Sunday, September 06, 2009

First day of school!

I didn't have a chance to write about this on September 1, so I'll do it now.  September 1 was Jaan's first day of school!  That's a big holiday--Day of Knowledge--in this part of the world, so we did our own family celebration of starting homeschooling.  Will asked if I was going to make Jaan wear a big white bow on his head. No, I skipped that part (no black suit either), but we had a great day anyway.  While Raia and Asya napped, Jaan and I walked back from the dacha in the rain.  It was fun to have our first day of fall-ish weather at such an appropriate time!  And then we made a pumpkin pie together.  I called it a cooking lesson, but it was also an important object lesson that I hope we'll look back on throughout the year.  We walked into the kitchen, I said, "Make a pie!" and then supposedly sat down to watch him do it.  He stood there for a minute then said that he didn't know how.  Ah, yes.   I asked if he would listen carefully to me telling him how to do it.  He agreed, and I must say that he did a beautiful job!  As he worked, we talked about how this lesson applied to all of the schooling ahead of us.  Then he washed the dishes, decorated the table, and we had a very special tea.










(I took the graphic at the top from a Wikipedia article.)

5 comments:

Baba Julie said...

You are so wise in your approach to schooling Phyllis! I wish I could've known what you know at the beginning of our homeschool experience. And, what a lovely tea you had!! Love y'all!

Anna said...

mmm. So does that mean he can make pumpkin pie and wash dishes when you come for Thanksgiving?? =D

Mom said...

And so the adventure of formal schooling begins...although you have been educating ever since the children were born. I so agree with Julie's assessment of your wisdom. May your every effort be deeply rewarded.

Much love to teacher and student (as well as siblings and husband)....

Tamara said...

That is a good way to teach that lesson!
Emma would love to be there with you guys. Pumpkin pie is her favorite.

Abby said...

I love the pictures and description of your first day of school. It looks like he will become quite the little chef!:)