Or: Cornerstone 2009 trip wrap up.
Or: How I justify owning a pop-up camper.
How does one survive 4 days of an outdoor music festival at the end of June with 2 small children? Well, I'm still not sure, but I know it was a lot easier with my new pop up camper. Let me explain!
[Why am I boring all of you with this? Because I posted vacation related things back in January after returning from our giant cruise trip and doing so actually helped me remember and pack better for this trip! So, yes, I'm using the blogosphere for my own personal gain. Take that, all you well intentioned bloggers!]
1. When it was bedtime, we went to bed. This involved actual beds. Previous camping trips involved air mattresses. While an air mattress is far more comfortable than actually sleeping on the ground, it presented a few challenges. The primary challenge was for my daughter (currently 6) who rolled off the air mattress. Every night. She wouldn't notice until she was up against the wall of the tent becoming increasingly damp and cold from the dew on the outside. Then: crabbiness. So, using an actual bed to sleep on was awesome. No rolling off problems. Plus, not laying on the ground is great.
2. The day we packed up and headed home, it was raining. Huge amounts of rain. Tons of things we owned were soaked through. We packed all that on top of the linoleum floor of the camper. Viola! The car stays dry. Muddy, but dry.
3. I can stand up at full height inside the camper. It sounds simple, but try hunching over for everything from getting dressed to hiding from the rain. The fun ends before the first day closes.
4. Did I mention the rain? No? Well, it rained. Almost all day on Saturday. We played in the camper. And we were dry! Until we had to pack the camper up. Then we were all damp.
5. Cooking. It's so much easier in the camper. The stove is level. It's easy to turn on. It's much like home, only using 2 burners instead of one. Marc even used the RVQue (yes, folks, a grill that attaches to the side of the camper and runs of the same propane tank powering the stove top).... where was I? Oh, yes. Marc used the RVQue to make a dazzlingly delicious concoction out of leftover spaghetti noodles, cheese, garlic, and eggs. I'm guessing it was awesome, since I only got a bite or two. The family ate the rest. I had to make do with leftover taco fixings.
6. We were able to pack most of our stuff into the camper itself. This means that the car was not packed to overflow. This was very refreshing.
7. We had room for 3 coolers! Oh, the luxury. A food cooler, a drink cooler, and the giant water cooler. Did you know it's tons cheaper in the long run to just buy a large water cooler? Then you can refill that one bottle of water. And when it's empty, you can pack stuff into it. And of course it's empty - why move water and risk it sploshing over everything? Yes. I'm using "sploshing." Accept, move on.
Okay... so that wasn't 1,000 reasons. But it was seven, and seven darned good ones from where I sit. Now, on to the things to remember in the future.
1. DO NOT trust the straps on the bike rack. They fail. Especially at 65 mph on dark roads. The boy's CoPilot bike seat will never be the same.
2. When the lights on the trailer aren't working, first and foremost check to make sure the car engine is on to supply them power. Saves a lot of "stopped on the side of a dark highway trying to fix something that isn't broken" stress.
3. If a State Trooper stops to ask if you need help (because you're stopped on the side of a dark highway), be polite. Even if the trooper didn't come along until 15 minutes after you could have used his headlights to try to solve the bike rack strap failure problem (while parked on the side of a dark road).
4. Consider an anti anxiety medication for the trip home. Especially if the trip home is in the dark.
5. Sleeping bags are worth the space. Nights are colder than you'd think. But at this point, we really only need 2.
6. If you're going to go to all the trouble of packing the glass cleaner for the windshield, don't bury the paper towels deep inside the camper.
7. Personal note: The camper will open up just enough to dry out and empty of stuff while parked sideways in the garage. Leaves no room for the car, but that's what the street is for.
So... I think that's the limit on my notes regarding this trip. I could say a lot more about how many things I didn't do, or the two days I napped, or the day I didn't eat/drink enough and felt terrible, but I'm bored now and should consider collapsing the camper so the car will fit in the garage again.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Summer is here and I'm defiantly not turning on my air conditioner.
