It’s that time again! Every homeschool mom’s delight! Homeschool children are singing the song of “their People”……Yes! It’s homeschool convention time!
We plan for months, checking the vendor list, noting what we need to purchase (free shipping!!), what we want to look at, and of course, the gathering of the freebies! Our children get excited, they will be amongst children like them! I know that mine were excited for the book vendors, the hands on exhibits, and the most important….the young entrepreneurs booth.
I have to admit…I have been homeschool conventioning (is this a word?) since the denim jumper days! I still drag my “box on wheels”, which by the way, gets some strange looks! I carry a small spiral notebook that has my needs and wants…when I visit my curricula booth, I am welcomed with a big hug and and friendly, “Good to see you again this year!”
Every year I meet up with all my home school moms and we plan our yearly lunch….a walk downtown to our favorite Mexican restaurant! And this is with at least 9 children in tow! If you have never been to a convention….you are missing out! The smell of new text books, an entire booth dedicated to paper products! (YES) There is a booth where you can purchase the dreaded frogs and squids for dissection, and there are books galore for reading enjoyment! And this mom purchased two fabulous novels written in the 1800’s!
Oh! The freebies! Pens, pencils, water bottles, candy, lunch bags, and keychains…..of course some of the best are the free drawings for curriculum, i-Pads, and lap tops! From one home school mom to others…if you get a chance, visit a homeschool convention! It is day of fun and encouragement! PLUS….this can be considered a “professional day” for your records!
Next year….my plans are to attend 2 (yes..TWO) conventions! I may go into book overdose! Here’s to lazy summer days! Oh…who am I fooling! I don’t know about y’all, but this girl has some deep house cleaning to do!
Another school year is coming to a close. This year really flew by fast.
13 years I have been at this…my oldest will be finishing his Junior year.
I swear it was just yesterday he learned to write his name!
As I look over my dinning room table, well….maybe I should say “school table”, there are workbooks, text books, notebooks, and and tray of pencils that are without erasers, and all with broken lead; through this mess I can see the the amazement of learning.
Homeschooling is not as easy as some would think. You spend hours pouring over curriculum samples, deciding on what type of teaching and learning will work best with each of your little scholars. You plan lessons, field trips, experiments, and extracurricular activities. And, all the while you are also doing laundry, planning and cooking meals, cleaning house, shopping, doctor’s appointments, the many trips to the library, and any other task that needs to be done.
Not only is the table a mess, so is my house! Deep cleaning is usually put on “hold” until summer break. My therory on this is that I will only have my childrens’ attention for a moment, and that this house will wait, for these little minds need to be dust and cobweb free more then my home.
I have heard so many say, “How can I stand to be home all day with my kids?” or “I need my “Me Time”. For which I gladly reply, “These children were a gift from God to me, and my time with them is so short, I want their memories of education to be one of family, learning without stress, and having life skills.” My “me time” is at 5am….when the house is silent…
So, as these last few weeks are coming to a close, and I prepare for for the next year of learning….my heart is full. The outcomes of this year’s goals have been met, the children have grown, they have learned, they have aquired more life skills, but most of all….they are growing into loving, honest, and well adjusted young people.
Yes my life is super busy, and sometimes I look around at my house and just sigh….but this is my life, a life of continous chaos, but it is all mine….and I LOVE IT!
