helps I deem worthy through careful analysis and prayer.  That journey led us to the different curriculum we are using this fall and momma loves the choices so far!  I do not feel that anything we are using is laborious and yet I am quite happy with the amount of learning that is happening.  Yea! 

I am so grateful that I took the summer to diligently plan our Tapestry units out in detail.  I know that this will help me to stay on task and actually accomplish the goals I've set for this year.  I told dh that this week has been almost like a big sigh for us.  I have been able to relax during our rest times and not stress over unfinished projects.  I've also noticed that the children are not squabbling as much because they have focused things to do.  I love a vacation and a break from the norm but I truly believe a home runs much better on a schedule and that children long for activities that engage their minds in a deep way.   

We did well with our schedule this week but are still learning to manage it.  I will give it a few weeks before I consider readjusting too much.  There weren't any obvious kinks in it (except momma being late to start the day).  We didn't manage to complete any chores (outside of personal hygenine and dishes/meals/laundry) this week so we momma will have to ramp up on time management in the next couple of weeks.  I'm so thankful for a dh who gives me lots of grace in the area of housekeeping during these years when the children are all small.  I'm also quite thankful for the women that God has blessed me to know over the years.  I've heard countless times that they [the children] are only small once, so enjoy it!  I try to not fuss over how little my house gets vaccumed and enjoy reading stories with them instead.  It is a hard balance to strike sometimes but I'm thankful for the message of grace I've received and the grace dh gives me on a daily basis. 

We are off on our journey and looking forward to all the fun ahead!

Here are a few of my favorite moments from the week.

  Pickles loves  Math U See!  Especially when you eat peanut butter crackers while you work.

Pumpkin making soapy letter B's (and eating peanut butter crackers).

RECESS! 

Bible Time...We finished studying Joesph this week.

A tissue box bus. 

Pickles painting his paddle doll.  He did a great job using the brush to outline the doll's features!

Pickles making his "Gooey Geography Island".  He loved mixing the dough and making his first salt map.  We'll paint it next week.