I have been looking forward to this school year now that Amelia is 4 years old and is ready and excited for some more formal schooling. Four year olds tend to have developed the fine motor skills needed for writing and coloring and a greater attention span to participate in teacher (mom) directed learning experiences. I ordered several curriculum components and they are finally here!!!
Funshine Express is a theme based preschool program that comes with lesson plans, craft kits and learning center games. The first theme is Leaves and Trees. It incorporates science, social studies, art, music, math and early literacy. We will begin this the first week of September.
Handwriting Without Tears is a multi-sensory handwriting curriculum that is widely used throughout the country and has won many awards. I will be using it in conjunction with our phonics lessons. Some of the materials include a magnetic Stamp 'n' See Screen, a slate chalkboard, wooden pieces (big line, little line, big curve, little curve) to build letters, Roll-a-Dough set to make letters with playdough, and a really neat workbook designed to be used with a crayon. She will begin with a pencil in Kindergarten for the next level. If you are interested look it up online for better pictures of the materials http://www.hwtears.com/.
For letter sounds/phonics I will be following the Montessori approach introducing letter sounds through the use of sandpaper letters, beginning sound tubs(below), initial consonant picture cards. As she learns the letter sounds we will begin learning how to sound out CVC words (Consonant-vowel-Consonant) such as cat, pig, hat etc...sight words, blends and digraphs will come next. Of course, this will not all be during her Pre-K year. But that is the neat thing about homeschooling. There is no pressure to go at a certain pace. We can go as fast or slow as she needs providing the right amount of challenge.
I also wanted to do a Bible curriculum with the kids. I know what I am going to use for the elementary years. However, I think this one is perfect for preschool. It has a CD with great songs, puppets (not shown below), activity sheets for Amelia, verses to memorize, flannel board stories etc...
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT YEAR HOMESCHOOLING!!! 
Garage Sale
Fourth of July
Zoo
New Harley Motorcycle
Sprinklers