First Day Continued…

We have several traditions here in the Lightner house, but one of them that the kids really like when it comes to school is that I don’t let the kids come into our classroom for a few weeks before school begins.  I like to decorate and get all things set up so the kids will be excited to come and see what things are the same and what things are different.  Not too much had changed this year, but here is what they were excited to find the first morning:

Josiah had his very own pencil box with his large pencils, many crayons, and these cool scissors.  He wanted to cut EVERYTHING in site (but he was very good at cleaning up all of the piece that he cut that had dropped to the floor)!  He also had a special can with learning activities that he can choose from each day – puzzles, play dough, coloring, dominoes, blocks, etc.

Grace loved the idea of “the number of the day”.  It is a laminated page that I designed with a number in the center of the circle.  Then she has to write if that number is even or odd, draw the tally marks for that number, draw coins that would add up to that number, and complete the greater than and less than sentences.  It is re-usable since the page is laminated and we use dry erase markers – FABOULOUS!

Hannah found a container on her desk space that had circles inside.  She will use these circles to add to our Inky the Inchworm.  Each day Hannah will write a number on the circle that corresponds to the number of days we have been in school.  Then she will add that circle to the end of Inky and watch him grow!

JOURNALS!

NEW CHORE CHARTS!

Ready for pledges… some things didn’t change!

Caleb even enjoyed learning using the abacus!

Josiah at work…He is great at writing J’s and O’s – the first two letters in his name! BTW, that is pretty good pencil grip for a two year old! 

Hannah working on coloring her HANNAH name card!

While Grace picked cinnamon rolls for breakfast, Hannah picked the first day of school snack… CHOCOLATE PEANUTBUTTER DIP WITH PRETZELS and APPLES! YUMMO! Our kids have really inherited our taste buds!

A great start to the day… now time to get to work and learn, learn, LEARN!

Where have we been?

I am so sorry for this little vacation from my blogging world, but I have not taken a little vacation. I have been QUITE busy in my homeschool world…. and by QUITE, I mean VERY, EXTREMELY, and HAPPILY!  We have started our new school year with a great first day and many hopes and dreams for this year! 

Grace is now in first grade.  She reads like a champion and loves all of the work that we are doing.  She loves school and especially loves the idea of writing in cursive.. how grown up!

Hannah is now in preschool and is excited for each thing book that we have.  She is anxious to learn new things and be JUST LIKE HER BIG SISTER!  She is starting to read signs and identify words all over the place.  She wants to read and enjoys telling stories as she looks at books.  She may not be reading the exact words, but she is close!

Josiah is in Pre-preschool!  I have planned many activities for him to do throughout the days that we have school and I am excited to see how he does with all of this… I know it is going to be hard to keep him busy!  He loves to sing and will love to participate in Bible time, pledges, song time, and many activities that I have planned for him and the girls!

I am thankful that Caleb is still taking a morning nap.  We will have about 2 hours of uninterrupted time to work on things with the big kids before Caleb is up and ready to participate.  He is really into balls – he asks to play throw and catch ALL THE TIME!

Our prayer this year is that our children will grow in their knowledge and love of our Lord as we discover more about Him and His Creation!

Lead by Example

I am sure that you have heard the saying that you need to lead by example: a good saying but much harder to put into practice.  It scares me at times when I think of my kids following my lead.  I hope there are things (which I am working on) that they DON’T follow.

There is one family who I think does a really good job… one that is on TV for millions to see, but who are doing a great job that we need to follow.  The Duggar Family from Arkansas is THAT family… the one with 19 kids and is on TLC.  They have a great godly testimony and have a conservative worldview which is commendable.  They have followed the Word of God and have saturated it into the hearts and minds of their children.  They do a great job!

Several weeks ago our homeschool network had an announcement that the Duggars would be in Iowa for a free event on Labor Day.  Danny and I were both excited to pack up the minivan and take a little trip.  It was only 2 hours away and with no plans on Labor Day, we thought it was a perfect fit.

We had a fabulous weather day and perfect company – thanks, Stufflebeems for being part of the LIghtner Family!  We heard a few sessions with the Duggars and the host family, the Bontragers, but the two things that really stick out to me are 1) a great day with family doing family things together (is that redundant?).  2) Being around like-minded believers who value the Word of God and teaching it to their children.  It was a blessing and encouragement to me to KEEP ON GOING!  DO THE HARD WORK!  IT WILL PAY OFF IN THE END! 

There were about 1200 people at this farm and there were hardly any problems.  The kids were well behaved and nice to each other.  There were families TOGETHER with fathers leading and doing the hard work with the moms.  It was great to see… refreshing really! 

Jim Bob and some of their kids… just in the crowd talking with families!

Our girls waiting for the session to begin!

The host family… the Bontragers

The Duggars…well, only 17 of the kids, though.  Josh is in DC with his family and Jill was assisting some clients in the delivery of their babies!

Hannah and Miss Sherri in the cow barn!  The host family are dairy farmers.  It was SO interesting to see the cows up close (even the calves) and watch the milking process! The kids didn’t even mind the stinkiness too much!

A Hayride…. a VERY dusty hayride!

I love the angles on this shot…. good work, Danny Boy!

Playing with rocks…

Wow… you are so strong Mr. Justin!

“A-Maized” by all of the corn!

A fun day… and a great start to our homeschooling year!

I Wanna go to AWANA!

Once again we are excited for another great year of AWANA!  We are excited because we now have a SPARKIE, a CUBBIE… AND a PUGGLE!!  Josiah is now in Club which is he is thrilled about.  We had our first night on Wednesday and they all did great….

Grace is off and running saying almost all of her review sections from last year.  She is going to be done this book before we know it.  She just LOVES memorizing!

Hannah is now in four year old Cubbies and is going to have a great year with “Nanna” as her teacher… she is the same FABULOUS teacher that Grace had in that class!  They are going to be spoiled in that room with 2 great teachers and some wonderful kids!

And Josiah… He is thrilled to FINALLY wear his Puggles shirt.  It was Hannah’s when she was that age and He wears it with pride.  He is glad that Miss Megan (Sherri’s daughter) is his teacher.  They are bound to have lots of fun!!

And Caleb… he is just still in nursery while Daddy teaches and mommy goes to Bible Study! He will have plenty of fun… as long as he doesn’t get too tired!!

May this year be filled with a love for God’s Word and obedience to all that it says!  We love you, guys!