7 Days...

7, count 'em, 7 days until Bishop Academy opens it's doors. Or at least we do something constructive that may be counted as educational ;) I'm nervous as the days pass and think about what is really before me. I am going to be in charge of educating my boys...for real!

The four of us watched the newest version of Alice in Wonderland last week and I must say I see an analogy here...

At the beginning of the film, no one is convinced she is the "right" Alice. Even Alice doubts she is Alice. All along the way she keeps doubting herself, and so do others. At end of the movie, she knows that she IS the right Alice, she's as Alice as can be. I think that fits me to a tee right about now. I'm not too sure that I am even capable of being a teacher, I'm not sure who exactly signed me up for this (of course I did, like Alice).

Alice realized that "wonderland" was her own dream, I have realized that this is my journey. I put this into motion and I decide how well we do by how much effort I put into it (i.e. slaying the jaberwaki)

Bob is my mad hatter, always believing, always encouraging. Doing whatever it takes to make sure I am where I am supposed  to be to slay said task.










 If I have lost you because of my movie analogy I apologize. In case you didn't know, I liked Alice in Wonderland... a lot!

Thanks for listening to my ramblings...I need a sounding board now and then. This homeschooling gig is gonna get curiouser and curiouser Until I have more thoughts that I feel the need to share, I'm off. Because I'm late, I'm late for a very important date...making banana bread with my boys :)

So the Instructors Guide is HUGE

I have so enjoyed taking my time, savouring all of our materials, getting familiar with it all. But I had put off breaking the seal on the IG, mainly because of it's sheer size. But I reminded myself that it contains a whole year's worth of lessons by the week with notes and notes and more notes. So I sat and looked at it for 5 minutes yesterday.

Then I dove in and removed the shrink wrap on this voluminous tome of my year ahead. It took me about 10 minutes to figure out how it was set up, to realize that instead of being intimidated I should be rejoicing. Everything and I mean EVERYTHING I may need to know is in there. Once I took a breath and listen to that little voice saying, "You have made the right choice, you can do this," instead of continuing to cower at the big blue binder, I was even more excited to start. We are counting down the days until Bishop Academy (lol) opens its doors, as of today, we have 24 days .

Box day...the aftermath

I had such a hard time going to work last night and leaving all of my new school stuff behind. And I am having a time getting to sit down and really pour over everything like I want to today. So maybe when they go to bed Bob and I can both go over stuff, especially the instructor's guide. Bob was so impressed that the history book has info about the Vikings exploring America before Columbus.

I was so happy that the boys were excited about getting our curriculum last night. I had this deep, dark fear that they'd open the boxes and just be nonchalant about it and wander off. I feel even better about homeschooling knowing that my boys are looking forward to it. Owen has already asked me if we can do school now, just a little bit, today. Our plan is to start on September 7th. My job should be ended by then and I will have plenty of time to devote to teaching! And we will have to time to go over all the materials and finish getting set up. Oh boy. What have we gotten into? I don't know but I know I'm happy and so is my family.

FINALLY....BOX DAY

So, the long awaited box day has arrived and we couldn't be happier. Grandparents came to share in the fun because frankly they wanted to see what I've been yammering about for the past few months!

We had one box Wednesday and one box Thursday. It was awful waiting until the last box but we did and we dove right in!

"OOOH, we got movies too." (It's the Mathtacular and the Science DVDS.)

Owen isn't wasting any time either...

Owen can't get over how many books there are!

Why'd we get a ping pong ball???

Had to rest a minute, Mommy, I'm excited.

Ian discovered Miquon Math....

And this is what he did for the next while...off to the side doing math!

But Daddy lured him back with more books

Map=happiness

And then it was castle time as Mommy checked off the list. Whoever thought up the castle on the inside of the box was a smart person!!!

Ian's castle needed decorating

Then it was time to get in it.

This is our loot!!!

I have no more doubts that we have made the right choice with Sonlight. We are all excited and impressed. I cannot wait to get some down time to go through it all and take it in. We have a daunting task ahead of us, a 4 year old and 6 year old doing the same core, but we are well prepared!