Easing Back Into School

Boy this summer has gone by fast! We have of course been very busy, but it seems like we just ended our school year and now it is time to begin a new one. Instead of jumping right back into a full schedule and causing large amounts of stress for me and the urge to run screaming from the room from the children, we prefer an easing back into school approach. Monday we are heading to the big city for a visit to the Pediatric Dentist (no cavities, just checkups for everyone but Lily.) As a celebration for being good at the dentist :) plus a back to School celebration, we will get to visit the McDonalds with the playplace. Happymeals for everyone and I might even be talked into the new snack size McFlurries. The rest of the week we will have a "light" school schedule working on just a couple of subjects every day. We are starting with Bible/character, Handwriting, Art, Read Aloud, and a little Math. Next week I will add in Science and History, and finally Language Arts and Spelling, and Spanish and Home Ec for Chelsea the next week. This approach worked very well for me last year to get both me and the children back into a "normal" routine. My biggest challenge this year is about 18 months old, very cute, but very nosy. Keeping her out of trouble and occupied while we are working will be interesting especially since we will all be in the living room or dining room. We have survived homeschooling with a toddler many times before and we will again this year. I am looking for ward to the new school year and all of the fun things we are going to learn and do.