First Day of School

Last Friday was our first day of our homeschooling group.  Oh, how wonderful it was to be back!  I'm glad we could still have some "first day" excitement with new backpacks, new outfits, nervousness, and looking forward to seeing old friends.

This will be our second year to participate in a local Classical Conversations (CC) program.  It has been the perfect offering for us in this stage of life.  It promotes community, Godly characteristics, and an excellent foundation.  It is the only program in our area that invites participation for 4 year olds.  Last year, we were desperate to meet others on this journey and to start making homeschooling friends.  The basic program meets every Friday from 9-12, with the option for more after lunch.  A parent is required to stay on campus, which really promotes the community.  Families really get to know each other, as this isn't a drop-off program.  There is even a nursery for the younger ones, which is such a blessing for Olivia, as she feel she goes to "school" as well.

Days start with a group meeting, announcements, and the pledge.  We break into smaller groups for memory work, fine arts, science, and presentations.  Every week last year, Emily got up in front of her class and gave a presentation.  I just wonder what this will do for her public speaking skills!  Hopefully, it won't ever seem as intimidating as it does at times for her parents.  Many people take this program and extend it out all week.  We strictly use it as supplement -- I have all my curriculum picked out, outside of CC that I want to keep using.  Whatever she learns and retains there is icing on the cake.  It is nice to, at least, have science and fine arts once a week.  Sometimes these go by the wayside here.  They do hands on science experiments, and that NEVER happens here.

I am "tutoring" this year, as that is what they call the teacher.  We had to get there early so I could set up the board.  I had grand plans to take beautiful first day of school pics, but I have decided that young kids are the worst subjects.  I started with James -- bad idea.  Then Olivia -- bad idea, again.  In a time crunch, I scrapped pictures for later in the day.  We ended up taking them inside the beautiful gym with that horrible gym lighting.  UGH.  Oh, well.  At least the sun wasn't in their eyes?

Success in Parenting

The summer is really hard for me around here.  Although we had fun at the pool and getting to travel some, I still miss all the activities we are a part of during the school year.  I miss the consistency and the women who are constantly bringing me up and holding me accountable.  

Yesterday, I started a quick book before Bible studies and fall activities started back up. It's in the Women of Faith series and called Managing Your Mood.  Hmm.  The exact thing I need right now.  Maybe some of you can relate?  I think we would all like to assume that once our children outgrow the toddler/preschool stage, there will be no more fits going on in our house, but then something deep inside me laughs at that thought.

So, this morning I was reading and here is what it said.  Geez.  This is SOOOOO true for me, and I am now realizing how sad it is...

And though numerous emotions flit through our hearts every day, one feeling is esteemed more than all the others -- happiness.  We really don't mind what God has planned for us, so long as we are guaranteed happiness in the midst of it.  We want to live happily ever after.  And what keeps us happy?  When things go our way.  When everything runs smoothly in the direction we had hoped it would go, we are able to maintain a pleasant frame of mind.  No bumps.  No interruptions.  No inconveniences.

This speaks to me so much as a parent.  Geez!  The days I view as successful (which I translate currently to a happy day, a day where God was obviously in control of our house and our emotions) are the days where nothing goes wrong.  The schedule runs as planned, the kids don't fight (as much), and there are no challenges.  If things don't go as planned, I often toss that day up as a loss.  "Well, there is always tomorrow, right?"

Hmmm.  No challenges?  No growing?  No testing?  No need to show patience?  No need to display the character of God to my children?

Wow.  I have so much to work on!

Here is to all those bad days -- the days we are about to lose it, the days that are truly from God to provide us the chance to cultivate a heart of Christ in our children.  Those days are really what being a parent is all about!