Preschool thru College: Beginnings
We’ve had a whole lot going on around here, from the youngest child’s last day of preschool to the eldest child’s college graduation, and all sorts of things in between. I was blessed to have all my kids at church on Mother’s Day, including my daughter-in-law! It’s funny: I never even thought to imagine the family I have now — but God’s plans are always better than my own.
Preschool and Kindergarten
Scout had her spring kindergarten program at school: the kids performed songs and then hosted a little classroom reception for the parents and gave us moms a plant in a painted flower pot.
Jem’s preschool week was full of end-of-year parties. He is now done with his school year, but Scout has one more week of school, which means I have one more week of getting her up and out the door way too early.
Kathryn and I introduced Jem to the wonders of the library. Since then, I have read The Hungry Caterpillar roughly 843 times. We snuck in a quick trip to the playground one day, too.
Next year we plan to homeschool both of the littles: Jem in Pre-K, and because of Scout’s young age (she’ll still be 5 when she would theoretically start back to public school for first grade!), I’m deeming her in kindergarten again next year. However, since she’s convinced she’s suppose to be a 1st grader, I’m still deciding what to call it: K+, or K6, or just tell her we have to do homeschool K before 1st grade. Suggestions welcome!
Finishing up our homeschool year
Kathryn’s spring band concert went well and was such a big improvement from their winter concert, when most of the kids in her class had only been playing their instruments a few months! Scout and Jem enjoyed the concert and behaved well; it was the first event we’ve taken them to, so we weren’t sure what to expect!
Except for another week or two of U.S. history, Kathryn has finished most subjects for the year; she’ll continue math throughout the summer. And there will be reading. Always reading.
The weather has been perfect, but I’m going to have to remember to start slathering on the sunscreen. {A few pink noses this week.} We’ve had a whole lot of outside play and unofficial nature study going on, including a little maple tree nursery. This was Kathryn’s idea, and she enlisted the littles to find and help plant seeds out of all those “helicopters” in the back yard.
High School Senior!
Last Sunday was the “Senior Walk” at church, where all of the soon-to-be-graduated high school seniors are recognized. Lindsey threw in some humor when announcing her name and the school she will be graduating from:
“I’m homeschooled, so I’m graduating from my house!”
That girl.
We had a senior banquet at church this week, too, and the Christian improv group that provided the entertainment had me laughing harder than I’ve laughed in a VERY long time. Or maybe ever! Highly recommended, should you ever be in a position to hire a group like that.
Lindsey says her public school friends keep asking what day she’s graduating and she tells them whenever she gets all her work done. Yep! {So hop to it, girlie!}
Brandon = College Grad!
After much hard work, our oldest has earned his Bachelor of Music in Education degree! We are very proud of Brandon, not just for this accomplishment, but for the man he has become. And I love seeing his wife absolutely beaming; Diane truly is Brandon’s biggest cheerleader.
Until the university president’s speech, I’d never thought of the fact that the graduation ceremony is called a “commencement” because it’s a beginning of the next part of their lives.
I like that. I like beginnings.
I’m linking-up with these fabulous gals:
– Homeschool Mother’s Journal at iHomeschool Network
– Weekly Wrap-Up at Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers
– No Fear Homeschool High School at The Daisy Head
– Collage Friday at Home Grown Learners
Wife, mom, J-ma. Introvert who enjoys good books, sunshine, and authentic conversation. Often seen with a steaming mug of tea in hand – unless it’s lost yet again in the microwave. Read more »
Oh my word! That is a lot of graduating, commencing, growing and grinning with pride! Yay!!!
As to K or 1st…. I’d say K and then you can always have her skip a grade to high school if you think she’s ready when the time comes. Or you can call it New Beginnings and then 1st grade next year. 🙂
I vote for pre-First….still has the “first” grade implied, but allows you to make sure she’s set for “real” first grade.
And that Lindsey…love her.
Congratulations to all you are celebrating at your house!!! That is quite a bit going on. How wonderful and blessed you are. I liked your idea of K6 but I also like the idea of Pre-1st that was suggested. If she is just 5 years old, I’m definitely with you on giving her another year. Back when I was little, parents in GA had the choice to hold back a child or move them on and my b-day was in November and my parents chose for me to go on to 1st grade and she has regretted it ever since.… Read more »
Nancy,
Thank you for your input!!
So many accomplishments and celebrations this week!! How wonderful!!
I had to giggle at the duct tape hair bow. My daughter has the very same bow made out of that exact duct tape.lol
She has quite a collection of duct tape crafts! Even more fun with all the neat designs out now!
Wow. What emotions are you feeling this week, Jamie? You have them in ALL stages of life. What a blessing for you.
Thank you for linking with Collage Friday!
Congratulations on all the graduating children. It is so wonderful to read about all the varied personalities in your house. It sounds like it was a truly special Mother’s Day too, with all your children together for church. That’s how life should be.
Have a great weekend!
So much excitement going on. Sounds like a wonderful time.
I had a thought about naming the younger school years. Maybe something like the cub scouts. They have the youngest scouts called, Tigers, then Wolf, then Bears. I bet the kids could even come up with some fun names they enjoy.
May be a goofy idea, but its and idea.
That’s creative! Thanks for the suggestion, Amber.
Jamie. Wow what wonderful news…collage grad. HUZZAH! High school grad – Huzzah! What a wonderful blessed time!
You have a lot going on!! Grade levels are vague in our homeschool. I register my children at the age appropriate grade level, but I give myself freedom to work up or down from that. I’m not sure how that works in other states. Love Lindsey’s grad comment. 🙂
Laurie,
We don’t really have to set grade levels in regards to the state; I’m really wanting to do it more for classes at church, etc., to keep her with kids closer to her age (and maturity level).
It sound like all kinds of great excitement going on in your home, this year! How exciting that the two youngest additions to the family will get to do homeschooling in the Fall. I, too, like the sound of Pre-1st grade. As a homeschool mom, you can use whatever curriculum you think is best suited to your child, regardless of the grade. Our daughter has been registered as a 10 grader this year, but since she’s still learning English as her second language, I use curriculum that’s anywhere between 5th grade and H.S. The beauty of homeschooling! And they learn… Read more »
Yes, Chandra, I love that we can customize what we do with her. Mostly I want to keep her as K for purposes of Sunday school classes, etc., because she is just so young.
Just loving that definition of “commencement.” Enjoy the coming “commencement” of your summer. You’ve earned it!
Sounds like a great week, full of different ages and stages but many happy celebrations!
Abby was just five when she was technically in first grade, so we just called that year K-1. I told her it was a little bit of kindergarten and a little bit of first grade…then the next year was just plain first grade;) That seemed to suit her just fine!