DAILY FARM LIFE / HOMESCHOOLING

Do I look ready?

I’m up early this morning before the girls. It feels very back-to-schoolish of me. But really, it is out of necessity. I don’t really feel ready to start our homeschooling year this morning. But at the same time, with all the time in the world, would I ever feel completely ready? I felt the same way when I was a third grade teacher. Never quite ready.

But if I can just suck down this cup of coffee and get a five minute head start on the day, I think I’ll feel pretty good.

I hear voices upstairs….thankfully, my children enjoy a lounge in bed most mornings before emerging.

do I look ready?

Dan and I spent the day yesterday dealing with the monster in the corner that is my homeschooling/art cupboard–which had quickly become my, “I don’t know where this goes, shove it in the blue cupboard”-cupboard. It is wonderful to have space this year to spread out all my stuff. Last year it was a constant struggle–toting around my “boat and tote” of books, figuring out how to stow away 500 counting bears….

But this cupboard is way more prepared than I am. But looking at it, could almost convince me that I’m ready. Almost.

And in honor of going back to school, how about a little Atom Collider Rap to start your morning? It’s good to know you can be this smart, and still a pretty decent rapper.  When she gets into the whole “three dimensions that we live in” thing at the end, my brain starts to thump in my head. Apparently, when this Large Hadron Collider goes into operation on September 10, the things it uncovers will “rock you in the head.” 

And last but not least, Emma has a little news she’d like to share with you:


Rhode Island Red from molly balint on Vimeo.

His name is Sunshine. His name is Sunshine. His name is Sunshine. Did you get that? Oh, and it’s 2008. Come 2015, I’ll be really glad she let me know that.

I hear voices…..Happy Tuesday, everyone!

I’m up early this morning before the girls. It feels very back-to-schoolish of me. But really, it is out of necessity. I don’t really feel ready to start our homeschooling year this morning. But at the same time, with all the time in the world, would I ever feel completely ready? I felt the same way when I was a third grade teacher. Never quite ready.

But if I can just suck down this cup of coffee and get a five minute head start on the day, I think I’ll feel pretty good.

I hear voices upstairs….thankfully, my children enjoy a lounge in bed most mornings before emerging.

do I look ready?

Dan and I spent the day yesterday dealing with the monster in the corner that is my homeschooling/art cupboard–which had quickly become my, “I don’t know where this goes, shove it in the blue cupboard”-cupboard. It is wonderful to have space this year to spread out all my stuff. Last year it was a constant struggle–toting around my “boat and tote” of books, figuring out how to stow away 500 counting bears….

But this cupboard is way more prepared than I am. But looking at it, could almost convince me that I’m ready. Almost.

And in honor of going back to school, how about a little Atom Collider Rap to start your morning? It’s good to know you can be this smart, and still a pretty decent rapper.  When she gets into the whole “three dimensions that we live in” thing at the end, my brain starts to thump in my head. Apparently, when this Large Hadron Collider goes into operation on September 10, the things it uncovers will “rock you in the head.” 

And last but not least, Emma has a little news she’d like to share with you:


Rhode Island Red from molly balint on Vimeo.

His name is Sunshine. His name is Sunshine. His name is Sunshine. Did you get that? Oh, and it’s 2008. Come 2015, I’ll be really glad she let me know that.

I hear voices…..Happy Tuesday, everyone!

23 comments on “Do I look ready?”

  1. Oh, man, oh, man. Today is my catch-up day after camping-mode, and next week I start teaching. My hat is off to you dear, because I couldn’t school my boy at home. Just being part-time art teacher is enough to make me a little crazed.

  2. You sure do look ready! I’ve managed to put off starting our homeschooling year until the 15th because we are going on vacation next week but I always feel the same way… like I’ve got to just jump in with both feet.

  3. I certainly wasn’t ready. I checked email instead of exercising. Then I checked blog stats instead of Bible reading. Then I had to shower quick and leave my hair wet. So during a break I spritzed it. And, I yelled before 9:30am. Hmm–could it have to do with skipping my morning time with God?

    However…the kids got through almost a week’s worth of work in one morning. Now I know I can slow down a bit and add some more flex-time (and maybe a playdate with you and yours) in our schedule. Whew!

  4. Your cupboard looks fantastic! I admire the fact that you are homeschooling. I am starting to teach one and a half days a week-third grade as well. It’s so interesting being a teacher and a mom, isn’t it? I really missed my own kids while I was at school today!

  5. It’s funny… My dd is 3 and all of a sudden I’m feeling behind the 8-ball with this homeschooling thing! I know I don’t need to do anything too formal yet, but with every kid around me going back to school, I’m inspired to get my act together a bit. Your cabinet is quite confidence-inspiring. I’m sure you’ll do great!

    And also, I had to add that Wendell Berry is one of my favorite authors and personal heroes! Happy reading!

  6. My son started first-grade homeschool just last week. With a busy toddler around (mine is 20 months)I don’t know how one can be truly ready. My husband works second shift, which I see as God’s provision for our homeschool life. I couldn’t do it without him. He leaves for work at 2pm.

    I just read your BabyCenter post as well, about the differences between your girls. Your writing is just blossoming so much! What a truly beautiful piece!

    Enjoy your first week!

  7. Good luck with it all. (My) hat’s off to you for doing it, I know I couldn’t. Couldn’t listen to the videos as it is still too early, I too like to get a jump on the world, although with 2 teenagers they have to get it with me. Fancy starting school at 7.30! I have also spent most of the long weekend organising. Going through what we don’t need anymore, working out a new system for homework (in fact I could do with a big blue cupboard). The first few weeks are always hard, then it just becomes life again.

  8. Sometimes the world is small. Today was the ‘rentre’ for French children (the French have a noun for this event)as well. Every mommy I met talked about it. The kids couldn’t. They were in school.The cashier in the supermarket told me her wee girl didn’t want to go and clung to her leg. One of the guys we work with talked about his son’s girlfriend. Who cried because her love is going to boarding school and she’ll see him on weekends only.It must be such a big world when you’re little.By the way: You have one impressive cupboard. I don’t think we have one this organized in the whole house.

    Wishing you ‘bonne rentre’ , a happy beginning of your school year.

  9. I’ve been really pondering homeschooling my children (ages 6, 4, 2, and 2 wks). I don’t really have my families support and I’m not sure about a curriculm to follow. But I feel strongly about wanting to homeschool and I know that my children would benefit. Do you have any advice for me?

  10. Friend, I love this post, your cupboard and that RAP. My husband had me watch that the other night. Not that I understand exactly what it means, but it’s a cool concept!

    We too have Rhode Island Reds, along with a few others. Congratulations!

  11. Looks awesome…I wish I had as pretty a cabinet as that, but mine will do the jobuntil I do. 😉

    Mine also do not look organized right now, as P keeps finding other ‘school related stuff’to add.

  12. I wanna be ready!! I want chickens!!

    We’ve been in the process of moving since the end of May and I want it to be over already. I’m currently living with my parents while my husband is doing some Air Force stuff. I can’t wait for my own house, some semblance of normal, and my own cupboard so we can get on with school already.

  13. I’ve been meaning to come back and tell you that i love your homeschooling armoire! how wonderful to have everything in one place and organized so artfully. i am just so impressed that you do this… i cannot imagine how challenging and also amazing it would be to homeschool two girls and have a third toddling around! i’m in awe!

  14. Wish I had room for such a wonderful armoire and the patience to homeschool. Thank goodness for wonderful preschool teachers. We much enjoyed the Atom Collider Rap by the way. Pumpkin Cake in the oven tonight and concord grape galette the other day. Thanks for the inspiration!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.