{"id":783190,"date":"2014-05-17T12:02:48","date_gmt":"2014-05-17T19:02:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.preparationeducation.com\/blog\/?p=783190"},"modified":"2013-09-17T14:49:49","modified_gmt":"2013-09-17T21:49:49","slug":"homeschool-convention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.preparationeducation.com\/blog\/2014\/05\/homeschool-convention\/","title":{"rendered":"Homeschool Convention"},"content":{"rendered":"

Okay, I love homeschool conventions. For some reason, it’s where I get my homeschool recharge each year. Just as I’m finishing up a school year and bemoaning the things that I wanted to do that we didn’t do, I get all excited about the next year and what we will do then. If you need a little homeschool encouragement, go to your local\/state homeschool convention it. It’s great!<\/p>\n

I remember the first homeschool convention I went to. I was so scared. There were so many people. I wondered: What should I look at? What shouldn’t I look at? Who should I listen to? Should I take all my kids? (I did.) What should I buy? Which programs were as amazing as touted? I was so overwhelmed.<\/p>\n

But I loved it and was hooked, even though that first time: I had gotten out of wearing a boot on my broken foot just the day before. (There’s a lot of walking to do for an injured foot. My foot was killing me.) I took all three of my kids and the youngest one was in a front pack. (If I’d have known how much I wanted to purchase, I would have at least brought a stroller for my purchases, even if I didn’t intend to put the baby in it.) And my little kids and I all skipped lunch because the food at our convention is just plain nasty. (I’m a vegetarian for starters, and secondly I don’t like food that just drips with grease.)<\/p>\n

I have continued to go almost every year since. I haven’t taken my kids every time. I have sometimes though. Now I pack a lunch and bring a water bottle. I have continued to bring a backpack to haul my purchases in, and wondered why I didn’t bring a rolling suitcase, because my back is breaking by the end. (I have this addiction to the neat art supplies that Miller Pads and Paper<\/a> sells, and they’re heavy.)<\/p>\n

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So it’s that time of year. My state homeschool convention is just a few weeks away. This time I did a little planning and I’m taking my new roller suitcase that I purchased at one of those super duper sales from Sierra Trading Post<\/a>. (See picture.)<\/p>\n

I’ve made a list of everything to take, so I don’t forget anything:<\/p>\n