Homeschool: Learning New Habits, Curriculum

Big Love drew this during quiet time in his room last week. This is a football player on the Police team. See how he sounded out "police" and wrote the correct sounds (PLES) on the helmet. Oh, English phonics.
This was his own choice to draw and write, with no direction from me.
I feel really good about all the practice we are doing with letters.
Kids amaze me.

Last week was our second of intentional pre-K homeschool, and since it left me a little discouraged, I feel more pumped this morning to make this week better.

I dislike planning every minute of each day because I want to leave room for God's nudging in our life; I don't want to miss his better-than-ours ideas.

I do like boundaries and structure and guidance; I want to grow in an upward and forward maturity (in person or whatever goal is before us).

Considering both those concepts, I want to know what we need to accomplish each week and be sure those goals are a priority; but if a need arises in our community, then I don't want school to be more important than love. Does that make sense? Asking God for discernment is so important for me each day because sometimes I get lost without proper boundaries amidst all.the.needs. We could be swept up in fun AND work all of every day without any plans for it; our lives are ripe with good opportunities. And I get anxious about being sure homeschool is taken seriously by me so that others will understand its significance. Is any of this making sense?

By the time we register him with the appropriate authorities for homeschool kindergarten next year, I want to be sure I have the correct resources to know what he should know and by when. I get rerally anxious baout this, so then I just pray and remember by then I will know what I need to know. That's what this year is for.

Another big challenge is the age and developmental discrepancy between our almost 5yo and almost 2yo. some of thhe things we do together. However, the little one has not figured out how to entertain himself while Big Bro is working, and Big Bro wants to play when Little Bro does figure it out. We have made it work so far... but it is not natural yet. And it drives me a little bananas.

This week I look forward to learning more about the curriculum I chose from Oak Meadow.

I chose it because of something the author calls contraction and expansion. Contraction is when the parent(s) works with the children, and expansion is when children and parents work separately. Breakfast, lunch, supper, and bedtime are important contraction times (parents and kids together), and that fits well with the way we already do things.

The dentist and zoo will be part of this week, so I look forward to working those into our schoolweek as "field trips" with fun activities.

Now that cooler temperatures are coming, I have begun running in the mornings, which is different than fitting runs in on the treadmill during nap/quiet time or when my husband gets off work and plays with the boys. I find myself craving the stillness, peace, and beauty of sunrise. My younger self would think I am nuts... but I am really excited about my morning time, which I hope will make more time for learning curriculum and chores and all sorts of other necessary things in the afternoons.

The sunrise as seen between our neighborhood and the next one over.

Father-God, please help me walk step-by-step with You so I can make the better choices for our time, energy, and resources from moment-to-moment. Please help me be kind and forgiving with myself as You make me aware of changes I need to make. Please make our path clear for the next steps at the right time. Please help me set correct boundaries. I am thankful for Your plans for our family so far. Thank you, in Jesus.