6. Gearing Up

Welcome back! 2013's summer is nearing an end and we are gearing up for the school year. I last left you explaining that I had received this curriculum from my aunt near the Houston area. While it still is a blessing to have received it I realize it's not going to be something I can productively use in our routine. Therefore I will pass on this blessing to another family with much younger children and a little more time to get acquainted with prior to using it.

So, for the past three weeks (in between having a life and all) I have been sewing together our own curriculum using the many workbooks, tools, aides and resources that I have collected over several months this year. Things are coming together quite nicely. What I love about it is that I have all 36 weeks of our school year pre-planned in our lesson planner. Unlike the last two months of school last year (remember, I took the kids out with two months left of public school?) when each Sunday evening came around I had to come up with the weeks' plan. This was VERY stressful and took precious time away from my family.

I give a HUGE shout out to Lake Area Thrift Store for all of the wonderful CLEAN, unused workbooks they have sold to me. Without going back to check my receipts I have to guess that all of the workbooks my children will be using this school year PROBABLY cost a grand total of $6.00! Lest I mention the one's I purchased from the Goodwill on half-priced book day. Or, the books I got from the Family Resource Center in Tamarak on BOGO 1/2 off day. The feeling of being frugal? Priceless. Literally.

August 16th I have a date with my close friend and homeschool companion, Amber. She is taking me to the Lewisville Homeschool Resource Center. Of course we have to hit up a Starbucks first. I honestly do not know what I expect to find there, but Amber says it's the ideal go-to place for readying for the school year. Either way, I am looking forward to a mom's day out regardless.

So when does our first day begin? In two weeks; August 19th. I plan on having them school for nine weeks and then allowing them a one week break. This is to prevent all of us feeling overwhelmed and burned out. It's a protection tactic...for Momma - or the kids. Whichever way you want to look at it :)

During our week breaks we will spend an extra day in our Christian Ministry and we will continue our Blue Ticket incentive. The plan is not to break from learning; just break from formal learning. 

Check back in a few weeks to hear all about our first week of the 2013-2014 homeschool year.