Weekend Edition ~ Regional Convention

We went to our Regional Convention, and it was the first one we were able to take my step father to in 20 years. Since my mom died last fall, he has been able to get out again. She had been very ill for decades and he would stay home with her.

He was so excited to be at a Regional Convention for the first time in 20 years. He didn't recognize many people at first, because people change a lot in 20 years. But, I would point out to him, many of his old friends. He would ask some of them if they remembered who he was, and they would say, Of course we know you Brother Dunn! A few people I didn't recognize also came up to him and said, Hi Brother Dunn! One brother took me 2 days to remember who he was and place him in my mind.. I personally had not seen that brother in decades either! haha I don't know if it was a fluke he was at our Convention or not, but I hadn't seen him in probably 20 years either! haha Any way, he was just so happy and excited he had a great time, as did we all.

I was 9 months pregnant though so my feet were like sausages! And felt as if they would split open! But, I made it!

If you know me very well you will also know, that I go to many restaurant grand openings to get one free year of food. Well, I had did that about 7 years ago for a restaurant called Freebirds, I did not use all my points from that, and eventually they went out of business in Wichita. But, are still in business where are Regional was held. This year they announced points not used would be cancelled after one year. I had so many points left, I qualified to have a party for 20 people, plus a bunch more food, and STILL have points left over! So I held a party at our hotel for several of our friends too. That was a lot of fun.

Then on the way home, we stopped at Red Lobster, because on Mondays there is a reduced priced all you care to eat shrimp meal, and my step father loves shrimp. And the children had a impromptu education on lobsters, and were able to see one up close and even touch it.

There was substantial flooding though, both in Kansas and Oklahoma during this time.

Weekend Edition ~ Annual Trip to Walter's

As you may know by now Walter's Pumpkin Patch is one of our top favorite annual field trips. I didn't get a whole lot of photos this year. We had Simona just being 1 year old, and my nephew Gus who was only a few months old with us. So it was a lot of taking care of babies and toddlers, and keeping up with the big kids too! I can say I am so very grateful my dad is still around and healthy to accompany and bring us to such fun field trips too!

Special Edition ~ Annual Branson, Missouri Homeschool Week

Every year we go to Branson, Mo for Homeschool Week. There is homeschool discounts at many theaters and museums all over Branson. Silver Dollar City, a 1800's themed amusement park, also has a weekend of events sit up for homeschoolers.

Our good friend Gracie was able to come along with us, she is also homeschooled, and is in a congregation a few towns away from us. I wish I had taken more pictures but I just get into things and completely forget!

This year the kids took several of the homeschool classes that were available.

Candle Dipping

Made drink coasters from clay

Hand embroidered a project that ended up looking like a peppermint candy

Took a historic train ride, after the historic train ride we were able to meet a fellow JW homeschool family, Susan, but as usual I forgot to get photos!

Baked bread, and was able to ask a lot of neat questions to the Silver Dollar City bakery crew. Such as how do they make the mountain size chocolate chip cookies! Freezing the dough was the answer!

Took a historic tour of Marble Cave-which for the first time we seen a special under ground phone being used which was pretty neat. You can not see our tour guide well, but the kids thought it was especially special that his name was also RJ. I think it stood for Ralph (same as my RJ) Jacob. But, I would have to ask the kids to confirm, they always remember!

One of the days we were there we drove up to Bass Pro Shop in Springfield and took a class on local fish in the area. Since it was such a small class the children were able to ask a lot of questions there as well. It was really surprising that the fish feeders, and educators at Bass Pro Shop were expected to have quite a bit of education for their jobs there.

Weekend Edition ~ Used Homeschool Curricula Sales

I am so sorry for not posting in forever again. But, that's life for right now, with four children and one of them under 1 year old! lol haha We are all signed up for our summer swimming lessons, including baby Sofia! We are so excited over the new Jonah movie being released this summer as well! I hope all you friends have a wonderful summer planned as well. I have been focusing on the children, and getting some much needed excess weight off! But, I plan on reading a lot of books on Home Educating this summer, while the kids are playing in the swimming pool.

We had a wonderful homeschool convention this year, below is my haul from that convention.

So I wanted to jump on here and remind every one they may want to check their local homeschool associations and see if they have a used curricula sale coming up. Ours is this week. And while you can never count on specific books or curricula being there. It's always worth a look to see what may be there. So far it's the least expensive priced curricula I have been able to find. Most of the moms are so willing to part with what they bring they are ok with bargaining and negotiating the prices. So if you are looking for inexpensive items for educating your children, they are well worth the time I have found. I have found some of my favorite items at these sales, and have been going for nearly 10 years to our local one.

Special Edition ~ How Can I Truly Educate My Child?

Sorry friends, I can not update this blog very often. As I have a new baby, and still home educating my children, and working hard on losing weight as well, and making my life more healthy all around. But, today I was helping another mama, and came across this article from the FDS, on educating our children. And I thought I just had to share this! Also look for book reviews hopefully soon. As I am going to be reading more home educating books soon as well!

But, this article is amazing and wonderful. Of course the brothers are not saying every one has to home school. BUT, they make it clear that ultimately educating our children falls on the parents shoulders, and NOT schools or teachers. It's very encouraging and wonderful. And I just wanted to share it!

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2007364#h=1:0-26:50

Special Edition~Reminder

This is just a reminder that tomorrow, December 9, is the FREE Winter Retreat by Andrew Pudewa and Institute for Excellence in Writing.

http://iew.com/winter-retreat2017

Special Edition~Winter Retreat

Free Winter Retreat Audio broadcast by Andrew Pudewa the creator of IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing), one of my favorite homeschool speakers! They will be live on December 9, and you can also choose for them to send you the recordings if you wish to listen to on your own schedule.

Schedule and sign up is here-

http://iew.com/winter-retreat2017