Another great homeschool convention has passed

Wow! What a weekend we had!.  This year we volunteered on Thursday.  I am still not sure that was worth the money we saved.  It was also opening day in Cincinnati.  We saw many people dressed up in their reds attire while we were trying to find a parking garage that wasn't full.  We also saw many people who had their dogs with them.  I am still amazed at how many people had their dogs in children's strollers and dressed in reds outfits.  I found that amusing myself.  Mainly because I couldn't imagine taking either of my 60 pound labs.
  Anyhow,  the highlights of my convention this year were personally meeting Michelle Duggar and Marie Ripple.  You probablly know who Michelle Duggar is, but have you heard of Marie?  She is the creator of the awesome program All About Spelling.  It was recomended to use this hands on kinsthetic program for my children.  It has absolutely been a wonderful switch.  My children no longer dread spelling as they get to play with the letters and throw some words in jail!.  If you are looking for a spelling program check it out!
  I also got to hear Tim Hawkins.  He is a comedian.  We got front row seats to that. I was laughing so hard I actually had unstoppable tears at one point.  I wish that Joe and the kids were able to come down for that, but it didn't work.  Staying at the convention was a treat.  I am going to plan on doing that again next year.  The hall is just huge you really need the two days to get thru the vendor hall, especially when you are stopping to read what the curriculum has to offer.  I really enjoy going and checking out the different ways that each of the subjects are presented.  Each company has to have a different approach or else they don't stand out.  My favorite subjects are Science and Math.  My children share the same excitement with the science, but not the math. 
   Another shocker that we had was the price of food.  A personal pan pizza from Larosas was 7.00!!  That was really a surprise.  I knew that we would be paying more, but double?  Wow.  Next year I need to plan better snacks so that I am only eating out one time a day.  That would help keep the costs down.  Luckily I had been saving for a few months.  I will need to start now for next year. 
   Overall the convention is a great experience that I look forward to again.

The Midwest Homeschool Convention!!

In a few short days (3 to be exact) I will be driving to the next Midwest Homeschool Convention.  I look forward to this event every year.  It is a place to reflect on our current school year.  In that reflection time we look back at what we used this year and liked and what we didn't like.  I also spend a minute or two (okay really like a few hours each night the week before) looking over the vendor list and speaker lists.  I try to make a game plan to tackle this exciting, yet overwhelming event.  This year there are over 300 exhibitors!  There are many, many speakers talking on topics from homeschooling high school to what to do with the little ones and more. 
    My husband was able to rearrange his schedule this time so that I am able to spend the night in the city and make the most of the time the convention is going on.  This convention is about an hour from us.  I feel so blessed to be going again with my best fried.  She has been an awesome support to me over the past 5 years on the homeschooling front.  I am so grateful for her guidance and support.  The convention can be checked out at http://www.midwesthomeschoolconvention.com/. 

Spring is here! A new season of adventure...Maybe.

According to the calendar Spring was supposed to start on March 20, I believe.  As I sit her thinking about the events we have canceled this week due to the weather I wonder when it "officially" will come.
      As a little girl Spring was always my  favorite season of the year.  I love to hear the birds chirping for the first time again.  I love to see the grass slowly becoming green again.  You could hear the gentle warmer breezes brushing up against the trees as if they were saying "Good morning, it's time to wake up". 
      Right now our Spring is consisting of temperatures that are in the mid 40's.  If it is not the temperature that is keeping us in the house it is the rain.  The saying goes April showers bring May flowers.  However, were we supposed to build another arch?   We have planted our flowers in the house this year to start because it has been too cold to set them out.
   I know that Spring is right around the corner.  Waiting for it to blossom.  Waiting for the children to be able to explore outside in God's amazing world that he has created for us.   I do like winter and the blanket that God puts on the earth during this time of the sleeping season.  However I can't wait to get out and be in the warmer weather.  Spring where are you??