What Kindergarten Looks Like

Prepare to be bombarded by pictures of an adorable boy. I cannot express too strongly how much I'm enjoying being teacher to another 5 year old. And this 5 year old is simply a joy to be with...

Our mornings often begin in this way...Ju is the big boy amongst littles when we take big sister and brother to school. While his age mates enter their classroom, he swings and plays superheroes with younger friends. Then it's off to our morning ritual- buy milk and stop by the coffee shop for a cookie- what a way to start the day!

Coming home- we get out our books and settle down at the table. Some math, some phonics, working through the alphabet in handwriting...all while mommy straightens and cleans. This doesn't take long, and he's flying...

He finished his first (primer) math book and is on to the next. As this was pretty basic material and gave lots of practice pages, he was able to use the same book big brother used. Well done, Ju! One thing I love about laying the educational foundation at home is that we can go at his pace, spending time on thoroughly understanding things and moving on from things that are easily comprehended.

Sometimes, school days look like this. We pack up and head to the park, find a shady spot to work...

...then head out on a paddle boat for a spin and a card game on the water.

One thing we really love about the area where we live now is that we can ride our bikes down to a little food market, and we go there for lunch several times a week, uno cards in hand to play while we wait for our food...

lime shake-mmm!

If there's one word that encapsulates our days this year, I would say it's freedom. I'm free to teach Julian at his own pace. We're free to cover the basics and then enjoy the wonderful world around us. We're also free to do other things when life intervenes, believing that all of life is learning and experience and play are primary teachers at this age. I'm grateful for this gift of time with him, watching him unlock the mysteries of the written word, discover how numbers work together, and growing in relationship with him. What a privilege.

enjoying his freedom- taken when out with Daddy getting our intern settled in her new apartment...this yummy beverage was consumed, and then the inevitable tummy ache ensued!

Recent Favorites

Sometimes pictures really are worth thousands of words. Especially in the midst of family life, when the days are so full and pass so quickly, there's such beauty in looking back at moments and savoring where you are in the journey. In that spirit, here are a few favorites that tell some of our story from these recent weeks...

We live near the King's park again, much to everyone's delight. Tim took this picture on a run one evening, and it captures its beauty well. I'm not overstating the case when I say that I love this park- so many good memories for us here.

The bigger kids just acquired bikes. Because of apartment living, Asa had never learned to ride a big bike. So what did he do when he sat astride his own for the first time? Took right off and began to ride! Way to go, buddy!

The school recently had a 'caps for cure' day- wear a hat to school, give a donation toward research for a cancer cure (please, Lord- quickly!) Asa wore his Papa's WWII tanker hat, and gave his class a history lesson to boot. We sure are proud of our Papa.

Celebrating this fellow's birthday- I am so privileged to walk through life with such an amazing person.

Tim found this graffiti in the city. We'd been wondering what Emmy was up to on her late night excursions!

A moment (let's be honest, a rare moment) of brotherly bonding...

A little fun at school drop off with one of Ju's buddies- they love to be super heroes together.

"Mommy, will you help me make a mustache?"..."and a goatee, like Daddy!"

And finally, a little sample of Asa's sparring in taekwando- I think he looks like a Lego man in his sparring gear- so cute! (and fierce, of course...)