It's June. Officially. No, really, check your calendar. It's true. June has finally arrived. Somehow, when I wasn't paying attention, the first five months of the year went by. Here we are, green plants and long summer days when my kids want to be outside so they can play loudly and the dog wants to be inside to lay on the cool marble floor.
As an aside, we don't have much marble. Just a little at the front entry door and in front of the fireplace. But the dog takes advantage.
I find it amazing the number of things I had forgotten over time. Living with a puppy has reminded me of all the things I hate about puppies. Sure, Mr. Eko is cute and all. He even has a trendy name (my daughter will explain that his full name 'Mr. Eko Runner Barker' is too long for everyday use). But he's obsessed with eating shoes and bits of plastic. And he suddenly becomes deaf at all the right (wrong?) moments. I've come to dread walking into a room for fear of what Eko has done to the contents since I last walked through. I'm trying to focus on the potential: Eko will outgrow some of his problems, he will learn to come when I call him, he will eventually be that mature awesome dog I'd like to have. But as time goes on, I believe that at least some of that potential involves some self delusion. On the other hand, what is quite clear is the deep emotional bond my children - especially my 18 month old son - have developed with this animal. I think Xavier would be just as happy snuggling with the dog in the early morning hours as he is snuggling with me. Oooooooh. Maybe I should try that. Then I could get more sleep.
In the same vein of things that I've forgotten but been forced to remember: the pre talking stage of childhood. I love my kids and I can appreciate all the phases they grow through. During the pretalking phase they laugh and gurgle, they spend huge amounts of time mastering physical skills, they sleep more. But when they start talking they can start telling me what they're problem is. No more guess work, no more 20 questions hoping for a response. Arianna, now 6, was a late talker. She just didn't have any words to say until she had them all. She was one of those kids who started talking in full sentences. But for that, we had to endure a longer than average period of nontalking. Xavier is demonstrating the same pattern, though in his own personal way. He will say a word for a week or two, then drop it completely from his working vocabulary. My current favorite is "google." No, really. Xavier says "google." He uses it to mean any form of writing.
Do you see what happened there? I got so amused by Xavier's use of "google" that I momentarily forgot how frustrated I am because when he walks up to me crying I have to guess the reason behind his tears. And that's the story of it all, isn't it? The bright shiny bits distract us from the dark, brooding, unhappy parts. Not always, of course. Given the depth and scope that those unhappy parts can take it's not reasonable to always be distracted. But I think it happens more often than we realize.
I offer up the puppy as evidence.
As an aside, we don't have much marble. Just a little at the front entry door and in front of the fireplace. But the dog takes advantage.
I find it amazing the number of things I had forgotten over time. Living with a puppy has reminded me of all the things I hate about puppies. Sure, Mr. Eko is cute and all. He even has a trendy name (my daughter will explain that his full name 'Mr. Eko Runner Barker' is too long for everyday use). But he's obsessed with eating shoes and bits of plastic. And he suddenly becomes deaf at all the right (wrong?) moments. I've come to dread walking into a room for fear of what Eko has done to the contents since I last walked through. I'm trying to focus on the potential: Eko will outgrow some of his problems, he will learn to come when I call him, he will eventually be that mature awesome dog I'd like to have. But as time goes on, I believe that at least some of that potential involves some self delusion. On the other hand, what is quite clear is the deep emotional bond my children - especially my 18 month old son - have developed with this animal. I think Xavier would be just as happy snuggling with the dog in the early morning hours as he is snuggling with me. Oooooooh. Maybe I should try that. Then I could get more sleep.
