I have been completely immersed in my homeschool room this week. I have been organizing, going through things and trying to figure out how to make my homeschool room as user-friendly (and Graham-proof) as possible. I am feeling so much better about the upcoming school year than I did last year. I am sure every year that passes, I will feel a little more knowledgeable and confident than the year before (at least I hope so!).
I have been trying to solidify a schedule for our school days. Here is roughly what I have come up with:

School time with mom:
1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Bible time (using A beka Bible curriculum and AWANA material)
3. A beka Reading and phonics work
4. Developmental Math
5. Rotate: History, Fine arts/Music, Geography, Science

Workbox Time:
Complete workbox items 1-6 on own unless otherwise specified.

I have been working on what I will be using for Isaac's workbox this year. Here are some of the things I am thinking about: Art projects, Leap pad, Games, Computer, Listening to an audio story or story read by mom, worksheets, Manipulatives, excersise, legos, watching "Planet Earth" series.

I have made the decision to send Graham to preschool for 2 hours two days per week. This will help me to have some concentrated time with Isaac and I think it will also be good for Graham to have some friends his age. I feel a little bit uneasy about sending him, so it is on a trial basis only. I have a few behavioral issues with Graham, as he is my strong-willed child! I am also hoping that preschool will help him to widen his view of authority figures and to recognize that he must submit to authority in all areas of life to be successful.

Whew! It's been a long time since I have posted anything here. We have been in summer mode around here...lots of fun and unstructured time. Although I dread the start of winter anytime soon, I am ready to get back to regular routine. There is comfort in that, and my kids both do better behaviorally with structure.
Next week I am planning to use most of the week for planning and getting our homeschool room in order.
Here are some of my goals for the upcoming year:
(1) keep focused on why I am homeschooling (relationship with my children and relationship with Christ) and not get so side-tracked on stress and achievement.
(2) Isaac reading strongly by the end of the year
(3) Graham having a strong grasp on preschool concepts--numbers, colors, shapes, etc.
(4) Isaac doing addition and subtraction comfortably
(6) Isaac on a daily chore system
(7) Isaac participating in TKD, AWANA, gymnastics, possibly something pertaining to