Back to School

It's that time again!  Time to get back in the swing of things--school, CC, fall activities.

AG and Edy both picked out new backpacks and lunch boxes.

I say this every year, but even homeschoolers need a back to school pic.  Even though we go sporadically throughout the summer, we have an official "back to school" day!

Classical Conversations Wrap-Up

Wednesday, we wrapped up CC for the year.  It has been a great year and also a really, really busy year.  For almost six years, I haven't "worked" and taking on the director job was definitely a lot of work.  I'm glad I did it and plan on tackling another year in the fall.

Friday, we had our End of Year Celebration right smack dab in the middle of heavy thunderstorms, tornado warnings, and flood warnings.  Even though phone sirens were blasting and the rain made it hard to hear, it was a great night.  Thankfully, the weather passed and everyone made it home safe and sound.

Like last year, I took class pics for our community.  If you can believe it, I knew it was picture day and I remembered my camera, but I forgot it was picture day.  Make sense?  It's like my mind knew it was picture day but forgot that it involved my kids--no cute outfits or fancy hairdos for the Hale sisters.

I made a little video montage for the End of the Year Celebration.  The mission statement of Classical Conversations is:  To Know God and To Make Him Known.  I thought this song (in video) was very fitting to wrap up our year.  Check it out:

Classical Conversations of Central Tyler 2015-16 from Leslie Hale on Vimeo.

All of life comes down to just one thing and that's to know you, Oh Jesus, and to make you known.

Classical Conversations is a phenomenal program and I could talk about it, home discipleship, and the rise of Biblical illiteracy until I'm blue in the face.  If you have any questions, please leave comment!  I'd love to share.

First Day of School!

As homeschoolers, I guess today is as good a day as any to deem it "the first day of school."  I say that because we pretty much school all year round...with some extended breaks, of course!  

On Saturday, the girls finally got home from their grandparents' which marked the end of our summer vacations.  We have a lot of things coming up in August with the start of Classical Conversations and soccer and music lessons, so I thought it best to get a good jumpstart on school.

Here are our first day pics...

3rd GRADE!!!!

Cursive handwriting, multiplication, piano lessons, oh my!  I have great memories of my third grade year.  Hopefully, AG will enjoy it, too.

To be accurate, Edy is about half-way through her Kindergarten year. I started in January with reading, math, handwriting, and CC.  Yesterday, she began Saxon 1st grade math and she's truckin'  right along as a reader.  

I cannot believe I have an almost eight year old!  Ava Grace is a beautiful, caring, and smart little girl.  She loves Jesus and it shows!  I am so thankful for the work the Holy Spirit is doing in her life and I pray she continues to let His light shine before others!  

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

this. girl.  

Edy is such a loving, funny, spunky, free-spirited, and adorable little girl.  It's truly awesome that I get to call her my daughter!  To hear her pray is to be blessed by what the Lord is working out in her.  

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Phillipians 1:6 

To have the privilege of training my children at home each and every day is a gift.  I don't want to paint a picture of rainbows and unicorns...things can be T-O-U-G-H, but by God's grace we will persevere!

I'll end with little comparison...

CC End of the Year Celebration

A few weeks ago, we wrapped up our Classical Conversation's year with a big American-themed celebration...

 Our CC years are divided into three cycles and this year we focused on American history.

fine art on display

I loved looking at the older kids' (junior high and high schoolers) work.  This map was drawn completely by memory.  That's impressive!

Each class shared a section of memory work.  My class shared math.  Check out the video: Apprentice EOY Celebration from Leslie Hale on Vimeo.

Back to School Treats--TWO Free Printables

TWO posts in one day!!  Wowza!  Click HERE to check out the A&W root beer teacher treat--free printable.   Like I said earlier, the first day of CC is this Wednesday!!  I am excited to meet the kiddos who will be in my group (Apprentices).  I made them a little something, too:

Suggestions:  print on white card stock (scroll to the bottom for printable) and cut out, put a few Starburst candies in a little bag, hole-punch card, tie ribbon around bag, and attach card.

Suggestions: print on white card stock, cut along the dotted lines and thread a pencil through the center.

[8X10 printable]

 [8X10 printable]

Linking up:  Hip Homeschool Moms

Teacher Treat--Free Printable

It's that time again--time to start another school year! Although my kiddos are homeschooled, we attend Classical Conversations once a week.  Wednesday will be our first day and we are SUPER excited! Typically, I make something for the girls to give their tutors and/or caregivers, but this year I am AG's tutor so that makes things a little different.  Easy fix:  I'm taking a little treat to my fellow tutors (one being Edy's), and Joy's babysitter.

When I was a public school teacher, I loved a little treat now and then.  Those Snicker bars and Dr. Peppers really came in handy on that first week of school!!! 

There are tons...and tons...and tons of teacher gift ideas floating around Pinterest.  Here's another one to add to the mix...

[8X10 printable] It's going to be an AWESOME year!!!  I just know it! Linking up: It's Overflowing, Hip Homeschool Moms

First Day of School

School has officially started at our house!  We kicked off bright and early but made sure to get a "first day of school" pic:

We keep a fixed routine during our homeschool year.  The girls eat breakfast, make beds, get dressed/brush teeth, and we start school at 9am.

We will meet for Classical Conversations on Wednesday which is going to be a big change for us--previously on Monday.

I am humbled and thrilled to be discipling my girls! This is my best teaching job ever!

{to know God and make Him known}

[free printable] if interested. Linking up:  Hip Homeschool Moms

The Evolution of Our Schoolroom

I've never been one to leave stuff alone!  Like ever!!!  After I "finish" a room Graham asks his age-old question, "How long will it stay this way?"  I can never know for sure how long I'll keep a space one certain way.  If you visit my home, chances are it'll look different from your previous visit.  That's me!  I was the kid who rearranged her bedroom once a month--just ask my parents! It's not that I'm constantly spending money to re-do things, but I move stuff around often, add, take-away, sell stuff, replace stuff...change!  There are a number of reasons why rooms change around here, but mainly it's to better fit our needs.  That's especially true for our office/schoolroom.

First time around:  I painted my childhood desk, painted the walls brown, and added some personal touches. At the time, I thought I really liked it and I probably did.  Now...not so much! :)  These pics make me cringe just a little!

Take two: I repainted the walls to lighten the space up, added the girls' desks, purchased some shelving from IKEA, and prepared the room for our homeschooling adventure.

Take three: I added my Instagram photos to the "H" and a few more school items.

And presently... 

I rearranged the room by moving the desk and shelving.

We purchased another bookshelf from IKEA.

I moved our filing cabinet from the closet to the office.  Man, I sure wish it was tan and not black! That's sure to change!! :)

It just makes sense that our files are next to my desk.  Before, I would walk across the house to file things away or grab papers that I needed--not user-friendly at all.

I added some IKEA curtains that had stashed in the attic.

 I added one of Mamaw's little frames to my desk.

 I'm still loving my Instagram pics displayed on the "H".

I added more organizational bins!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to organize!!!!!

**********

Like I said earlier, things are ever-changing around here.  Case in point: the entryway is now on it's 210th look!!!  It's morphed too many times to count and now it serves as a workplace for the girls!!  I'll be posting about the "new" table (and make-over) and entryway re-do in the coming weeks.

 Are you a "decorate and leave it alone" person? Or, are you like me? Do you change it up often?  

Be warned:  This room is sure to change again!!  I'll be sure to keep you posted when it does!