I think we're ready

I ordered and received all the books, I put our schedule in the calendar, I've organized each cubby (until I find changes need to be made). I think we're ready.

This is our board that my mom contributed to our school. I bet you didn't know why I wanted this memo board and that you were giving a contribution when you bought it for me, did you mom?

We are in a new home starting a new year and we've had a chance to really settle in now, so I'm trying to be more official about it at this time. At first we were going to do school in the basement, but it was too hard doing that at the end of last year, because as I needed to get things like laundry or dishes done, or to make lunch, I had to be away from the kid that was learning. We've been doing a little schoolwork through the summer and the kitchen just seems to be the best place to do it. We also have a front room that we are turning into a library where some school work (reading) will be done too. That is where our cubbies are currently located. We still have a desk in the basement in case W needs to get away from the distraction of the little girls to do some work or some reading.

I really felt like I needed an official desk for the kids to put in the library or near my desk in the kitchen. It was difficult to find just what I had in mind, but I think I scored with this antique children's desk and chair.

I love antiques and this is my first true antique, I got it for $50. It needs some polishing up, and some screws tightened, but other than that it is in great shape. I want to get a tempered glass top for it someday. It fits perfectly in this spot and looks great in our kitchen. W is kind of too big for it already I think. Or at least he will be for sure in about a year. So we are pretty much letting E claim the desk for now. She will be doing some actual structured work now, of course most of it will be playing. :) Will works at the kitchen table.

Cubbies 

I feel hopeful about this year. Last year was a train wreck, with the move and the pregnancy and baby arrival. I am praying a lot and trying to keep a proper frame of mind. Since the kids are taking Chinese language lessons during the day, we don't have the same kind of abilities as regular homeschoolers. It is hard to do schoolwork in the afternoon when children are programmed to play at that time, and friends are dropping by. I worked something out with their tutor to try starting lessons at 11:00 instead of 9:00. If we start at 8:00 every morning, we could get some of the tougher schoolwork done when our minds are fresh. I appreciate their tutor willing to start later and to try this out. It made it SO hard on all of us to have Chinese language lessons take priority.