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We are officially back to school today.  We had quite a long summer break and most of us are feeling ready to be back into more of a routine.  So it’s back to a scheduled wake-up call and ready to start school by 8 am.

Michaela is starting high school this year, 9th grade.  After research and prayer we decided to continue homeschooling and to continue with My Father’s World curriculum.  The first year core is Bible (OT survey), Ancient History, and Literature with an emphasis on composition.  She is also adding Geometry (MathUSee), Physical Science (Apologia), Japanese (Rosetta Stone), Intro to Logic (elective from  MFW) 1st semester, Drafting (elective from MFW) 2nd semester, and Band (at a local Christian school).  She is also taking a SAT prep course over the next three years.  That’s a total of 8 credit hours and there is more to come.  She is a great self-starter and is doing most everything independently.  Love that first born!

Benjamin is now in 6th grade and Johanna is in 4th grade.  I still haven’t labeled Elijah, but that’s one thing I love about home schooling….I don’t have to!  For these three we are using My Father’s World, and are now in our fourth year with this curriculum. This year our focus is the Creation to the Greeks period.  All of the Bible, Science, and History center on this theme and it really helps give continuity to our studies.  All three of them use MathUSee, and the MFW recommendations for English,  Spelling, Art and Music.  Benjamin and Johanna are in their second year of Japanese, and Elijah is studying Chinese on a computer program.

Ami isn’t kindergarten age until next year, but I decided to start her on the MFW kindergarten curriculum and just do half this year and half next year.  We’ll see how it goes, but she seems more than ready and it will help me to break it up and give her the time that she needs.  She was very excited to have her “own” school today.   She also frequently joins in with the older kids depending on what activities we are doing.  It always amazes me what she picks up.

I’m sure I’ve left something out, but that sure seems like enough, doesn’t it?!  We only have one in organized sports this fall.  Elijah is doing soccer, so that gives us a bit of a break.  Michaela has logged at least a semester worth of PE hours with her hiking and biking this summer.

Our morning went pretty smoothly, probably my smoothest start to a home schooling year.  We took a break at lunch and picked up sandwiches and met Chris at the park.  One day down, how many to go???

My goofy kids surprised me with grapes this morning and said, “Good Morning, Teacher.”  They wanted to give me apples, but there were none to be found.  Ha!

We are enjoying more time with grandparents here; this time with Grandpa and Grandma Wolfe.  Michaela and I had a couple of days to get settled back at home before GG Wolfe arrived last Thursday.  The kids have had lots of fun playing games with them and doing other activities.  We also got to celebrate Grandpa’s birthday with him last week.

Grandpa's Special Day

Grandpa tormenting the kids....they couldn't take a bite of cake until he had the official bite

Grandma giving more crochet lessons using plastic grocery bags

Alphabet game with Grandpa

Treated to Culvers

On another note, it was two years ago yesterday that we received a call (different post from the first link) from our agency that we had officially been matched with Zhu Fengfei, our Elijah.  We had known in our hearts for a year that we were a match, but it just took that long for the CC*A to acknowledge that.    What an incredibly happy day that was!

Right after referral call - August 15, 2008