In the same vein of things that I've forgotten but been forced to remember: the pre talking stage of childhood. I love my kids and I can appreciate all the phases they grow through. During the pretalking phase they laugh and gurgle, they spend huge amounts of time mastering physical skills, they sleep more. But when they start talking they can start telling me what they're problem is. No more guess work, no more 20 questions hoping for a response. Arianna, now 6, was a late talker. She just didn't have any words to say until she had them all. She was one of those kids who started talking in full sentences. But for that, we had to endure a longer than average period of nontalking. Xavier is demonstrating the same pattern, though in his own personal way. He will say a word for a week or two, then drop it completely from his working vocabulary. My current favorite is "google." No, really. Xavier says "google." He uses it to mean any form of writing.
Do you see what happened there? I got so amused by Xavier's use of "google" that I momentarily forgot how frustrated I am because when he walks up to me crying I have to guess the reason behind his tears. And that's the story of it all, isn't it? The bright shiny bits distract us from the dark, brooding, unhappy parts. Not always, of course. Given the depth and scope that those unhappy parts can take it's not reasonable to always be distracted. But I think it happens more often than we realize.
I offer up the puppy as evidence.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Because every little bit makes a difference.
I admit, I use my blog, email, and twitter to spout of whatever is in my head. Imagine! I'm like all those other Internet ranters out there!
I want to set the random rants aside, though. For this post. Today I got a delivery from FedEx from Compassion International. It's almost time for Compassion Sunday and I'm trying to get myself ready. I'm starting with this blog post. OK, I started by reading through everything in the box. I'm progressing with this blog post.
Compassion International, in a nutshell, is working towards ending the cycle of poverty and making a better world. It's a Christian organization that individualizes and personalizes the problems of poverty. Here's some important information about them, bullet point style (because it's important, but kind of 'business like' information):
-Compassion International is a child development ministry, so the thrust of their efforts lies in helping children get an education, learn a trade, grow spiritually. Children may receive food and clothing through the ministry, or even something as simple and profound as clean water.
-Compassion International was founded in 1952 after seeing a need in 35 orphaned children in South Korea.
-Compassion has over a million registered children in the ministry, almost 5,000 development centers, and works in 25 countries/four continents.
-83.1% of your donation goes to the children's ministry, with less than 20% used in administration and fundraising efforts.
-Compassion International is in good standing with the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and more.
Those facts are real and important to know. But here's where I come from in this: Compassion International is changing the world one child at a time, and I'm helping them because I sponsor a boy named Carlos from Colombia, South America.
I became Carlos' sponsor in 2003, the year my first child was born. Carlos was 10. He lives with his mother and stepmother, who are sometimes employed. This information, and basic information such as grade level and general health are provided by Compassion International. Carlos also loves to play soccer, works hard in school to be one of the best students in class, and attends Church regularly. This information - and more - I've learned through years of exchanging letters with him. He writes me in Spanish, his local coordinator sends it to the Compassion International translation center, who send it to me with and English translation. My letters go through a reverse process. When he was younger, I sent him bookmarks, stickers, coloring pages, etc with my letters. He's too old for that now and will be graduating from the program in just a few years. But he's touched my heart. Every time a letter comes I shift it to the bottom of my 'daily work pile' so I can open it last and brighten up everything. He writes short but sincere notes - this personal connection I have with him is rewarding beyond measure.
And Carlos is just one in the million children Compassion is working for and with. My husband currently sponsors a girl in Ethiopia - I love reading the letters he receives, too, and I marvel at the beauty of her penmanship. I received 6 children's packets for Compassion Sunday, six children who are enrolled in the program but don't have an assigned sponsor. Six different countries, ranging in ages, boys and girls.
I'm almost tempted to feel overwhelmed by the need. In addition to the children who don't have sponsors, Compassion International accepts donations to medical relief, food crisis, clean water, disaster relief, malaria intervention, leadership development, and more. But as tempted as I may be, I don't feel overwhelmed because I know help is being given. And I can be a small part of that - I am a small part of it not just by donating my money but by building a personal relationship with a boy I never would have met otherwise.
I suppose I've gotten a bit preachy. I feel passionate about the work Compassion International does and that lends itself to a certain tone. I'm not apologizing, though, because I believe in the whole thing and I'm unabashedly encouraging everyone else to believe in it, too.
