The Calm Before the Syllabus...

Thursday night.

Thursday night Erik and I go to our co-op's parent meeting, and it is then and there that we will receive two very important things....

My baby monkey!!  :-)

I had to throw that pic in!!!

#1 We will receive syllabi for all of our boys' classes!  

#2 And, we will, also, come home with a large box full of books, books, workbooks, more books, and a couple additional books.  I get all giddy when I go through the history and literature books!! :-)

We have so enjoyed easing into the school year ~ just doing the core subjects.  I keep reminding the boys that more is coming.... And, so Thursday night I will receive all of their assignments for next week through the end of the school year, and I will spend several hours this weekend playing with hours and minutes and fitting it all into a neat little schedule or attempting to, anyway!  And, the calm before the syllabus will be over. :-)  

I am so excited about all that they will learn this year, and all that I will learn, too, right beside them!  

Here are a few pictures of the boys enjoying the slow pace of the last two weeks...

I caught him just like this... cute!

A happy bunch of boys!

 James got to play with pattern blocks as part of an assignment the other day!  He got to use his imagination and make something.  I thought his design was so pretty!!!

 Big boys receive happy tokens for reading to little boys!

Meet Buddy.  He has been a big hit around here!

 Eriky's turn to say Grace at lunch.

I can hardly contain my giggles when he prays.  He is so serious about his praying!

He is a ridiculously cute pray-er!!!

Lije climbed his very first tree this week with the help and instruction of his expert tree climbing brothers! :-)  He was soooo excited!  Of course, I had to help him down the first couple times, but eventually, he got the hang of it!!

Silly monkey!

Lije fell asleep on my lap while listening to one of his big brothers read to me.  He is four, and he still falls asleep in my lap about once a week.  I know it won't last much longer, so I am soaking it up!!!

Playing games with Lije. 

I don't have many pictures of the big boys!  Oops!  Their work isn't as colorful or fun!  We've had a fun week and a half.  I'm a little concerned about fitting everything in after I see the dreaded syllabi tomorrow night.  But, I know it will all work out!  Step by step.  More and more I am learning that God orders my days, and they often do not work out according to my plans.  But, He knows what truly needs to be accomplished each day.  And, sometimes a broken heart or a child who simply needs a little extra attention comes before the checklist.  Isn't all of life about being sensitive to His Spirit?  Guide our steps, Lord, each and every little step.