More from the first week of school

We continued with about 2 hours of day for school this week. Caleb and Isabelle were always anxious to get started in the morning. They would start doing school before our official starting time at 8:00AM. 

 The pictures are from Tuesday morning  Caleb got an early start, and Isabelle soon joined him.  When they were done with their individual work for the day, they sat out on the porch and played Legos while they waited for us to get started.

I'm sure the enthusiasm will wear off, but it's nice for now.

Today, we had a funny conversation during school.  Ian had to do a "time audit" of how he spends his days.  I took the opportunity to talk to all of them a little bit about time management.  I didn't want to overload them with too much information, so I stopped and asked if they had any questions.

Isabelle: "I have a question.  Do you like this drawing of Coyote?"

Ian: "I was thinking about the different books I've read, and I was wondering...."

Glad to know they're hanging on my every word!

First day back to school

 My pictures are a little out of focus- still experimenting with the new camera.

Today was the day to jump back into school- or at least dip our feet in the shallow end.  We spent about two hours on math and reading, and that was it for the day.

We're going to keep a light schedule this week, and aim for full time next week.

Unpacking

Coyote is just a little spoiled

We arrived back in Impfondo last Monday.  The kids were pretty anxious to see Coyote with their own eyes, and make sure he was really doing OK.  As you can see, he's just fine and he is happy to have the kids back to give him attention.

I'll take this bed.

We were able to bring four trunks with us on the plane from Brazzaville, four more came Thursday, and the remaining seven came yesterday.  Fifteen trunks seems like a lot when you are trying to transport them.  When you unpack, and realize that's about it for the next three years, it doesn't seem like much!

I'm remembering how much time and energy daily life takes without modern conveniences.  For example, we had a huge pile of laundry between our dirty clothes from our trip, dirty linens left here, and some things in the house that just smelled musty.  In the US I would have been able to wash and dry all that in just one day, maybe two.  Here it means hand washing, one basket at a time.  But at least I know I'm providing work for some women in the community.

Ian's last clean outfit our first morning in Impfondo.
Good thing he doesn't care if his clothes match.

Stephen has been playing handyman around the house- doing some minor repairs and trying to get things in working order.  He's also had a few meetings and is cleaning out his office.   He'll be working part time the rest of this week, and he'll start full time next week. 

For those wondering about school, we have all of our school books now.  I'm hoping this week to organize what we have and make a schedule.  We may be starting a light school schedule next week, or it may be one more week.  I'm trying to get things at our house and guest housing working smoothly first so that we will have fewer interruptions when we do start back.

Laundry on the line.

For now, everyone is happy and healthy.  We're glad to be back and beginning to settle into life here.

School- Weeks 3 & 4

Baby Kylie joined us one afternoon

Ian reading to Caleb

Isabelle's haircut

 Week 3 & 4: Sept 9-13 & Sept 16-20

Ian's thrilled to be working on grammar.

We were able to have two weeks of school in one place (Cut Bank.)

Stephen was working in Browning & Great Falls, but the kids and I stayed in Cut Bank.  We still managed to take our school to a few different locations. :)

Recess at the library on a chilly day

Back to School

Our first day of school- dropping paperwork off at the Glacier County Courthouse

At the maze with the Parkers

First night of the Mission's Conference in Kalispell

Doing school at the Orts- French class

We were all sad to see summer come to an end! But it was time to head back to school.

This year Ian is in 8th grade; Isabelle is in 5th grade; and Caleb is in 2nd grade.  We are studying some things together- Bible, American history, and French.  The other subjects are done individually according to grade level.

Week 1: August 26-30
We combined history, science, and language arts this week while we focused on Glacier National Park.  Stephen and Ian had a backpacking/camping trip planned Wednesday and Thursday, but unfortunately a rain storm ruined that plan.

We were still able to go hiking in the park Thursday, including a boat ride across Two Medicine Lake.  We found some moose tracks and followed those along the trail for awhile.  We also learned some things about the trees on the edge of the shore.  The next day, we joined the Parkers at the Amazing Fun Center in West Glacier.  Everyone had a great time!  We continued from there on to Kalispell to visit the Orts.  We spent Labor Day weekend at family camp at Big Sky Bible Camp with Central Bible Church (one of our supporting churches.)

Week 2: September 3-6
After camp was finished, we stayed with the Orts in Kalispell.  When the Ort children went to school in the morning, we set up school at the dining room table. Wednesday evening started the Mission's Conference at Central Bible Church.  It was challenging to do school in a different location with other obligations in the evening. It's a good thing it was only a four day school week!

More school pictures

We had some extra students for school on Tuesday morning.

A Typical Day of School- Part 3

Our lunch break lasts from 12:30-1:30.

At 1:30, I do science with Isabelle, Cherissa, and Caleb.

Ian uses this time to finish any individual work or do corrections from his workbooks.

At 2:00, we start our read aloud book (not pictured here).  We read for about an hour, and then we do an elective.  Right now we are working are way through the "Story of Orchestra."  There is a CD with music samples that makes it come alive.

 Our school day is over at 3:30 pm.