Here's the financial bottom line: Compassion International asks for a $32 commitment once a month to sponsor a child. I could lay the math out for you, say something lame about how little it is every day. But in this economy I understand that $32 a month can be a pretty huge commitment. For those people who can't afford that but still want to give, one time donations of any kind are welcome for all those other programs Compassion International is working through.
For more information you can email me and we can chat further. I could say more, but I'm trying to reign myself in. If you feel moved and ready to jump right in, I've got six child packets here on my desk with children who need sponsors. You can also get all the info you need at compassion.com
I'm not telling you to go and sign up, help us change the world. But I am saying that I hope you think about it. Because I think it's worth it.
That's all I've got for now. Must hit bed soon so I can drag myself up for the Friends of Kirkwood Library sale in the morning. ;)
I want to set the random rants aside, though. For this post. Today I got a delivery from FedEx from Compassion International. It's almost time for Compassion Sunday and I'm trying to get myself ready. I'm starting with this blog post. OK, I started by reading through everything in the box. I'm progressing with this blog post.
Compassion International, in a nutshell, is working towards ending the cycle of poverty and making a better world. It's a Christian organization that individualizes and personalizes the problems of poverty. Here's some important information about them, bullet point style (because it's important, but kind of 'business like' information):
-Compassion International is a child development ministry, so the thrust of their efforts lies in helping children get an education, learn a trade, grow spiritually. Children may receive food and clothing through the ministry, or even something as simple and profound as clean water.
-Compassion International was founded in 1952 after seeing a need in 35 orphaned children in South Korea.
-Compassion has over a million registered children in the ministry, almost 5,000 development centers, and works in 25 countries/four continents.
-83.1% of your donation goes to the children's ministry, with less than 20% used in administration and fundraising efforts.
-Compassion International is in good standing with the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and more.
Those facts are real and important to know. But here's where I come from in this: Compassion International is changing the world one child at a time, and I'm helping them because I sponsor a boy named Carlos from Colombia, South America.
I became Carlos' sponsor in 2003, the year my first child was born. Carlos was 10. He lives with his mother and stepmother, who are sometimes employed. This information, and basic information such as grade level and general health are provided by Compassion International. Carlos also loves to play soccer, works hard in school to be one of the best students in class, and attends Church regularly. This information - and more - I've learned through years of exchanging letters with him. He writes me in Spanish, his local coordinator sends it to the Compassion International translation center, who send it to me with and English translation. My letters go through a reverse process. When he was younger, I sent him bookmarks, stickers, coloring pages, etc with my letters. He's too old for that now and will be graduating from the program in just a few years. But he's touched my heart. Every time a letter comes I shift it to the bottom of my 'daily work pile' so I can open it last and brighten up everything. He writes short but sincere notes - this personal connection I have with him is rewarding beyond measure.
And Carlos is just one in the million children Compassion is working for and with. My husband currently sponsors a girl in Ethiopia - I love reading the letters he receives, too, and I marvel at the beauty of her penmanship. I received 6 children's packets for Compassion Sunday, six children who are enrolled in the program but don't have an assigned sponsor. Six different countries, ranging in ages, boys and girls.
I'm almost tempted to feel overwhelmed by the need. In addition to the children who don't have sponsors, Compassion International accepts donations to medical relief, food crisis, clean water, disaster relief, malaria intervention, leadership development, and more. But as tempted as I may be, I don't feel overwhelmed because I know help is being given. And I can be a small part of that - I am a small part of it not just by donating my money but by building a personal relationship with a boy I never would have met otherwise.
I suppose I've gotten a bit preachy. I feel passionate about the work Compassion International does and that lends itself to a certain tone. I'm not apologizing, though, because I believe in the whole thing and I'm unabashedly encouraging everyone else to believe in it, too.
Here's the financial bottom line: Compassion International asks for a $32 commitment once a month to sponsor a child. I could lay the math out for you, say something lame about how little it is every day. But in this economy I understand that $32 a month can be a pretty huge commitment. For those people who can't afford that but still want to give, one time donations of any kind are welcome for all those other programs Compassion International is working through.
