The homeschool BUBBLE mentality is alive & well!

Here is how audition/interview # 2 played out:

It was later in the day so not as many students around, but enough.

DS had his monologue prepared, there was only ONE teacher, a woman. He went in alone.

I turn on the timer on my phone...it took only about 8.5 MINUTES!

I knew by the look on his face, as soon as he stepped out of the room that something was amiss. I asked him if he was ok & he said yes & just kept walking, I took my 'mom cue' & asked one more time then stayed quiet. I knew he probably wanted to wait to talk until we were out of the building & he had a moment to collect himself & his thoughts. As soon as we were out, w/o prompting from me, he spilled it.

DS said he did about half his monologue & she said, ok thank you. She looked @ his artwork then told him a little bit about the program, the classes he'd be taking ect.

THEN she asks him about his school.
He tells her he is homeschooled.

teacher: Why?
DS: uh...cause that's what my parents wanted to do. It's a charter school, basically it's a public school but we do our work @ home.
teacher: so you've been homeschooled your whole life?
ds: yes
teacher: how do you meet people?
ds: we have park days.
teacher: w/ who?
ds: other homeschooled kids in our hs group.
teacher: this school is very liberal. Are your parents conservative?
ds: Well, we're Christian but it's not like they tell me not to talk to certain people or anything. I have all kinds of friends & I don't know if they are Christian or not or if they're even religious.
teacher: well, it's not about religion. If you go here it might open your eyes, give you a new perspective, some kids have mohawks.
ds: was just like, hm mm, yah, nodding head & smiling.

WHATEVER!

1st: is this an interview OR interrogation?
2nd:WHY? uh cause that is what his PARENTS chose for him?
3rd:HOW in 2007 do people STILL have the "homsechool bubble" mentality!?!
4th: Like we've NEVER seen a person or kid w/ a mohawk? DUH! One of E's GOOD friends, homeschooled, who's sister goes to this school, HAS a mohawk! SO what!!!
& lastly, what NERVE of her to ask him questions like that.

She even asked him if he knew what IMPROV was! Oh how I WISH I had been IN there w/ him!!!! I would have been ALL over that!!!!!

He doesn't look like a freak! HE DOES look clean-cut & I wonder if that was a mark against him? Since when is being clean cut a NEGATIVE? ONLY if it has the words 'homeschool' attached to it, I guess!

SO anyhoo...*I* was NOT too happy w/ this interview. DS did NOT get a nice vibe from her. She did laugh during a part in his monologue....gotta think positive right? Whatever!

I think there was more but I can't remember it all right now.

I guess I am still a bit naive. I really thought, in 2007, CA, there was no longer the homeschool bubble bias. Maybe it is only because I've defended it for the past 9 years of my son's education. I thought we were 'past that'. kwim? {sigh}

I did not think this would even come up. I was wrong. I gave him a bit of preparation, suggesting the whole 'public charter school' answer in case it came up but I really didn't expect it too & even considered that unnecessary. If I had known, I would have prepared him better.

He's a big boy, he was fine but agitated w/ the lady. { I am learning how much I underestimate him sometimes because I keep getting surprised @ how well he asserts himself & grown up he is getting} He said he felt like she was thinking he was homeschooled cause he had a learning disability or was a trouble maker or something. He said what he wanted to tell her was: I don't have a learning problem, if that's what you are thinking. But he refrained. ;-)

About that guitar....

Well, it's NOT collecting dust, I will say that. lol

Due to some broken string issues (everytime I tried to have someone tune it for me, they inadvertedly broke a string, then when I finally bought 1, I was given the wrong one, then replaced it & a different string broke, DH was gracious enough to just buy a complete set of strings)....it sat there for a while, lonely & neglected.

I finally got it tuned a couple weeks ago.
AND I got some good books from the library....I am not prideful, I went straight to the CHILDREN'S learn-to-play-guitar books. I figured if it's made for a child to learn from, then I should have NO problem.

I also checked out a few 'adult programs' & boy were they ever comp-li-cate-ed! Seriously. SO I'm sticking w/ the kids books till I know how to play. lol

I know I"m doing something right cause my fingertips are sore. YAY! I can actually follow along & play a couple children's songs, none I've ever heard before, but whatever.

I can sort-of play Yankee Doodle & When the Saints Go Marching In, if you sing it really slow & don't mind a few stops & starts. lol Not from memory though, but by looking in the book. But hey, a song is a song.

I always believed music brings people together & that was one of the reasons I wanted to learn guitar. I fantasized of singing around beach bonfires, singing around back yard bonfires, campsite bonfires or in the living room w/ the ktbunch. (I'm not sure why bonfires are always involved. lol)

Well, guess what...I was RIGHT. As soon as I started playing yesterday.....1st L came from the other room to watch & eventually start singing w/ me the 1st little song I learned. It wasn't long before S came to check things out & we were all singing together.

I was encouraged & inspired. I can't wait to learn more. :D

First Audition Review

WHEW! 1 hurdle down.

We get there & the place is MANIC w/ Highschool energy...it brought me back to earth a bit...even though this IS an "art school" it's STILL a PUBLIC HIGHSCHOOL! kwim? Which of course I am NOT used to being around, besides the kids @ church....so there are lots of giggling & obnoxious GIRLS! haha. & quite a few 'punks': ie: lots of thick black eyeliner, bleached or dyed hair in unnatural colors, purposely ripped & torn black jeans ect. lol Everyone trying to be 'different' in some way. But I couldn't figure out WHICH conservatory these students may belong too...kwim? Music maybe? or visual arts, or maybe film & television....I doubted the ballet dancers would have hot pink hair....but you never know.

