Reality Strikes!

I'm not entirely sure what I expected today as we began the introduction to the year's curriculum, but I do know that is sounded more like heavenly angels singing in the background and much less like the whining that was actually taking place in the room. I already know that the most challenging part of homeschooling is going to be dealing with myself and my desire to have everything in order and done "correctly." Trying to read instructions for the steps of a project is difficult to do when you have a 4-year-old whining about why he can't get out the clay just yet and a 2.5-year-old running around the room with scissors trying to cut everything up. (Don't worry, they were safety scissors and he hasn't learned how to actually use them yet.) *Note to self- mark on next week's calendar to teach correct scissor grip to 2.5-year-old.

Thank goodness there are two intro weeks to break us all in to the routine. I learned a few things from today:

-Must do the majority of Boone's work while Lincoln is napping.
-Fun-looking supplies should be stored out of sight to avoid distractions.
-Read through the next day's lesson plan the night before.
-It is much more important to be present and interact with what they boys are currently doing than to read the manual three times while they work to make sure I'm doing everything right.
-Have cookie dough balls ready in freezer to enjoy after school time. (For me, not them!)
-Must chill out. This is Pre-K. Learning is through play, and should be fun. Grumpy mama is no fun. I don't want to be grumpy mama.

Overall, I think they enjoyed their first day, and I doubt they realized there was any significance to it. They probably just thought they were playing puzzles and coloring in the fun room I set-up for them. And that's how I hope every day will feel to them from here on out

The moment he's been waiting for! Finally got to open his alphabet puzzle!

Linc has one too! Gotta be just like big brother! Found this one in Target's $1 bin.

A Tour of Our "Homeschool" Room

I kept going back and forth about making a special room for homeschooling, and ended up going for it since we have the extra space. Not that I expect all our learning to take place in this room, but I do think it will be nice to have a home for all our curriculum and supplies. Also, with this set-up, we can just close the door if we don't always feel like putting everything away. :) So, here's a little tour of our space:

Main "learning" area

Chalkboard closet doors and shelving. Note the child-size table and chairs in the corner that Grandpa Tony made for the boys!

This half of the room is mostly a play area. I expect Lincoln to spend some time here while Boone is working at the table.

 
Gotta love the size of this room! We are so blessed to have the space to dedicate such a nice, bright space to learning. 

Closer shot of the table set-up.
This was our first little kitchen table when we got married, and I believe this is the fourth time it has been painted! I also sanded and refinished the top, because it had been demoted to the garage, and had some grease and oil spots on it. I made the little cushions for the top of the bench and it is a perfect height for little guys to sit at comfortably. The book sling on the wall will hold our books of the week and whatever else we want to keep within arms reach. Love the mickey mouse print fabric from Hobby Lobby! A bit of a design, but not too busy. 

Reading area and bulletin board.
Just a cushy spot for them to sit and have quiet reading time. We'll keep Boone's easy readers here for him to sit and read on his own. I LOVE this bulletin board! Checked prices on large ones to buy and they are super expensive! This baby cost me around $18 to make and it is HUGE! Got some Quiet Brace fiber board from Home Depot and simply covered with fabric and stapled it around the back. It was supposed to be 6" larger all the way around, but I goofed and forgot to check my fabric width, so we had to trim the board a bit. I still love it! I think it will be a great spot to hang their projects for a visual reminder of what they've been working on that week.

Re-purposed these budget Target bookshelves. Right side is mostly "school" stuff and left side is mostly play stuff. Our MFW curriculum is organized nicely in the file folder storage bin and they each have a large binder to compile their completed work. I'll probably tweak my system once we get into the swing of things to make it work better, but won't know what adjustments to make until we start, which will be soon!