For more information you can email me and we can chat further. I could say more, but I'm trying to reign myself in. If you feel moved and ready to jump right in, I've got six child packets here on my desk with children who need sponsors. You can also get all the info you need at compassion.com
I'm not telling you to go and sign up, help us change the world. But I am saying that I hope you think about it. Because I think it's worth it.
That's all I've got for now. Must hit bed soon so I can drag myself up for the Friends of Kirkwood Library sale in the morning. ;)
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Get your calender out, it's time to fill it up.
There a many things coming up - Spring is here and everyone seems anxious to get the party going. Here are some of the things from my calender:
April 24-26
World War II Weekend, Jefferson Barracks
Visitors are welcome to stroll through the authentic Allied and Axis powers camps before they stroll over to the main cantonment field to watch a battle reenactment. Military vehicles and other memorabilia will be on display before and after the battles. Time for the battles are 10:00 am and 2:00 pm on Saturday and Noon on Sunday. Camps will open at 9:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday and close at 5:00 p.m. Admission and parking is free for this exciting and fun event.
WorldWarIIWeekend
Kirkwood Friends of the Library Sale
Fiction and Non-Fiction Hardcover and Paperback Plus CDs, DVDs, tapes
Sale will include Special Books: old/rare/first editions!
April 22 to 26, 2009
Wednesday, 1pm to 9pm
$5 entry fee, Wednesday only
Thursday, Friday, 9am to 8pm
Saturday 9am to 5pm
Sunday 11am to 5pm
Sunday is Bag Day - a bag of books for $5!
Payment by cash or check
For further information please call the Friends' office at 314-821-5770, ext. 23.
New location - 3614 S. Lindbergh Blvd., site of the former CompUSA store just south of Watson Rd.
Greater St. Louis Book Fair
Schedule
Thursday April 23rd 4pm - 10pm
Auction 7:30 pm
Friday April 24th 10am - 9:30pm
Saturday April 25th 10am - 9:30pm
Sunday April 26th (Half-Price Day) 11am - 6pm
Admission
$10 Admission for Opening Night
FREE ADMISSION All Other Days
April 25
J Burroughs Potpourri Sale 7:30am - 1:30pm
Potpourri is the annual 500-family garage sale sponsored by the Parents Council for the greater St. Louis community. There is no admission fee.
April 29-May 2
Storytelling Festival, multiple locations, main events at Missouri Botanical Garden
For detailed schedule stlstorytellingfestival.org
Weekends, May 16 - June 7
St. Louis Renaissance Festival
Saturdays and Sundays, May 15 - June 7, 2009, including Memorial Day Student Day, Friday May 15th
Gates open 10am -6pm.Student Day: hours 9:00am -2:30pm.
Tickets start at $13.00 for adults, $8.00 12 and under, 5 and under are free
Full ticket information and schedule can be found at stlrenfaire.com
May 16
Bark in the Park - Annual Fundraiser for the Missouri Humane Society at Forest Park
Humane Society of Missouri Bark in the Park
May 23-25
St. Louis Greek Festival held at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
St. Louis Greek Festival
I am in serious doubt that we'll make all of these, but at least I have a working list going and can pick and choose among it all. Does anyone have any comments about these events? Good or bad. Hard to believe it's festival time already!
April 24-26
World War II Weekend, Jefferson Barracks
Visitors are welcome to stroll through the authentic Allied and Axis powers camps before they stroll over to the main cantonment field to watch a battle reenactment. Military vehicles and other memorabilia will be on display before and after the battles. Time for the battles are 10:00 am and 2:00 pm on Saturday and Noon on Sunday. Camps will open at 9:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday and close at 5:00 p.m. Admission and parking is free for this exciting and fun event.
WorldWarIIWeekend
Kirkwood Friends of the Library Sale
Fiction and Non-Fiction Hardcover and Paperback Plus CDs, DVDs, tapes
Sale will include Special Books: old/rare/first editions!
