Information regarding the upcoming “Homeschool Virtual Conference” sponsored by Heart of the Matter will follow this post.
One of the many perks to being a homeschool mom, here in the House of Fiddle, is the opportunity to attend the yearly Homeschool Convention in our state. Fiddledaddy dutifully takes over the care and feeding of the offspring, so that I can take off like a bat out of a hot place attend the event beginning on Thursday. And drag my sorry return home on Saturday refreshed, recharged, and renewed. Ready to face another year of he homeschooling.
I usually attend with my SIL and favorite partner in crime, Trish. We really look forward to this time of the year. In fact, she called me in early December, after a particularly harrowing day, asking, “Is it too early to start packing?”
The actual seminars don’t begin until early Friday morning, but we make it a point to arrive at check-in on Thursday, to beat the crowd. And have plenty of time to peruse the exhibit hall. And paint our nails.
This year, though, the thought also occurred to 2000 other harried homeschool moms, and when we arrived at the exhibit hall five minutes after opening, we immediately began tripping over all the other homeschoolers. With their deadly carts.
Now, we brought our carts too, mind you. But, we used our carts to haul food up to our room. And then, wisely, we left them there. The cart people should be outlawed. They are a dangerous breed.
Just my two cents.
The first place we headed was to the Rock Solid booth to purchase all of our consumables (workbooks) for the year. They send out a 10% off coupon to be used only on Thursday. Hence, the large crowd. And the carts. After braving claustrophobia, bruised shins, and a 45 minute wait in line to pay, we returned to our room to unload. And unpack.
This is what I found in my suitcase.

My first born daughter had been campaigning hard to go with me. She went so far as to pack her own suitcase, complete with several coordinated ensembles. And her trusty puppy dog and yellow blanket.
I tried to sell her on the fact that her daddy would need her to help keep her sister and brother alive.
Not a good argument, in her estimation.
I wiped away a single tear, slammed my suitcase shut and hollered to Trish, “WOOHOO! FREEDOM!” And with that, we headed down to the exhibit hall again, to trip over more carts.
Trish and I are both serious homeschool convention attendees. We sit through as many seminars as humanly possible, and at night, sift through material, plan, and strategize until our eyes glaze over at 9:30. Then it’s lights out. A good nights sleep. With no commercial interruptions. And no little children waking us up at dark thirty.
Two nights out of the year, we get a full nights sleep. Heaven.
This year, I did something a little different. Instead of taking copious seminar notes long hand, in my unmistakable chicken scratch, I used my computer to type out my notes during the sessions. I could actually read what I had written afterwards. Genius. My plan was to blog live, but that plan was foiled when I didn’t bring the right adaptor cable.
The weekend ended all too soon on Saturday. In the driving rain, they kicked us to the curb. And we aimed the van toward home.
Four faces pressed up against the window to greet me when we pulled into the driveway. A banner hung on the front door, “WELCOME HOME MOMMY! WE MISSED YOU.” And I was smothered with hugs, kisses, and appreciation.
“Don’t ever leave us again,” Emme warned, as I tucked her into bed that night.
And I couldn’t help but wonder, “is it too early to begin packing for next year?”……….
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I wanted to give you homeschoolers, or you just “thinking about homeschooling” readers and opportunity to sign up for a virtual homeschool convention, sponsored by Heart of the Matter. The “convention” runs from Wednesday, July 30th through Sunday, August 3rd, and there is an “early bird” special for $19.95.
I’ve been asked to speak, and the topic I’ve chosen is “Buying Used Curriculum.” A subject near and dear to my heart.
If you sign up, be sure and tell them that I sent you in the “special instructions” box.
While it’s not a 3 day get-way, I think it will be hugely informative and fun. And LOOK! No pesky carts to trip over.
See you there.
