1 day down, 2 to go

Yesterday was a really good day! I went to 3 really great workshops, walked through the book fair a couple of times,saw old friends and last night I drank wine and got the chance to catch up with my good friend Rachael. She even had a roast in the crockpot for us!

This is my 3rd time attending the conference. I started coming when James was 2 years old. I know, I know, that's a little crazy acting since I wasn't planning any actual "school" until he was 3 or 4. But I am glad I came each year. I am not so overwhelmed with all the families coming and going or the book fair- it's bigger than the biggest Barnes and Noble I have ever been in- or the information in the workshops. I do feel kind of prepared to do this thing called home school.

I have noticed during my attendance each year that more African-American families are there. I like seeing that. I must admit, it looks like a sea of white. And this year I saw a Jewish family at the conference. I know because the two young boys were wearing their yarmulkes. Homeschooling has generally been a Christian movement but all teachings/workshops come from a Judeo-Christian view point. I hope that means that Christians and Jews who are compelled to homeschool can stand together in support of each other. AND....I saw Deaf families there. There are deaf kids with hearing parents attending the conference and a deaf couple with a little girl. I met them this year. I have seen a dear interpreter friend each year as she interprets for mom & dad and I introduced myself yesterday. They have one child too! Just like me! It's tough being the parent of an "only" at a homeschool gathering of any kind. I got a little teary yesterday with the wanting of another child. So many beautiful babies all around to see and hear. But I take a deep breath and keep it together. And today is a fresh start.

Workshops start at 11:00 am today but I will probably head out early to talk with the folks at the "Handwriting Without Tears" booth. Wanna hear what workshops I will be attending today??? SURE you do!

1. The Busy Homeschool Mom's Guide to Romance! (I know, right?)
2. The Joy of Learning with Your Young Child
3. Preschool & Kindergarten Education at Home, Part 1
4. Preschool & Kindergarten Education at Home, Part 2
5. Teaching Your Child to Read- Made Easy or Habit Training: Key to Maintaining Your Sanity

Of course, all of that is subject to change as there are about 6-7 workshops to choose from for each session. The above-listed seem to be the best fit for me and what I am interested in learning.

See you later!

I'm here!

Me, Sandra, and Karla

I just arrived at the annual NCHE Conference & book fair in Winston-Salem. I've been here 30 minutes and I have already scoped out the Math U See booth at the book fair AND ran into two moms that took a mentoring class with me last Fall! We are all new homeschool moms. And we were all checking out the Writing Without Tears booth. :)
I am attending my first workshop. Its called "Evaluation: How to know what your child really knows" presented by Susan Chrisman.
I am blogging from my phone for the very first time. So....please disregard any crazy spelling & grammar as the spellcheck on this thing is possessed.

Me at Math U See booth

North Carolina Home Educators Conference

 I wanted to take the time to make a plug for the North Carolina Home Educators Conference that will be held May 24-26 (Memorial Day weekend) in Winston-Salem, NC. Click here for a link to their website.

Every year they host a AMAZING conference. I have attended the last 2 years and this year will be my third. Early bird registration is open now and, for members, the cost is $50 and the deadline is April 20, 2012. I recommend paying the extra $3 for the speaker handout booklet. I love that thing! I can take notes in it and have a little information from all the various workshops over the course of the 3 days. During the conference, they also sell audio of ALL the workshops. You can dowload them as an MP3 file or buy a CD. They cater to all learning styles. ;)

The first year I attended I went alone. As I waited in line for my registration packet, I couldn't believe all the FAMILIES that were there together. Moms and Dads and kids of all ages- newborns to graduating students. All are welcome. And this year the conference is hosting their first ever Children's Conference for children ages 5-12. The older students normally have all sorts of activities like a dance, talent show, they volunteer at the conference and then there is a graduation ceremony on the last day.

Some readers/friends who are not currently homeschoolers have contacted me about homeschooling. They shared with me that they were considering it as a viable option for their family. This is a great place to learn so much about homeschooling. There are workshops on topics such as the state laws that apply to homeschooling, preschoolers, middle schoolers, high schoolers, preparing for college, specific learning challenges, homeschooling a large family, teaching writing or math and homeschool athletics. Here in North Carolina, there is a football league, basketball for girls and boys, volleyball, cross country, baseball, tennis and other sports coming soon due to demand. And if you aren't in North Carolina, find out what is available in your state. If you Google your state and the words "home educators" you are bound to get a hit on something useful. For example, I googled "Virginia home educators" and I got a hit for the Home Educators Association of Virginia.

Good Luck and hope to see you at the NCHE Conference in May.