April 22 to 26, 2009
Wednesday, 1pm to 9pm
$5 entry fee, Wednesday only
Thursday, Friday, 9am to 8pm
Saturday 9am to 5pm
Sunday 11am to 5pm
Sunday is Bag Day - a bag of books for $5!
Payment by cash or check
For further information please call the Friends' office at 314-821-5770, ext. 23.
New location - 3614 S. Lindbergh Blvd., site of the former CompUSA store just south of Watson Rd.
Greater St. Louis Book Fair
Schedule
Thursday April 23rd 4pm - 10pm
Auction 7:30 pm
Friday April 24th 10am - 9:30pm
Saturday April 25th 10am - 9:30pm
Sunday April 26th (Half-Price Day) 11am - 6pm
Admission
$10 Admission for Opening Night
FREE ADMISSION All Other Days
April 25
J Burroughs Potpourri Sale 7:30am - 1:30pm
Potpourri is the annual 500-family garage sale sponsored by the Parents Council for the greater St. Louis community. There is no admission fee.
April 29-May 2
Storytelling Festival, multiple locations, main events at Missouri Botanical Garden
For detailed schedule stlstorytellingfestival.org
Weekends, May 16 - June 7
St. Louis Renaissance Festival
Saturdays and Sundays, May 15 - June 7, 2009, including Memorial Day Student Day, Friday May 15th
Gates open 10am -6pm.Student Day: hours 9:00am -2:30pm.
Tickets start at $13.00 for adults, $8.00 12 and under, 5 and under are free
Full ticket information and schedule can be found at stlrenfaire.com
May 16
Bark in the Park - Annual Fundraiser for the Missouri Humane Society at Forest Park
Humane Society of Missouri Bark in the Park
May 23-25
St. Louis Greek Festival held at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
St. Louis Greek Festival
I am in serious doubt that we'll make all of these, but at least I have a working list going and can pick and choose among it all. Does anyone have any comments about these events? Good or bad. Hard to believe it's festival time already!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
If clutter reflects a disorganized mind, is a disorganized mind the cause of clutter? Discuss.
There are so many things I want to do that many end up discarded before they're even really considered. Where to expend my energy? Where to just accept? My mind is bigger than my energy source. This is not a problem I remember having before, generally speaking. But I didn't have two kids tailing me and pressing their needs, either. So I guess it's all understandable. Still, though, there are all those things that don't get started or get started and then dropped (hmmm... blogging, maybe?).
I need to get organized, get it together, make some lists and check them thrice, make some progress on this chaos of my life. This is necessity! Hence the feeling of rebellion that washes over me in waves when I contemplate organizing myself. Sometimes I find that grumpy irritated teenager still hiding out in my brain and I listen to her. When it comes to organization I've been keeping her counsel.
I draw the line! This ends here!
Sounds good, doesn't it?
In my quest for organization I find myself longing for something simple, an easy answer. I am pretty well organized when it comes to our home school stuff thanks to 1. Necessity, 2. fear of losing my mind (and our place in our studies) and 3. the free planner over at Home School, Inc. I find it difficult to translate the organizational success to the rest of my daily life. I get a good start, stick to it for a week or so, then fall off the organization wagon. How do I keep with it? How do I stay focused on my goals and plans for the day? Not surprisingly, will power is problematic. I don't have a lot of it. I feel like I need to really need to get on a schedule - or my houseplants might just keep dieing for lack of water.
I need to get organized, get it together, make some lists and check them thrice, make some progress on this chaos of my life. This is necessity! Hence the feeling of rebellion that washes over me in waves when I contemplate organizing myself. Sometimes I find that grumpy irritated teenager still hiding out in my brain and I listen to her. When it comes to organization I've been keeping her counsel.
I draw the line! This ends here!
Sounds good, doesn't it?
