Easing back into school

OK, OK, I know what some of you are thinking. "What? The Mateers are starting school already?" Well, yes, actually we are. We were going a bit stir crazy down here in our apartment with the heat outside and the "nothing to do, Mom"; so we decided to make good use of our time and go ahead and start back to school. Actually, I am looking forward to the schedule that school brings again. We have had 2 1/2 wonderful months off - it really was a super summer overall. Our trip up north was so special and so many memories formed. (But I would not be truthful if I did not admit that I was tired of the bickering when we got back from our trip and we were stuck in the house!) As I said, overall though, a really precious summer. Thank you, Lord!

So, anyway, as I was saying, we started back to school today. This was a fun day - we take our pictures of the first day of school (see below) and the kids decided yesterday they wanted to have a "science party" today. I told them that was a good kick off to school, but they said they were just doing it for fun. :) Sarah was so sweet - she came up with the idea and then also came up with a good idea for Sammy to be able to participate. (She suggested he do something with mixing colors. Then she said, "That's science too, right Mom?" Absolutely it is!)

Here are some pictures of our first day of school.

Josh - going into 5th grade this year - Whoa is he really starting 5th grade this year?!

Studious Sarah - our sweet 4th grader

Tim - our sweet first grader

Woohoo! Sammy is excited about starting Preschool this year!

 Tim sharing about how we get our water in our "science party". He got the idea from A Magic Schoolhouse book "A Trip to the Waterworks" which he has been wanting to read over and over again lately.

 Sarah doing her experiment.

 The mad scientist :)