Southeast Homeschool Expo

A few friends and I went to the Southeast Homeschool Expo this past weekend, and what a fun time! The exhibit hall was packed full of wonderful booths offering curriculum, used books, activities, gifts, and even massages! The workshops were inspiring and uplifting, even for someone who has been homeschooling for years!

My favorite speaker was Susan Wise Bauer with her mother, Jessie Wise, at a close second. I have read their book, The Well Trained Mind, for about 6 years now. It is a book that needs to be read and explored at least once a year. As a new homeschooling mom, it was a "roadmap" for my homeschool journey. It gave my teaching a purpose and a goal to reach. I will be the first to say that I did not and have not completed all the suggestions for each grade, but I feel like it has enabled me to walk with confidence in what I have done.

I hope to detail some of the knowledge I have gleaned from the workshops on my blog in the coming days. Today I need to start actually getting ready for the school days that are coming next Monday!

With tools in hand, off we go!

Socialization

This is a post from the Alabama Homeschooling Network that some of my friends wanted me to post here. I wrote it in response to the question: "What about socialization?"

"I think it is important that we are connected in relationship with other people. My children and I actively pursue opportunities to be with other people. I want my children to value friendships and know how to be a friend. This will help them not only in daily life, but also in work environments.

The 'socialization' that the general public is discussing is the lack of communication skills and relationship skills that come from being isolated or put in a closed environment. Surprise! Homeschooling families are not isolated any more! We are definitely not in a closed environment either! We are in your face, and our children will take over the world!

Now, we (homeschool families) need to look at the general public and ask, 'Why do you send your children to public school? Aren't you worried about their socialization?'"

Hopefully, this will somehow ease your mind about the "socialization" of homeschool children!

Getting Back in the Groove

This summer has been filled with activity, and it isn't over yet! These past few days I have been dealing with the blahs of everyday life. You know the "do I really have to wash the dishes? can't I just take a nap instead?" I am a little overwhelmed by the height of the weeds in my lawn and the many things that need to be organized, cleaned, and thrown away. I would LOVE to have a maid right now! I guess this is the part that explains how people feel when they say they need a vacation from their vacation.

Unfortunately, life is not always a vacation, and there are good things about getting back onto a regular schedule. The things I enjoy about being home are eating fresh, homemade food, using my own showerhead, and having a good internet connection!

We did have a fabulous time as a family in Nashville. Here are some highlights from our time. It will be a wonderful memory!

Zoos and Watershows

It really seems like we have been on a neverending vacation this summer. What fun!

This week we were able to visit the Nashville Zoo (a great benefit of zoo membership - get in FREE at other zoos/aquariums). Although it was extremely humid and hot, we loved the historic home and the zoo's story! The zoo also offered views of animals in a very natural environment, and it did not have the typical zoo smell.

We were also able to stay at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel for the first time. My mother said it best when she said it was like a cruise ship. Everything is right here, and my husband's only complaint is that it takes so long to get anywhere! There are beautiful gardens, waterfalls, shops, restaurants, pools, and walkways.

Tonight we were able to see a special watershow from a restaurant seat. The fountains would shoot over 50 foot in the air as music played from around the world. Absolutely gorgeous!

New World Record: Most Apple Fritters Eaten

We have had a wonderful week sharing with family. On Tuesday morning, we headed out towards Gatlinburg. Our first night we went to the Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge. What a great show! We saw horses, longhorn cattle, ostriches and pigs as well as enjoyed music and great food. Definitely worth the money! An extra special surprise for us was that we ran into more family!

On Wednesday we enjoyed time at the WonderWorks museum (an interactive science museum) and had a load full of apple fritters at the Apple Barn. Also, Santa was there eating lunch, and he came over and gave the girls bracelets.

Today, we visited the Guiness World Records Museum in downtown Gatlinburg. It was a great place since the girls and I had just read an Ivy+Bean book about world records. We saw some strange stuff and were able to learn about accomplishments and feats completed around the world!

Tonight we are heading to the Midnight Parade, and the girls are SO excited that they will be able to stay up so late!