Here we are, jumping into our second official year of homeschooling. We’re all feeling rejuvenated after a long summer break, and we’ve enjoyed being back in the books since last Monday.

On the first day of public school, I felt the same conglomeration of emotion as I did last year:

Excitement for our first day.
Nervousness that we’ll really be able to do it all.
Worry that I’ve made the right choice for my family for another year.
Joy that I get to have my girls at home with me.

Sometimes, I still have my doubts that I’m really doing what’s best for everyone, but deep down, I know that homeschool is what we need right now. I can honestly say that this is the busiest season of my life. I’m caring for a newborn, keeping a toddler happy, attempting to have our house in some kind of order, and teaching my two oldest girls in the midst of it all. Our days are full to the brim, and at the end of each one, I’m completely exhausted, but I know that I’m fulfilling a grand purpose.I’m trying to remember that while working through our curriculum is important, the most crucial thing is that my children feel loved (this article was a great reminder). I’m not keeping them home just to make sure we check off every box on our to-do list, and I don’t want them to grow up and have memories of a mom nagging them to do their work. I want them to cultivate their own desire for knowledge and to discover what they’re truly interested in.

I’m making an effort to be intentional with our time. We have more time together than we would if they were attending public school, but I want to make it really count. We’re snuggling up and reading good books, learning about animals we’re curious about, and creating art together this year. We have a “lifestyle of learning” instead of just formal school hours, and I’m overjoyed by that.

I can’t believe my little kindergarten baby is now a first grader. She has been so excited to do first grade work. Math is her very favorite, but she’s really great at reading, writing, and spelling, too. (Also, Nella totally photobombed this picture, but it was Kaya’s most genuine smile, and hey, it’s true to life!)
She wanted to wear all her Hello Kitty jewelry for her pictures!Kaelyn is still doing a very relaxed preschool curriculum, mostly child-led. She completes as much work as she’s up to doing, which is often more than I would have prescribed. My main goal for her this year is to do 2-3 lessons per week from Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. Everyone wanted a special photo with Evie, so I had to include these. They love her so much! I’m glad they get to stay home and enjoy time with her in these fleeting early days of babyhood. Here’s to another wonderful, challenging, growth-filled year!