Kindergarten Take 3

Today was the official start of J-Monster's Kindergarten year.  I can't believe I'm doing this for the 3rd time around.  The big boys were off to Pokemon camp so we had all morning to ourselves and got in an entire day's worth of school.

J-Monster loves crafting, so we started off with art.  Evidently, drawing a cute clown face in his Baby Lamb's Art book did not qualify as craft-time.  He did have a good time, but I'll be on Pinterest tonight to come up with something he will deem as a craft.  He has requested a "dog craft."  He is my first boy that likes hands-on craftsy stuff so this Kindy year will look a little different than the other two.

Then, we had our first spelling and writing lesson.  J-Monster has been interested in learning to read and can sound out CVC words, but we went full-on with Spell to Write and Read today.  We started learning the official recitation for the first 26 phonograms and learned how to write a, c, and d in cursive.  It was easy as pie for him and he loved using the salt box to write his letters.  He is my best 4 year old writer to date so I'm getting off kind of easy this time around.  I don't mind that at all.  We also have the advantage of a good cursive app on my iPad which adds to the fun. Baby-S even got in on that action.

Of course, no boy can resist some salt box drawing.  Here are his renditions of our two dogs: Wilson and Ribsy.

Finally, we got out math.  He is cruising through Singapore Essential Math A.  I knew it would be very simple for him as he is already adding, subtracting, counting to 100, and writing numbers well.  He doesn't care that it's easy.  He is a workbook kid and loves to finish pages.  He did about 10 pages today and continued his work during brothers' swim lessons.  We aren't in any hurry to rush him along in math.  There will be plenty of time this year to get through everything I have planned (which is a lot, as usual).

We were able to read a couple of school stories from Sonlight's P4/5 at the pool and more at bedtime.  All-in-all it was a great day.  I loved being alone with him and giving him all of my attention.  Maybe not all, Baby-S was hanging out and I did fold a load of laundry while he was doing math, but a lot more than usual.  J-Monster asked if we get to do Kindergarten everyday.  That's one of the reasons I love K-ers so much.  They just love school.

Wait...We Haven't Gone Anywhere

Okay, I've been absent for awhile.  I'm still homeschooling and loving it, but adding a 2nd student and 4th child really threw me for a loop free-time wise. I really had to spend some time getting some home and school routines down.

So what's new?  A few things.

1.  I'm adding a new student next week.  That's right, J-Monster starts Kindergarten on Monday.  This is a serious, "where did the time go?" moment for me.  Granted, he is a young K-er.  His birthday is in August.  If he were going to public school, I'd consider holding him back a year.  It wouldn't be because he isn't ready, but because that is the norm here for summer and even some spring babies.  In preschool, he was over a year younger than some of his classmates (and tiny in comparison).  Now, his preschool teacher (the wonderful Ms. Mendi) encouraged me to send him even if we were going into public school since he's more than ready.  But...it's a good thing that isn't an issue.  Onto Kindergarten he goes...

2.  I'm now on the Flylady wagon.  I was really struggling this year with how to do school with 2+ students (J-Monster was doing preschool at home part-time) and a toddler while keeping up with the house.  I've been really challenged to keep my home inviting and peaceful.  I was having trouble accommodating both.  If it was in inviting shape, we weren't doing that peacefully.  If we were peaceful and fun, the house was a disaster.  Thanks to Flylady's principles, I am able to keep the house "company and family-time ready" (note...not perfect!) without the stress and time requirements I had before.  Talk about a breath of fresh air.  It has also de-stressified our school time as we have more time in our day to get everything done.  The boys love the routines.

3. Baby-S isn't such a baby anymore since he just turned 2 and is a "big boy."  He has to do everything his big brothers do.  In fact, he'll be getting a new nickname.  He'd be offended at his.  He will also be attending our church's preschool in the fall.  I've never sent a 2yo to preschool before, so I have mixed emotions about it.  However, it is only 2 days a week and I love his teacher (Ms. Nancy).  With J-Monster being a Kindergartener and still having the other two, I need some dedicated schooltime during the week.  It'll be great for Baby-S to be out having some great 2yo time instead of "being in the way" at home.  It's a win-win for all of us.  Not to mention, I absolutely love our preschool and it's across the street.

4. I am Crossfitting and running in abundance (for me) and incorporating eating Paleo.  I've really buckled down this year and have been more consistent since last August.  I've always been active, but adding Crossfit and joining a running club have taken things to a new level for me.  Nope, you won't see me at the next Crossfit games or on the first page of a marathon leader board, but I've improved my health by leaps and bounds, am really enjoying all of it, and don't plan on quitting.  I'm telling you all of this because it will seep into this blog.  Part of this process for me is teaching my boys to be active and healthy for their whole lives.  We don't have gym class, but incorporate activity into our everyday lives.  I've found that as we get older, talent for sports is less important than habit, comfort, and motivation.  Those are the things we are striving to instill in them.  Plus, I want to show that a homeschooling mom of 4 who is busy with lots of other commitments can still take care of herself.  Warning:  it often requires getting up early.  I'm not a morning person and I require a lot of sleep to function (those who know me, are giggling), so if I can do it...anyone can.
Okay, that's all for now.  I'll be updating pictures, nicknames, and curriculum very soon.