First Day of School, 2016-2017

School has officially started around here! Mae had her first day of preschool on Friday, August 5th. She will be going three mornings a week from 8-12. She was really excited, as you can see. She has one new teacher and one is her teacher from last year. There is only one child from last year's class in her class this year, but she doesn't seem to mind. She will play with anyone! 

We started our 2016-2017 homeschool year on Monday, August 8th! I intended to start slow this week, but the kids kind of picked right back up where we left off, so we got a lot more accomplished than I thought we would.

For Arabelle we are continuing All About Reading and All About Spelling. We are just over half way through level 3 and 2 in each from last year. She's starting on Singapore Math, level 3A. We are adding in cursive this year and using A Reason for Handwriting C (Thanks Jill!!).

Bo is continuing where we left off in level 1 of All About Reading and beginning Singapore Math 1A. He is also starting A Reason for Handwriting A. We will add All About Spelling in later this year.

Together we are continuing to work through the Story of the World, a fun little My Body workbook, and starting the Scott Foreseman Grammar and Writing Handbook. I am keeping them together on that grammar and writing, even though it's a first grade level. Arabelle hasn't done it yet and it's just easier to keep them together. 

Of course we are also doing read alouds daily. We did a Beverly Cleary series over the summer (Mouse and the Motorcycle, Runaway Ralph, and Ralph S. Mouse) and we have started The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Carlson this week.

I have gone back and forth on what we are going to do for Bible and I think I've found a good one, but haven't settled 100%.

I've got two teacher's pets. ;)

And Zeke....he will be the wild card this year. I hoped to send him to preschool 2 or 3 mornings a week, but they changed the format for the 1 year old class and only offer a 5 day option, so that was a little disappointing! So far he has mastered climbing on the school table and eating crayons and it's only week 1. :p

Can't get over how big the big kids are getting!

I'm sure this year will be one to remember considering there are 2 toddlers in the house, but also praying it will be a successful year with lots of learning and fun! 

Nerd Day

Bo's class had "nerd day" on Friday. They had been studying the letter 'N' and for some reason couldn't come up with anything better than "nerd day". Anyway, Bo dressed like a nerd on Friday and it included a homemade Georgia Tech shirt, of course.

Bo wasn't too excited about the glasses, which were some old scratched up sunglasses of his:

He did perk up and give a smile. :)

Don't worry, I made sure that no one actually thought he was a Tech fan...this was the back of the t-shirt:

Pumpkin Patch 2013

Bo's pre-school class took a field trip to the pumpkin patch on Monday, so Arabelle, Mae, and I tagged along for the fun!

Jared took Bo to school and he rode the bus and met us there.

Bo wasn't in the mood for pictures.

Until he saw the tractor!

We walked around the pumpkin patch:

Played on the playground:

Pumpkin baby!!! I bought this little outfit last year around Christmas from Belk's for $4. We didn't know if Mae would be a boy or girl, but I couldn't pass it up, just in case!

Took a hayride:

Walked through the corn maze:

And had a snack!

We always have so much fun at the pumpkin patch!

Pumpkin Patch 2012
Pumpkin Patch 2011

Pre-School "Graduation" Program

Arabelle and Bo had their pre-school graduation program Tuesday evening. They both learned so much at school this year and LOVED their teachers! Both of their classes sang a couple of songs and said a Bible verse for us.

Bo is there in the middle in the white shirt and khaki shorts. His cousin Tripp is on the left in the red shirt:

Here is Bo's class singing The B-I-B-L-E and The Wheels on the Bus. He was really into it! 

Arabelle was on the back row, there right behind the microphone. She doesn't get as into the songs as Bo did, but she sure knew them and did great!

Arabelle's class singing My God is so Big and The Moving Song. I'm so glad no one fell off the back of the bleachers they had them on! I'm not sure they fully thought that one through. 

And my favorite picture from the evening:

Poor ol' Bo. He had been on Jared's shoulders and was going to get to stay there for the picture, but he reached down and pulled my hair, so he got put on the ground and was NOT too pleased about it. ;) I'm sure this will be a picture we laugh at for YEARS to come!

*Yes, I'm nearly a week overdue and no, I'm not feeling anything. :p

Last Day of School

Today is Arabelle and Bo's last day of pre-school. This school year has flown by and they've both grown so much!

Bo wasn't really feeling the picture this morning. ;) He looked like a baby back in August and is such a big boy now!

I think Arabelle has grown a foot since August!

They both had a great year and learned a lot. They both say that playing on the playground is their favorite part. :)

School Picture

The kids had school pictures a few weeks ago and they had a great picture together! They both look so grown up!

Pajama Day

It's been all about the letter P this week at pre-school. Wednesday was a pancake party and today was pajama day!

It worked out well because none of us woke up until 7:40 and school starts at 8!

They were both excited to wear their favorite PJs today! This gown of Arabelle's was a find from the consignment sale last weekend. It was one of her favorite things!

Gift Exchange at School

Monday, the kids had their gift exchange at school. Arabelle was especially excited! She wore her jingle bell skirt too.

Waiting patiently for her turn.

Bo got a car that you shake, then in "Vrrrrrooommmsss'' across the floor. He'd put it down, watch it go, and just laugh!

Arabelle got a cheerleader doll that sings cheers. She also cheers "Go Dawgs!" a lot with it. ;)

So, over the weekend, Arabelle had picked out a tool box for Bo. He LOVES working and hammering things. We wrapped it up and put it under the tree. Arabelle had the idea to show him the gift and tell him what it was "There's even a hammer in it!". So, I ended up letting him open it. Kept him entertained for the rest of the day at least!

Back to School!

The kids went back to 'school' on Friday! This is Bo's first year. He was so excited and Arabelle was really happy he was going too. Last year, he'd cry to go with them in the mornings!

Arabelle is in the 3 year old class and Bo is in the 2 year old class this year. The cut-off for school here is Sept. 1st, so Arabelle is one of the oldest in the class this year (Sept. 20th birthday) and Bo is one of the youngest with the August 20th birthday. They will both be going on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. 

Ready to go with their backpacks! 

Showing off their backpacks.

Yes, Bo is falling in the background. He hopped up and said "Me fall down!". :)

I had asked "Who is ready for school!?" and Bo said "Me!".

Ready to go!

They both did so good at school! Arabelle walked right in her class room. Her friend Breana was already there, so that was nice. Jared said Bo walked on in his room and went to the toys. 

It was a good day!