Curriculum is in!

The curriculum for the girls has finally arrived and "real" school can officially start.  They were so excited as I opened the boxes from Children's Books.  It was funny to see the dancing they did. I thought Elizabeth was going to fall over from all the jumping around she did when I opened the box containing her math set.  So, here's what we're using...

Everyone:
Bible:  Leading Little Ones to God , which we've already started and is borrowed from a friend.  The girls have enjoyed it thus far.

Annie:
Preschool:  Letters of the Week Preparatory Curriculum.  So far she loves most the coloring pages that I print.

Katherine:
Reading:  Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons  I'm so thankful that I know what to do and what to skip in this book this year! Last year was a hard one for me and Elizabeth as I learned along with her. Katherine benefits from that experience.
Writing:  A Reason for Handwriting: Manuscript A  She did the Kindergarten version of the book last year so we move up this year.  She loves this book.  They practice a letter and/or a few words each day for four days. The words are taken from a particular Bible verse.  On Friday they write the Bible verse on a border page that they choose and color - then get to give away. She loves the "art" part of this, too.
'Rithmatic:  Saxon Math One.  She screamed when I pulled her Meeting Book out of the box.  She is very excited about math, too.  She just wants to learn.

Elizabeth:
Reading:  This year, we'll be using the Veritas Press literature list for first grade and I'll be using the First Favorites Guide vol. 1 to start the year.  I love Veritas Press and the importance they place on the love of literature from a very early age.
Writing:  A Reason for Handwriting: Manuscript B.  She did the Manuscript A version of this last year and to say it was a wild success would be an understatement.
Math:  Saxon Math Two.  This is where the jumping up and down, acting like she's fainting and general silliness ensued.  This girl loves math.  I think I could buy her math curriculum for Christmas and she'd be so excited.  She was ready to sit down and start right then.  It was so funny!  We had to review the meeting book to see how it was different than the Math One meeting book.  Looks fun.  I'll peruse the teacher's manual tonight.

I also ordered the Saxon Math Manipulatives Kit.  Last year, in order to trim the budget, I skipped the manipulatives kit. I used Legos instead of counting blocks; purchased my own rulers, clocks, and pattern blocks.  I borrowed the geoboards and balance when I needed those.   This year, it's all in a nifty white Sterilite-style box on the homeschool shelf.  No more Legos. No more calling friends to borrow stuff.  It's all right there.  I'm going to like that.