Back to School

School started today (whether we were ready or not)...we mostly were ready.

August was mostly work - finishing up projects we started over the summer so that we could be free of them for the school year, starting schoolwork (for Carolyn), and work at dealing with a toddler who is ever-changing.

The dining room table refinish was complete, and the table came in to acclimatize. The girls were instructed to put up some streamers to block the room (as a reminder) not to use it for 24 hours.

This is what remains after Gideon testing his "breaking through the finish line" run.

It looks good. (Seth and Alee helped a little, but this was mostly all Rob.)

Gideon is back to needing to be rocked to sleep since the conversion from crib to bed. He screams if we try to leave him in the bed asleep. He also wakes up in the middle of the night or early (like before 6 am) the next morning to join us in our bed. Some nights he won't even let us rock him, and he just screams. He does not do transitions well.

Carolyn is taking biology this year, so we bought a microscope. The other kids were required to participate in the first lab so that everyone is aware of how to be careful with the family microscope.
(We tried the optional extra experiments, but the cheek cells didn't work. Maybe I don't have cheek cells?!) :)

So sassy. We'll beat it out of him. (Actually, this is just one of his normal faces. But he does state his opinion very forcefully.)

We finished up the last summer music series. Video Here. I had plans for a few more, but I overstretched myself this summer in project plans.

Rob and I left the kids at home and had a night to visit the temple. It was a good visit. Isn't it beautiful at night? (The kids babysat well and got Gideon to bed. Another needed break.)

We visited Memere and Grandpa in their new place, and we swam - well most of us swam.

(Gideon wants to swim without his "froggy suit" - we even let go under for 2-3 seconds when he insisted on leaving the steps without being held or wearing his float suit. He laughed when he came up. "I go under water.") sigh

He has so many fears, but water isn't one of them.

 Finally got around to changing the den light fixture Mom and Dad gave us (from when they changed a one of theirs, an extra). No, Alee and Gideon did not do the work, but they were cuter on the ladder than Rob and I were.

Before:

 After:

Gideon likes Seth's hammock. I find him in Seth's room all the time.

His newest fear: the bathtub. We don't think it's the water (he loves water), but the noise of the running water. We tried running the water with the door shut and then going to get him for his bath, but it was still so short we could hardly get him bathed. But he isn't afraid of the "rain" so that's what we do now. My 2-year-old takes showers.

He stands to shower and then sits to play with duckies. He prefers my shower (so tiny), but he'll use the downstairs one also that Carolyn uses. (Both have to have door/curtain open while showering.)

And we took the bottom-of-the-stairs gate down. The top is staying. We lock it at night while we're asleep. He is fascinated with this new freedom and goes upstairs and downstairs. He loves to shut the gate.

I don't know what she was doing (besides playing dress up). The last few days before school....

Alee was super excited about going to a new elementary school. We went to drop off supplies and meet the teacher Monday night. We found out the neighbor down the street is in her class.

Tuesday - last day of freedom! (We walked to the park, about 25 minutes, to play, and then back home. It was muggy a little, but at other times it was so breezy and nice.)

And the moment you've all been waiting for.....the first day of school pictures!

(This is actually her 13th day of school, but we kept them grouped for simplicity.)

The twins actually have 2 out of 6 classes together. I knew electives wouldn't be together since Natalie does orchestra and dance, and Kaitlyn does band and drama, but I was hoping all 4 core classes would be aligned. Two is better than none, I guess. (They do have PE at the same time next semester but are in different classes/teachers.)

Back to public school. We had a hard anxiety moment this morning, but she chose this, so we prayed and pushed past, and I'm still praying that she will have a good day and a good year!

My Homeschool Kids - Carolyn 9th and Gideon "2-year old pre-K"

My public school kids - Natalie 7th, Alee 4th, Seth 11th, Kaitlyn 7th 

Covering Elementary, Middle, and High

All of them.

I'm missing my Gideon helpers today - he's about to drive me crazy!

(His shirt is from his birthday. It is not his birthday, but you can't just wear a shirt once!) 

Carolyn and I are now trying to establish a routine and schedule for how to most efficiently and enjoyably get through her learning and assignments. (I think she'd prefer to clean my house and I'd prefer to sit and do her schoolwork.)

Gideon is trying to thwart my attempts at routine and focus. (This activity lasted 20-30 seconds.)

I have a LOT of learning/creative stuff built up (math manipulatives like blocks and tangrams, science things like droppers and magnifying glasses, playdough, art supplies, etc.). He's the youngest of 6, so there are many things available to play with. My plan is to keep trying to give him something to do when he doesn't want to play with toys so that he learns to entertain himself while we learn. At least for 20-30 minutes (instead of seconds)!

Happy First Day of School...at least I hope it is! (I'll find out in about 2-3 hours.)