Getting ready for September

Although we homeschool year round, there is definitely a difference between what we do in summer and what we do for the rest of the year. This is mainly because we do not go anywhere public, besides the YMCA, in summer (museums for example). They are too crowded. We go out of town quite a bit, friends and family that are home from school want to hang out more, gymnastics is during the day instead of in the evening, we go swimming a lot, etc.

I have made a plan for September, but I am only planning one month at a time because who knows what we will accomplish.

 A few weeks ago I completely decluttered the kids' rooms. I got rid of toys and clothes en masse. All closets are perfectly clean and simple. This has helped a ton with the amount of cleaning that needs to be done. There is nothing left to clean! Since then I have also tackled all other areas of the house including my own closet. 

I reorganized our book nook, cleaning off the table there and moving it so that everyone can sit around it at the same time. This allowed me to clear off the kitchen table (where they would previously sit when they wanted to color or work on some other project) and guess what!!?? We eat there now! I have been planning meals and cooking enough for leftovers. It has been working really well. I plan and shop for groceries on Sunday. I cook a main meal about 4 days a week and we have leftovers on the other days. I cook new sides each day.

All of the kids' main homeschooling supplies are now on this shelf (below) instead of on the table. Library books are in the basket on the floor.

 Last year I kept a binder for Eaden where I put all of her work. Math, Language, History, Science, Art, etc. I am going to do the same thing this year for my oldest three and add a section for photos.

The key to success is to be ready to go in the morning. To have the house clean, to have work prepared, materials and supplies on hand, and patience. 

I still have a few things left to do, but plenty of time until after Labor Day. I need some supplies (folders, binders, new colored pencils, magnet kit, etc.) and I need to organize my own home binder. I need to request books from the library and probably do a few other things I am forgetting...