The night before the big day I had the boys pack their backpacks with all the things that a boy cannot live without for a day and with all the things he just may want to have. I always love to see what they come up with.
Gideon:(6 years old) 2 Calvin Hobbes Books (a definite MUST!), colored pencils, socks (they finally made it on the list), mini lantern, 2 blankets, scarf, coloring books.
Tanner: (8 years old) 2 coloring books, gloves, jeans, army men, blanket, a few chocolates (boy after my own heart.
I had some preparations to do as well. I made a list of all the vendors I wanted to see and a list of what I wanted to check out at their booth OR what I wanted to buy. That way I didn't get sidetracked with all the amazing things that I knew would be there. My favorite homeschool resource for supplies and curriculum is Rainbow Resource Center They are a great place to stock up so I printed off my wishlist from their website and brought that with me to their booth. Just let me say it does pay to be organized. I packed my bag with all my necessities too which were not nearly as cute as the boys, but they kept me through the day.
In the morning Gideon hopped out of bed (and when I say hop I actually mean hop)he was dressed and teeth brushed before his brother even woke up. *Awesome* Tanner was a little more sad to wake up that early but he managed fine and they trooped out to the van with their backpacks and blankets to cozy up with on the drive. It was a beautiful morning. I will fast forward from here...I dropped them off then headed back to town arriving finally at my destination and meeting up with a friend and I let out a sigh as one of the wait staff poured me a cup of steaming coffee. I had arrived.
The keynote speaker was wonderfully funny, inspiring, encouraging and was just what I needed. I will give a little backup on her. She has seven kids and homeschooled them all. So for 27 years she says she struggled with the ideal of how she wanted to homeschool and how she actually get's it done. She named the ideal: Project Paula.
Project Paula is the Mom who gets it done with all the sparkle, glitter, erupting volcanoes, art projects, reenactments of battles all while having a great time with perfectly dressed and well mannered kids. Everyone just seems to have a great time with Project Paula.
Alas she realizes she is Bookworm Betty who loves books and hates glitter but would very much like to have a bit more FUN and do a bit more projects like Paula.
So she had 4 main points that I will share:
1. Relax
2. Take time to plan
3. Set big goals (and all the other projects and ideals can fall in as they are able)
4. Rest in who you are and in your season of life.
*This is a biggie for those with young children or multiple children. Maybe a curriculum choice that is your ideal is not quite right for that season of your life. Perhaps all the experiments and projects are a little overwhelming when you have a toddler and a newborn. So make choices based on what fits your ability now.
She also shared about how she loved working at a little museum but she realized it wasn't the right timing and it won't be for awhile. So she said it is a hope deffered. She can look forward to that later on.
So it made me think how many of us have things we would like to take on or interests we would like to pursue? But the time is simply not right as we give into the most wonderful adventure at hand: schooling and raising our children.
And what an adventure it is!
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