First Day of School!

We officially began the 2016-17 school year today! 

My babies are getting so big! I cannot believe that my Sugar Bear is in 4th grade and my Little Man is in 2nd grade.

*Wipe away a tear*

Ok.
Moving on....

I started a few First-Day-of-School traditions our second year of homeschooling. I so did not come up with these ideas on my own, but the kids don't know that and while my children aren't exactly thrilled about starting formal school lessons again, they look forward to our special first day.

1. Breakfast

We begin the day with a special breakfast. I usually put some money back so we can go out to eat, which is something we rarely do for the first meal of the day. The only place in our little town that isn't fast food is Waffle House and I don't care to drive 20 minutes away on a school morning. :-)  

2. Pictures

Our first day of school is also picture day. We not only record what grade the kids are in now, but we also take "school pictures".

They are such hams.  :-D

3. Goody Bags

I go out and purchase little school related gifts. In times past, I have included school supplies such as markers, scissors and folders. This year I already had all that set up on my new shelf. So I got other little things:

• An activity book - a boredom buster
• Some stickers - I don't think they'll ever outgrow stickers
• a 300-pc puzzle - for a challenge this year
• A journal - to encourage them to begin writing down their thoughts

This year, I got them a BIG back-to-school gift. They both received their very own Bible. They will use their Bible at home during Bible reading time, Bible study time. They will carry them to service on Sundays and Wednesdays as well. (Bible covers might be a necessary Thanksgiving gift this year.)

Saying that may sound a little strange. Let me explain: We have purchased children's Bible (story and picture) for them to use only at home. We did not allow them to take them to the church house. We have been training them to be attentive and listen to the messages being taught in services. They are now at the age they can look up the passages on their own so I decided it was time to get them real Bibles, if you will. 

I also got them little tabs to put on the pages of their Bibles to help them find passages a little quicker. We will be working on memorizing the books of the Bible this school year. 

4. New School Books

After we come back home from breakfast and take pictures, I let Sugar Bear and Little Man take a peek at the books they will be learning from this school year. They liked a few books and not-so-much on other books. Jonathan kinda complained about everything this morning as he is not excited about having to buckle down to work again. I don't think it's not that we don't have fun with our school, he just likes to be completely free to do whatever he wants, and that isn't limited to school work. 

So after we completed all our First Day Traditions, we had a Hymn study, a Bible study and reviewed some math facts.

I'm looking forward to this school year. I pray that all of us will grow in God's truth, peace and love.