Company is coming and school planning

We are beyond excited that one of our favorite families from our hometown is coming to visit us this weekend. They have six children also, five boys and one girl. Our first company in our new city. And God has worked it out that they will be here for Yoda's baby dedication. Isn't he good?

In the midst of sorting, organizing, planning and cleaning for school to begin, we are planning for our company. I am trying to have our house all super organized, clean, and ready to go to give us a good start for the school year. I have been reading Steve and Teri Maxwell's book Managers of Their Homes. I have heard about this book for years, but never thought it would be something that I would actually use. Too much scheduling usually scares me off. But I have been praying about our upcoming school year and how I would be able to spend adequate time with each of the children and get done each day what I feel we should. A friend loaned me the book, mostly because the Maxwell's are going to be in the area in September and I am hoping we can go to the conference. I started reading the book and it really spoke to me. So, I have made all the lists, made a master list, and we are going to try it this fall. I am excited about it. The kids are worried....

I am really changing how we do some of our chores, also, to go with the new schedule. I am excited to see if it improves our day. I still have more curriculum to order, and then we should be ready to start. I have also been praying about our activities for the school year. What a blessing that there are so many good things to chose from. How hard it is to pass up activities that sound so good. But, if we are homeschooling, we had better be home most of the time. It really makes me laugh when people ask about socialization. They should really be asking if we don't socialize too much and don't get our school work done! Not that that would ever be true of us.....

I will post our curriculum and activities as soon as I get it all firmed up. For now, it is back to the basement for me!