New friends and Addie's first day of school

God's blessings continued on move-in day, when many men came to help Greg unload the truck. Additionally, one of the guys who was a friend-of-a-friend lives in our same apartment complex with his family. He invited us all over for dinner that night!

So our first night, we went over for dinner at the Worsley home. Their four kids were super excited to meet Addie and she liked them right away. During dinner, Mrs. Worsley (that would be Heather) invited me and Addie to join a casual group of homeschooling moms who were getting together a few times a month for group school days and field trips.

Since we were planning to start homeschooling Addie through a Kindergarten curriculum once we got settled, and since we were going to be part of a great co-op group in California before we left (and were so disappointed to be leaving that opportunity behind), we were THRILLED to be invited to this group. Heather let us know that their first day together, a "get-to-know-you" day, was planned for the next week, so we were just in time!

The day for "TEACH" (that's what it's called) came, and we realized that even though we hadn't started a formal curriculum yet, we were taking Addie to a school day, and that meant this was her FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

So we had a special breakfast of pancakes and broke out the "You Are Special" plate, both were accomplishments since we were barely unpacked yet.

Then a "First Day of School" picture

or two.

Addie is carrying her school/art supplies, and her "me" box. Each child brought a box with five items that tell something about them. Addie's included:

-A rainbow box because she likes "all the colors" (not one favorite)

-Her favorite bed-friend Piglet, which she got at Disneyland

-A little butterfly made of pipe cleaners because she likes butterflies and because Meemaw made it for her

-a magnet showing Los Angeles because that's where she moved from (and it's all we could find to represent CA)

-A little book she made herself with the letters of the alphabet because she loves books and writing letters.

-Her play baton- because Leo on Little Einsteins has a baton too and that is her favorite show and she loves to conduct.

Here is a group shot in Shaleah Channell's living

room - headquarters for the day

We played games and did art and had lunch, and each child took a turn introducing themselves and telling the group about their "Me Box." Addie did a great job when it was her turn- she was quite the little public speaker! She actually did such a good job that I was shocked- I think she gets some of her daddy's ability to talk in front of a group.

So, this great little group of homeschoolers will be something you hear a good bit about in the future. We've already gone on one field trip and are about to go on another tomorrow! I'll be posting pictures soon, so stay tuned!