Today was our first day of school for this year! This past week, I ignored the boxes and worked hard to get things all ready to start school today. It wasn’t perfect- I had hoped to get a chore chart created and I had hoped to have my library books here today (I am used to libraries being open for more days and longer hours than they are around here), but life- and therefore also the first day of school- is not perfect.

Last week when I was typing up my goals for the year, I thought I’d ask the kids what goals they might have. So I took each older child aside and asked them about what they would like to learn or accomplish this year in school. X-man wants to keep learning more about math and improve in drawing. Princess K wants to learn to read, learn to draw (specifically flowers), and learn how to bake cupcakes. Since discussing these goals, my princess has asked daily if we are starting school today. She has been so excited. So it was wonderful today to be able to answer “Yes!”

In our new house, our kitchen/dining area is quite large. So we have the dining table on one side and the schoolroom on the other side. It is quite cozy with a fireplace and everything. And it is quite convenient with the kitchen right there. We had the basic furniture already in place, but all the school stuff and the wall decorations and tools we put up last night when they went to bed. So when they woke up this morning, the schoolroom had been transformed!

We started the day with our Bible lesson about David- and we had a great discussion afterward about obedience, salvation, and grace. We sang (and X & K helped me come up with hand motions for) “Crown Him with Many Crowns.” Then we did our chores, had Preschool Time (more about that later), and finished getting ready for the day.

Then it was time for Special Agent Training Registration. This year, we will be studying American History, so I decided that we would be American Secret Agents that specialize in time travel. (A super secret government program!) Today, our agents-in-training got fingerprinted and pictures taken for their passports. They were issued Top Secret Files and other supplies that we labeled with their Agent Identity Number. (It was fun!)

After we had that fun, we moved on to more traditional school activities. We did copywork and math and science. During “Registration,” they received a small United States cutout. They will be receiving stars for special services to their country (or daily school tasks) and will receive special rewards when they have earned a star in each state. They also found a pez dispenser in their supply box. Today, when they worked cheerfully and remained on task with me, I allowed them to have one pez candy for a reward.

Altogether, it was a great first day of school! Tomorrow, we will get our books from the library and have our first time traveling adventure. My husband made this time machine for us: