Today was Poppy’s first day of kindergarten. Rockford was able to work from home for part of the day today, and it was great to have him here as we started our school year (and not only because it meant that Poppy and I got to go out for a mommy-daughter lunch). Poppy climbed into our bed first thing this morning, and we spent a few minutes cuddling before getting up and brushing teeth. Then we climbed back into bed to start our “work.”

Our book this week is “Harold and the Purple Crayon” by Crockett Johnson. I’d never read the book before. It’s a sweet, simple little adventure story — perfect for reading while cuddling. After we were all dressed and fed, Poppy and I talked about what a neighborhood is, then she drew a picture of our neighborhood — complete with an extra-large Marsha and one of the neighbors’ ducks. We had our handwriting lesson after that, and then Poppy and I went out to buy ballet shoes and have lunch. Later this afternoon we’ll read the first chapter of “The Story of Doctor Dolittle,” and tonight we’ll have a Bible lesson.

It’s been a gentle, lovely first day of kindergarten.* I’m going to try to post a schooling roundup once a week; let’s hope I can continue to share gentle and lovely stories!

*Mostly. There was the part where Pete and his pal Addison locked Rockford, Poppy and I out of the house and ran amuck until Rockford found a neighbor with a ladder tall enough to reach our back porch. But that’s another story for another day.