McKay's NOT first day of Kindergarten

I didn't expect to feel any these feelings today.  I really did great not thinking about it all summer long--well, except when some mom friend of mine would exclaim how excited she was to send her child to his/her first day of kindergarten and how much easier life would become with at least a few extra hours a day to herself.  I can't imagine, I would say.  No, I really can't.  Then, would life really get easier without my son McKay?  He's just getting old enough to help!  I've never wavered in my desire to home school my kids--nope, never really planned on sending them to public school, yet, to be fair to everyone, I looked into the local elementary school here, which happens to be next door, a stone's throw away, and it's only for 2 1/2 hours each day.  Why don't I jump on that?  It's FREE child care!  I know, it's the hardest, yet easiest decision I've ever had to make.  Hard, because it's made on faith, and it means a lion's share of responsibility on my part.  Easy, because I know God's is pleased with our decision to home school.  Easy, because it's right, and things are falling into place.  Hard, because it's a lonely job sometimes--there's no a lot of home schoolers in my immediate area.  Easy, because I have some incredible family and mentor support.

But, no, my child is not going to his first day of Kindergarten tomorrow.  No school lunch, no new outfit, no new backpack filled with fresh new school supplies.  No apple for the teacher, no new friends and new stories.

But YES, I get to have my beautiful child with me at home for another year.  Another year to teach him right and wrong, true and false, good and bad.  Another year to strengthen relationships with God and family.  Another year to inspire honorable character and service to others.

Sad, a little.  Grateful and at peace?  Yes.

Our Family's Birthday Traditions

Age:

1-Family/Friends Celebration

2-Family/Friends Celebration

3-Family/Friends Celebration

4-Friends Birthday Party-Home

5-Friends Birthday Party-Other Venue

6-Hiking/Backpacking/Fishing/Campout with Dad

7-Friends Birthday Party-Home

8-Special Birthday Dinner with Parents

9-Friends Birthday Party-Other Venue

10-Sporting Event with Dad

11-Friends Birthday Party-Home

12-Attend General Conference with Parent

13-Friends Birthday Party-Other Venue

14-Theme Park with Friend/Parent

15-open choice*

16-open choice*

17-open choice*

18-open choice*

*Some possible options:

-Hiking/Backpacking w/ Dad

-Fishing/Campout w/ Dad

-Friends or Family Party

-Dinner at a special restaurant with Mom and Dad

McKay's First Chapter Book!

Well, I have been wondering for a while when McKay would be old enough for chapter books. He turns 5 next month. We read books all the time and he was listening to longer and more advanced picture books, so I thought it was about time to take the plunge. I pulled a book off the shelf called Stuart Little by E. B. White. This is a good one to start with perhaps-- I thought.

Well, it worked! At times I wondered if he was really listening because he'd fidget or play with toys or the baby but I kept at it. I wondered if he was following enough to want to read the next chapter, or understand what he was hearing. Well, we've read several days now and he keeps asking for more. We even started another chapter book by E. B. White: Charlotte's Web! Funny, it just happened that way . . .

Well, I'm proud to say we are officially reading chapter books to our boys now--"boys" because Elijah and Sam are hearing them too--subconsciously!

"Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open, and rules are flexible -- the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family."  

-- Virginia Satir