In my quest for organization I find myself longing for something simple, an easy answer. I am pretty well organized when it comes to our home school stuff thanks to 1. Necessity, 2. fear of losing my mind (and our place in our studies) and 3. the free planner over at Home School, Inc. I find it difficult to translate the organizational success to the rest of my daily life. I get a good start, stick to it for a week or so, then fall off the organization wagon. How do I keep with it? How do I stay focused on my goals and plans for the day? Not surprisingly, will power is problematic. I don't have a lot of it. I feel like I need to really need to get on a schedule - or my houseplants might just keep dieing for lack of water.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Ta Da! Home Educator's Expo!
2009 Greater St. Louis Home Educator's Expo, March 26 - 28
Nope, I cannot take any credit for having such a cool thing in our area. But I have attended twice before and found it beneficial both times. The first year I went only to the "Beginner Homeschool" seminar on Thursday night, which was free to attend. The exhibitor hall was open and free to the public but less than half of the exhibitors were set up and ready to go. The second trip I spent all of one day there, attending seminars on products, styles, and resources for homeschooling. The exhibitor hall was open and packed full. We found a lot of great resources for supplies and ideas. [I don't mean to give the impression that they're doing nothing but selling stuff. There are also some great learning opportunities in the seminars. If you're in a seminar and feel like all your getting is a sales pitch, try a different speaker.] Plus, Marc got a cool sticker that said "My wife rocks."
The cost for two days of the seminar is $10 per person or $20 per couple in advance. It's double at the door. The price gets you into all the seminars and the exhibitor's hall. There is also a 'Children's Expo' for kids 5-12 (first kid is $30 for two days, additional kids from the same family are $25) and they'll even feed the kids lunch for a bit extra. They are still offering the free Thursday night seminar for beginner homeschoolers and at that time the exhibit hall will be free and open to the public.
Online registration has started and ends March 22 through PayPal. You can also print registration forms and send them via mail. If you register by Feb 28, you can get into the raffle for a $100 to spend in the exhibitor's hall.
For more information, check them out at 2009 Greater St. Louis Home Educator's Expo
Nope, I cannot take any credit for having such a cool thing in our area. But I have attended twice before and found it beneficial both times. The first year I went only to the "Beginner Homeschool" seminar on Thursday night, which was free to attend. The exhibitor hall was open and free to the public but less than half of the exhibitors were set up and ready to go. The second trip I spent all of one day there, attending seminars on products, styles, and resources for homeschooling. The exhibitor hall was open and packed full. We found a lot of great resources for supplies and ideas. [I don't mean to give the impression that they're doing nothing but selling stuff. There are also some great learning opportunities in the seminars. If you're in a seminar and feel like all your getting is a sales pitch, try a different speaker.] Plus, Marc got a cool sticker that said "My wife rocks."
The cost for two days of the seminar is $10 per person or $20 per couple in advance. It's double at the door. The price gets you into all the seminars and the exhibitor's hall. There is also a 'Children's Expo' for kids 5-12 (first kid is $30 for two days, additional kids from the same family are $25) and they'll even feed the kids lunch for a bit extra. They are still offering the free Thursday night seminar for beginner homeschoolers and at that time the exhibit hall will be free and open to the public.
Online registration has started and ends March 22 through PayPal. You can also print registration forms and send them via mail. If you register by Feb 28, you can get into the raffle for a $100 to spend in the exhibitor's hall.
For more information, check them out at 2009 Greater St. Louis Home Educator's Expo
Extracurricular really means "Costs more money"
I admit it: I do not wake up well. I don't like anything that wakes me up, human, mechanical, or animal. In the last year as we adjusted to having a second child, Arianna usually wandered into the bedroom and shook Dad awake. Then I could sleep in a bit longer. But as Xavier weaned and then shifted to sleeping through the night (Thank God!) I've gone back on morning duty. I found myself waking in the morning grumpy and groggy, blinking at Ari until my brain slowly kicked in. Arianna often got to see that grumpiness. So I decided to make a change and start waking up before the kids. Nothing too dramatic, mind. No need to be out of bed, showered, coffee'd and finished with morning email (who needs a newspaper?). I just wanted to be already awake before Ari came in to get me up. It went well for a few weeks. Then in a move of amazing perversity, Arianna changed her personal schedule and started waking up earlier. Now we're all up earlier and I'm no less grumpy. Maybe if I fall asleep thinking happy thoughts I'll wake up more pleasantly. I'm afraid to shift my schedule again.
