Yes, I'm Still Here

I have been a bit busy with birthday party planning, birthday celebrations, school, illness, etc., etc.  You know, the same thing all you other homeschool moms are busy with. 

I have a couple of children who are just about finished with all of their planned school-work for the year.  How can that be?!  I'm not complaining...just a bit shocked.  With the warm temperatures we've been having, it really feels like we're close to summer & I am so excited!

I've been checking out the 24/7 Homeschool Convention over at the Home Educating Family.  So far, I really am enjoying it and can see it as a very instrumental tool in my school planning and encouragement. It's free, so go on over and check it out.

Speaking of Homeschool Conventions, will you be attending one (or more) this year?  I was really hoping to make it to either the Midwest or Northeast convention, but it really doesn't look like that's going to happen.  However, with all of the information, blogs, virtual conventions, etc., I've been able to find on-line recently, I'm thinking I just may take a weekend in June to hunker down in a coffee shop near-by and get some encouragement and make some decisions.  

Hope your school-days are going well.  Let me know what you're up to!

The MidWest Homeschool Convention 2011

Above is a photograph (curtesy of my husband) of just a portion of the exhibit hall at the MidWest Homeschool Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio which took place March 31-April 2.  This was our first year attending this event and we definitely plan on going again next year.  There were amazing speakers and I could have spent a whole day in the exhibit hall.  My only complaint was that I was constantly choosing between awesome workshops and disecting curriculum!!

We were introduced to a fabulous new Math curriculum.  Mathletics (www.mathletics.com or http://blog.mathletics.com)  is a wonderful on-line tool where the kids play games, answer questions, parents can print workbooks, and keep track of their children's progress.  Though non-Christian, I enjoy the way they teach concepts and I love how my kids WANTED to play the games while we had the free trial.  Seriously - let them compete live against other kids from around the world to see who calculates equations the fastest and they were happy.  Me?  I was staring in disbelief.  Really thinking that's the route we will be taking with them this next year (maybe sooner).  Their spokesperson is known as "the Human Calculator" and is the world record holder in mental calculations.  My husband went to both of his workshops and made sure our children were there to see him.  They all thought it was the coolest thing!

I also discovered Learning Language Arts through Literature and Easy Grammar.  I will be using these books for our English next year.  I love how LLATL is much like FIAR as far as using one book all week to teach various English concepts.  Their grammar isn't strong enough for my liking, which is why I added Easy Grammar.  I really like the concept of teaching prepositions first and teaching important grammar skills without overkill.

The plan was not to buy anything on Friday (convention began Thurs, but that was our travel day) - just check out what we wanted.  So, Saturday was the day to buy...and that didn't happen until the last 45 minutes the hall was open!!  Frantic, but tons of fun!

I'm waving up at my hubby. I smile when I'm shopping....for books!

Meeting the Duggar family was a huge deal for my kids.  At first, I was not real comfortable with the excitement of "Duggar-sightings" but I realized that all kids will have heros and I am very grateful that theirs are godly.

On Sunday, we headed over to the Creation Museum.  I'll be posting a little of that in a few days.  All in all, a great weekend!!

MidWest Homeschool Convention

If any of you are looking for a homeschool convention that is worth going to, you may want to check out the MidWest Homeschool Convention taking place at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, OH
March 31-April 2, 2011.  In recent year's, the convention in our area has become exorbitantly priced with very few good speakers and fewer vendors.

Though we will have to pay gas and hotel, my husband and I think the MidWest Conference will be worth going to this year.  If you register by November 18, the cost for a FAMILY to attend all three days of the conference is ONLY $40!  There are over 300 workshops with such speakers as Ken Ham, Ted Tripp, Carol Barnier, Todd Wilson, etc.  Saturday night will cap off the weekend with a presentation by the Duggar family ($1 reservation for family).  A bonus is that the convention is not far away from the Creation Museum. 

For more info (there is a lot of it!), follow this link.  To find out the prices after the early-bird deadline, be sure to check out the registration pricing page.  The earlier you sign up, the more you save, but the prices are reasonable for the next month or so.  Be sure to book your hotel early as they will sell out early.