Homeschool Convention

Although we homeschool year round, our "year" is winding down and everyone is looking forward to the next set of books. I went through all the old books and pulled out what I plan to use for Caden, Ezekiel, and Russell for the next year, and wrote a list of what I needed to look for at the Convention. I LOVE the convention. I mean who wouldn't love a room full of hundreds of BOOK vendors. Last year I was so overwhelmed by the all the "stuff" that this year I felt I needed that list so that I could stay on task. I am so distracted by books. . . I did allow myself one impulse buy. I bought the book For You They Signed by Boyer. It is about all the men who signed the Declaration of Independence. I love History. Zeke and Russell went with me to the convention on Friday, so they could help pick some of the things and the little ones stayed with Grandma for the day. Ezekiel picked out a second science kit for Caden and him to do. He also got to meet the author of a series of books he has been reading. Because the author was there (Chuck Black), we bought the last three books and Zeke got his autograph. Russell picked his Chemistry text. He chose Apologia Chemistry. A bit pricey (and the book is heavy -- LOL) but I think it was the best choice for him. Now I just have to buy the Lab Kit that goes with it. He also needed to choose a Geometry Curriculum. Now, I LOVED Geometry, but really wouldn't know a good geometry curriculum from any other. So, I let him look through different ones and pick a style he thought would be easy for him to learn from. He did A Beka until Algebra when I found their texts became difficult to use to say the least, and He hates Saxon. So, after looking around he settled on Life of Fred. I have to say, I sat down and read the first chapter the other night and found it very appealing. Unfortunately after such a wonderful time shopping I ended up with the worst Migraine I have had in years. It was awful. I spent a few hours trying to sleep it off and then got up to try and eat something. My mother made the best homemade Dill Wheat bread. I drank two cups of coffee and ate two slices of that bread and I felt so much better -- Just in time to go to bed. After spending a pretty penny at the convention, we spent the rest of the weekend hanging out with family.

Saturday was a Spring Clean Day at Mom and Dad's church , so Dad took the two older boys to the church and Mom and I took the little ones clothes shopping. Olivia desperately needed some new dresses and Caden needed some new church clothes. We also got to eat lunch at Everybody's Favorite Muffin and Bagel Co.(I think that is the right name of the place). It is such an awesome place. After lunch and clothes shopping I got to go to another bookstore and found the rest of the books I needed for Russell's literature course (there are 16 of them--It is a good thing he likes to read). Later that afternoon, I dropped Ezekiel off with my brother and his wife. They were taking their kids and a bunch of others to an arena football game for their oldest sons tenth birthday. Then, Zeke stayed with them until after church the next day. Of course the highlight of my day was that night my mom and I got to go out by ourselves. I don't think we ever really get to do that. We went to the Dinner Theater and saw Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. It was awesome. The food was good. The singing was great. The funniest thing all night was the older couple next to us. During the intermission the husband asked the wife about the plot. He said so do you think they all get married in the end? ROFL. Are you kidding me? Have you never seen it before. Anyway, it was a great night out with my mom.

Sunday we had an awesome time at Dad's church and the service was led by the youth. Afterwards we went out for lunch and then Mom and I took the little one's down to my brother's house to pick up Zeke. All the cousins had a great time playing while we talked. It was a very relaxing peaceful day.

Monday morning I had my eye appointment. Yes, after getting out of the AF I reverted back to my childhood eye Dr. I am happy to say that, if anything, my eyes have gotten slightly better. I am in NO jeopardy of needing Bi-focals anytime soon, and he says in the next few years my eyes should start to gradually get better as I get OLDer. That afternoon we took all the kids to the Cincinnati Museum Center. Ezekiel managed to get sick over the weekend so he stayed home with Grandma and learned how to make Dill Wheat bread (YUM!) We played and looked until we were all exhausted. It was so nice to watch Olivia and Caden explore, and Russell was such a big help. Monday evening Kristi and I ran away to the Melting Pot for a couple of hours of fondue and talking. We caught up on the kids and homeschooling and some other miscellaneous life stuff. It was anther really enjoyable evening.

Tuesday morning we drove home to be back in time for Zeke's Tae Kwon Do. This week has been full speed trying to clean up projects, pack, and get ready for Chris to be home next Monday. We are all so excited . . .