On to more relevant issues...
Summer camps are gearing up! Yep, you heard me, summer camp. I'm not thinking of the proverbial "out to the country, sleep under the stars" camp. I'm still not ready to be separated that way from my 5 year old. But activity camps in and around town. So far, we've received the information for COCA and the Science Center. I've ruled out COCA because they're too expensive for me. The Science Center is sitting on my desk and waiting.
I have no experience with this camp business. Until now, Arianna has been too young to participate in all the fun stuff. But turning 6 before summer begins opens a whole host of opportunity for her. Cost is definitely a limiting factor but I'm also interested in quality camps. I don't want to send her off to glorified babysitting - I can get that for free. I want her to attend something she finds interesting personally. I also need something with a reasonable schedule we can fit into our lives; I do not want to rearrange our lives for a week or two of camp.
Suggestions? Comments? I'm open to other experiences. So far, I know that I won't go to the Sublette YMCA due to their lack of organization and over crowding (two friends had problems with their kids). COCA is out of my budget. The Craft Alliance is pretty cool but don't offer classes that she would be interested in taking. [I'm drooling over their floor loom weaving class, though.]
As long as we're talking about extracurricular activities, I wanted to again mention that Dayspring School of the Arts is opening a Crestwood satellite. Their schedule for Crestwood is now available at the website and classes start Feb. 15. We're considering a dance class. Single classes are $47/mo plus an initial registration fee. It seems the YMCA is similarly priced but Dayspring doesn't have the short sessions like the Y so kids can continue to pursue their interest.
Links, in a list:
COCA
Craft Alliance
Dayspring School of the Arts
The St. Louis Science Center
YMCA of Greater St. Louis
Feedback, people! Now, go run around like a lunatic to enroll your child in everything from origami to modern dance. Begone!
On to more relevant issues...
Summer camps are gearing up! Yep, you heard me, summer camp. I'm not thinking of the proverbial "out to the country, sleep under the stars" camp. I'm still not ready to be separated that way from my 5 year old. But activity camps in and around town. So far, we've received the information for COCA and the Science Center. I've ruled out COCA because they're too expensive for me. The Science Center is sitting on my desk and waiting.
I have no experience with this camp business. Until now, Arianna has been too young to participate in all the fun stuff. But turning 6 before summer begins opens a whole host of opportunity for her. Cost is definitely a limiting factor but I'm also interested in quality camps. I don't want to send her off to glorified babysitting - I can get that for free. I want her to attend something she finds interesting personally. I also need something with a reasonable schedule we can fit into our lives; I do not want to rearrange our lives for a week or two of camp.
Suggestions? Comments? I'm open to other experiences. So far, I know that I won't go to the Sublette YMCA due to their lack of organization and over crowding (two friends had problems with their kids). COCA is out of my budget. The Craft Alliance is pretty cool but don't offer classes that she would be interested in taking. [I'm drooling over their floor loom weaving class, though.]
As long as we're talking about extracurricular activities, I wanted to again mention that Dayspring School of the Arts is opening a Crestwood satellite. Their schedule for Crestwood is now available at the website and classes start Feb. 15. We're considering a dance class. Single classes are $47/mo plus an initial registration fee. It seems the YMCA is similarly priced but Dayspring doesn't have the short sessions like the Y so kids can continue to pursue their interest.
Links, in a list:
COCA
Craft Alliance
Dayspring School of the Arts
The St. Louis Science Center
YMCA of Greater St. Louis
Feedback, people! Now, go run around like a lunatic to enroll your child in everything from origami to modern dance. Begone!
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