Back to School

It's hard to believe but the summer has flown by and we are back to school once again. For the first time I was not completely ready to give up the freedom of the summer for the (different kind of) fun of the school year, but now that we are into our second week I am finding enthusiasm for our journey ahead.

Unlike other years, I didn't have a clear vision of how everything was going to flow this year. We are adding quite a bit of new curriculum which impacted the flow of our days quite drastically. In addition, I am slowly gaining a clearer vision of the bigger picture - my philosophy and style, what I (we) want our school to look like, our goals, and even my attitudes as a mama and teacher. I have been challenged to the core this summer in various ways to step... no, leap! out of my comfort zone and really question my methodology in light of what I believe will reach the hearts of my children and give them a foundation for life-long learning. That all sounds very philosophical and trite as I try to summarize it, but it is a fascinating and amazing process to really think through the possibilities of home education. I'll leave it there for now cause I could go on for hours! (But I may pick it up again later....)

All that to say, we started school this year because it was time to start school, not at all because I was ready (logistically or otherwise). But despite the less polished atmosphere we have had a (mostly) good first week and a half.

Benjamin is in 2nd grade this year. His passions are Star Wars and LEGOs (I'm not sure which to put first). He goes through stacks of paper drawing various combinations of Star Wars, LEGOs, superheroes, and other favorite characters. He is a fantastic artist and can illustrate nearly any topic that comes to his creative mind. If he's not drawing an idea he's building it out of LEGOs. His creations could take up an entire blog post of their own (in fact, I intend to post pictures of some of my favorites soon), but features such as sliding doors and hinged box lids come to mind. This kid is a master! He is very protective of his sisters and quite gentlemanly towards them most of the time. He has recently been "promoted" to family laundry manager and is doing a fantastic job of keeping up with the never-ending cycle (he usually requests help with the folding, though. :) ) He is very thoughtful and wants to do what is right. I'm so proud of my young man. He is growing up so fast!

Talia is in 1st grade this year. Her newest interests are sewing, "fancy" hair styles, baking or cooking with mama, and learning pretty much any new skill she can. It's difficult for me to create a list describing this sweet girl cause she is pretty much just passionate about LIFE. She flies high and crashes hard. She is one determined, driven little go-getter. She is a joy to parent because she engages eagerly in EVERYTHING. She also exhausts me. Her enthusiasm, never-ending questions, dissatisfaction with pat answers, and drive to try everything keep me on my toes (and knees). She loves bright colors and wild patterns. She is always on to the next thing and dreaming big, but also deep. She loves to help and is usually the first one to chime in "I will!" when I ask for a helper to set the table or pick up a mess. As Benj works on the laundry, Talia has become my "kitchen manager" (a title she greatly prizes, by the way. She loves to be in charge!) She does a great job keeping the dishes rotating through the dishwasher, the counters wiped, and the floor swept. What a blessing this girl is to me!

Leila is taking on Pre-K this year. I have come to not put a huge emphasis on preschool so we just go with the flow, incorporating her into our school day as she wants to be involved. Despite my de-emphasis on academics last school year, she completely surprised me by suddenly starting to read a few weeks before her 4th birthday. She is now reading quite well and taking after her brother and sister by pouring over books in much of her free time. We have also started, on an inspiration from my mom, what we have dubbed "Skype School." During three of the last several school days Leila has been Skyping with Mima for a bit while I work with the older kids on their school work. They have been reading to each other and talking about various other topics. I'm not sure I've ever seen her this enthusiastic and talkative! She loves it! Besides reading and Skyping, she spends much of her time in imaginative play with her "friends" (stuffed animals) and various sets of favorite toys. She reminds me so much of Benjamin at this age! She spends hours setting up our Little People animals and dollhouse and there is no end to the backstory she creates about her little schemes. She is generally a happy, sweet little thing, eager to please. She is also a sensitive little soul and takes both affirmation and correction very much to heart. In many ways I feel like I am still getting to know my third child. As the quietest member of the family she is easy to put in a box, but I am finding lately that she doesn't really fit in there. :) I am thankful for my sweet girl and her sensitive soul.

Channah is the class clown and troublemaker. :) Last year at this time was super difficult because she cried all the time and I am definitely thankful to be past all that stress. At the same time, this year definitely has its own challenges. She wants to be where the big kids are, but her noisy, independent, impulsive nature gives me quite the competition for their attention! Sometimes they can't hear because she's screeching too loudly, sometimes they can't see because she's in and out and everywhere in-between, and sometimes they can't focus because we're all just laughing too hard at her crazy antics. But any effort to re-direct her attention or thwart her intentions to grab everything in sight leads to loud protest. And heaven forbid I put that child in a pack-n-play! She wants her independence! I'm sure she will settle into a routine like the rest of us, but it definitely hasn't happened yet. Despite the challenges we are all completely in love with our adorable, precious, littlest family member. She talks and babbles in recognizable words and phrases and not-yet-recognizable paragraphs. She has also recently discovered the joys of walking, which came on kind of gradually, but has definitely become her main mode of transportation in the last week or so. (Yes, on time! at 15 months!! without physical therapy!!! Major milestone in this house!) She is also sprouting teeth left and right and now sports a cute little 9-tooth smile. She makes me crazy sometimes, but I'm still crazy in-love with my littlest lady.

I am looking forward to another year of teaching my little brood and the new accomplishments and challenges it will bring. Happy 2013-2014 school year!