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{April Gratitudes}

On April 30, 2016May 1, 2016 By JessicaIn Gratitude Journal

What have you been thankful for this month?

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Hello, I’m Jessica. A minimalist homeschooling mother of two living on the British island of Guernsey. I’m also a nature lover, letter writer and journal keeper that wants to to live life with an open heart. Welcome to my blog.

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My eldest started Year 2 earlier this week and clearly, going by this pic, it’s the age where you become less obliging! 😆 . We’ve both been excited about the start of Year 2 though. For us Year 2 is the year where we transition out of the early years of learning a Charlotte Mason style education and start adding in various subjects that we haven’t formally studied before. . . A week in and the daily maths lesson and reading practice are going well and our history and geography topics have been a big hit, which as a history lover and keen world explorer myself, I’m of course delighted with. . All in all it’s been a productive week but definitely not a perfect one. We didn’t get round to our embroidery or Bible study this week, I delayed introducing our history read aloud so as not to overwhelm and the girls did less yoga practice than usual. I also got zero housework done bar the necessary daily cooking and laundry. 🙈 . So tell me homeschoolers, what new subjects are you adding in this school year (and what household jobs are now falling by the wayside as a result!?) . . #homeed #homeeduk #homeeducation #homeeducationuk #homeeducationguernsey #homeschool #homeschooling #charlottemasonhomeschool #charlottemasoneducation #charlottemasonuk #livingeducation #year2 #grade2 #firstdayofschool #backtoschool #thegirardgirls

I’m always excited to unpack our box of books from the Schools Library Service, it’s so wonderful to be supported in this way. This box is packed full of books to aid us in our history and art enrichment subjects this autumn term. For history we’re focusing on prehistoric history, starting with the Stone Age and so far it’s been a lot of fun. For picture study we’re looking at the art of Edgar Degas and for composer study we’re listening to Tchaikovsky, starting with Swan Lake. I’ll share some pics of the books we’re using for each topic at a later date so keep your eyes peeled for that, but for now tell me who and what are you currently studying in your home? . . #homeed #homeeduk #homeeducation #homeeducationuk #homeeducationguernsey #homeschool #homeschooling #charlottemasonhomeschool #charlottemasoneducation #charlottemasonuk #librarybooks

We’re entering our third year of homeschooling today and this time I have two school girls in the mix! Bubbles started her reception year today, the UK’s equivalent to the US’s kindergarten (although it starts a year earlier here at age 4) and we’ve had a great start to her reception year. . She started as usual with her morning chores, followed by beading during her sister’s table time work then on to our morning basket which today included our usual devotions along with poetry by A.A. Milne, a hymn study and story from Brambly Hedge. We then went to our nature explorers group for a woodland walk where we got rather wet so returned home early and got into pjs by 2pm! After some free play we continued school in our pyjamas with a new read aloud (All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor) and then poetry tea time with a bit of game-schooling thrown in. We then finished the day with play doh and thinking putty for some sensory fun. . . All in all a productive first day, will probably be our most productive of the school year! 😉🙃 . . #homeed #homeeduk #homeeducation #homeeducationuk #homeeducationguernsey #homeschool #homeschooling #charlottemasonhomeschool #charlottemasoneducation #charlottemasonuk #firstdayofschool #backtoschool #thegirardgirls

Cute beekeepers alert! 🐝🐝🐝. . Whilst I was on my adventures in New Zealand my girls got to have a little adventure of their own and went with their Daddy to watch some beekeeping. Such a great experience for them and thankful for the friend who made it possible. Now I’m just waiting for my turn to visit the bees! . . #homeed #homeeduk #homeeducation #homeeducationuk #homeschool #homeschooling #homeeducationguernsey #charlottemasonhomeschool #charlottemasoneducation #charlottemasonuk #naturestudy #naturalhistory #beekeeping #beekeepingwithchildren #beekeepingwithkids #savethebees #thegirardgirls

I’m home sweet home after my trip to New Zealand and feeling the jet lag, but my case is unpacked, the laundry is done and the souvenirs are all in their new homes. Next up for today is homeschool prep as we’re “back to school” on Monday. I’m really looking forward to this term of learning as we have lots of new subjects, including history, geography and maths, plus a new student to welcome into the mix. 😊 . . #homeed #homeeduk #homeeducation #homeeducationuk #homeschool #homeschooling #homeeducationguernsey #charlottemasonhomeschool #charlottemasoneducation #charlottemasonuk #homeschoolprep

Until next time, New Zealand. . . #newzealand #northisland #northislandnz #visitnewzealand #kiwibird #worldtraveler #worldexplorer

My week with the lovely @cherie_haughton and co. of @bottlecreekdiaries is coming to a close. It’s been such a special week reuniting with friends, catching up on life, pottering in the garden and exploring the beautiful inlet and coastline they call home. It’s a bittersweet goodbye for me. I’m eager to return to my lovely family and yet sad to say goodbye to these dear friends once again. I’ve had such a wonderful time though, it’s been a dream come true to be here with them and I leave with many precious memories and conversations that will carry me through until we meet again. . . #newzealand #friendship #reunited #gratitude #thankfulheart #preciousmemories #untilnexttime #alaperchoine

When staying in Paremata you get a coffee (or in my case a peppermint hot chocolate) from the @littleblackcoffeetruck and take a stroll past the boat houses. Perfect start to the day.👌🏽 . . #littleblackcoffeetruck #paremata #newzealand #visitnewzealand #worldtraveler #worldexplorer

When in Wellington you ride the cable car. It’s a must. ❤️ I managed to do so much during my 48 hours in Wellington, way more than I thought I’d be able to so I may even do a blog post when I return home with some suggestions of what to do during a short stay in Wellington. My favourites though were definitely riding the cable car, visiting Zealandia and having a tour of the Weta Workshop. @wellingtoncablecar @visit_zealandia @wetaworkshop . . #wellington #wellingtonnz #newzealand #visitwellington #visitnewzealand #cablecar #wellingtoncablecar #worldtravel #worldexplorer

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