My first homeschooling conference

This weekend, Chris and I went to our first homeschooling conference! It was our state's annual conference and I have been wanting to go for three years now. I was so excited to go this year! The conference was all day Friday and Saturday and had 8 workshop sessions and three keynote speakers.

My plan was to get there at 10am on Friday when the exhibit hall opened so I could shop for a couple hours before the workshops started at 1pm. Then we'd go to the first 4 workshops from 1-5pm, with maybe some more shopping after. (: Well, it didn't quite work out that way.

Chris had been out of town all last week and was supposed to be home late Thursday night. Well, on his way home, he missed his connecting flight because of flight delays from the weather. And of course there were NO other flights into our state for the rest of the day. So he had to spend the night where he was and catch the first flight the next morning- which wouldn't get him home until at least 12:30 on Friday. I was pretty disappointed but Chris said he still wanted to go to the conference that day and maybe we'd only miss a little bit (what a trooper!). Thankfully, the workshops didn't start until 1 pm and we actually made it there by 2pm! So we only missed the first workshop. I am glad I didn't get all upset because it all worked out! TYL!

Anyway, the workshops were pretty good. Chris and I split up for a couple sessions so we could maximize the information gathering. (: Most of the information we learned were things that we already knew or could learn other places. Some of it was just common sense or general information. But we did learn some things and I felt encouraged just being there with so many homeschoolers and families just like ours. I even saw several people I know! You could tell there was a wide range of homeschooling styles and beliefs but it was really neat to see. It was almost like another world- one in which I sort of felt like I belonged, yet at the same time felt lost in.

Of course, one of my favorite parts was the shopping! There were quite a few booths, but it wasn't overwhelming. I recognized many of the organizations and companies, but it was neat to finally see the curriculum "in person". I looked at ones like Sonlight, My Father's World, Math U See, Right Start Math and Switched on Schoolhouse. I've always wondered what everyone raved about and now I know why they are popular. I was impressed too. I want to try them all! I am pretty sure we are going to stick with Abeka for now (especially since I have already have everthing for next year), but I can definitely see using some of these other things in the future.

Overall, this conference was a good experience. I had alot of fun. I think Chris enjoyed it too, just learning more about what the kids and I do and what we can all to do improve our homeschool.