We go in the lobby & you can TOTALLY tell WHO the auditioners are....they ALL look CLEAN CUT! lololol Some have GIANT portfolios! ugh! Some of them, the PARENTS are holding thier artwork. Ernie had his in a manila folder, not too large & a compostion book w/ sketches.

There is a sign that says just wait & someone will take the 3:45 group up as a whole. It's crowded, between current students running all over, being extra loud AND intimidating.

A few took notice of DS shirt. ({I made it, it says: Make Art Not War, & I LOVE it} As we were waiting to get on the elevator (students are NOT allowed to use it during school hours, but this was after school) a GIRL noticed it & made a point (loudly) to let DS know she noticed by reading it out loud & commenting how it was cool.

THEN we get ON the elevator & a different current student says: "I don't like new students cause they take up space on the elevator." Nice! {eyeroll} The girl escorting us...had NO idea how to respond....then it was quiet & DS says: THIS is cozy! (ahhh! That's my witty boy!) we were practically packed in there like sardines. THEN another boy says: your shirt is cozy. Like in an "it's cool" kinda way. lol

So we get up there, the art teacher/director takes their artwork/portfolio & places another thick folder filled w/ papers on top & puts them in one room & directs the students into another room to draw.

DS said everyone was just QUIET! He was 2nd in the line & the girl in front of him, when he got in there, was just standing in there as if she didn't know what to do. As the rest of the students filed in (parents were instructed to return around 5:20, so I gave E a hi-five & said goodluck, as he turned in his portfolio) & sat down it was all quiet so DS finally asks the guy next to him what he likes to draw......he answered hands & architecture....then gave off the signal that he didn't want to talk anymore. (it was the cozy shirt guy)

They had to draw their hand, a shell, then choose 3 items together to draw, he chose an apple & 2 shells. THE bummer part was that there was no real 'interview', just draw & the teachers reviewed their portfolios. Not much interaction to get to know the prospective students.......Ds said he felt good about it, thinks he didn't do to well on the hand (too skinny pinky. lol) & he said he saw a few other students that he said drew WAY better than him....so we'll see.

BUT like in performing arts as well....there is usually a higher ratio of females to male, thus creating LESS competition for the males than for the girls....so this may also be the case here. It may be in DS favor.

What's for Dinner?

My neighbor asks me: What are you making for dinner?, almost EVERY day! lol

I've got 'chili' in the crock pot...it's smells SO scrumpdillyumptious!
My mom's recipe.
ground beef
canned corn
canned kidney beans
canned tomatoes (she used the bigger pieces, I prefer the seasoned diced ones)
then cornbread!

I'll make the cornbread later.
And I prefer my chili smothered in mozarella cheese.

Funny thing....I coulda sworn when I was little, my mom called this meal GHOULOSH! lol I'm not sure when it became chili. Maybe it's only ghoulosh if it has pasta in it? lol

It doesn't need to cook all day.....I just LOVE how it makes the whole house smell YUMMY! It only takes a few minutes actually to make. I browned the ground beef earlier in a skillet (wow the %92 fat free has NO grease!) then dumped all ingredients in the crock pot. voila! :D

I LOVE using my crock pot. It makes me feel like a good mom & like I CAN cook. lol It is the non-cook's life saver in my book. :-)

I actually believe ANY one can cook, cause I think ANY one can follow a recipe....but many just don't want to....myself included. :( If other little people were not dependent on me for their nutrition, I personally, would probalby live on carrots, water & trail mix. hahahahahahahaha.

Currently reading & HIGHLY recommend:

I am a bit farther than half-way through this book. It is FABULOUS & personally, *I* think it is a MUST read for ANY parent.

SO much to think about. Good stuff. Real practical advice...& you know what it starts w/? YOU. Not your child/teen but YOU.

What attitude are you giving off about 'true love'? Are you cynical? positive? Are you living a good example of 'true love', if you are married?

A challenging book well worth BUYING. A friend lent it to me but I am going to purchase it for future reference.

I am ALSO currently reading:

This is very encouraging. Basically it tosses out any preconceived notion of any standardized grief, stages, getting 'over it' or 'moving on'.

No, it doesn't promote being overwhelmed by grief but acknowledges that grief is not exactly a wound that will 'heal'

It's pretty much w/ you forever & you just get 'used' to it being there. NOT everyone goes through stages & everyone has a different time frame.

It says it's ok to KEEP your grief.

I like it.

And I am in a women's small group Bible study w/ this book. It contains simple, short devotionals but it is quite thought provoking.

There is another book I am about finished w/ that I wrote about, a couple posts below this one; Living Your Strengths. We are going through that one in a small group but we are almost finished w/ the group AND the book. ;-)

Plus I am reading the One Year Bible. I've had it for a few years...always resolve to read it...I don't feel guilty about it if I miss day (I make it the next)but my goal is to actually read it this year. I take one day @ a time.

I LOVE this Bible.

I'm getting faster but I wish my world would slow down.

Time today: 37:35-5k + a cool down walking mile

I ordered a running skirt last week & I can NOT wait to get it. The site has me convinced I will be more comfortable, look cuter & be an overall better runner if I wear one! lolololololol

I hope it actually fits. The site recommends sizes based on your waist size. Funny thing w/ me though, is: I have a rather slim waist, especially compared to my bottom half. Think pear. And ironically, since I've started 'running', my jeans, in the seat & thigh area have only gotten tighter! yikes!

Not cool for someone who has ALWAYS been sort of made fun of for my bottom half. I've learned to live w/ it....but you know? We all have our insecurities & body issues...but whatever.

I am excited.

I have been thinking my last 2 runs I would run 5 miles. I want too. I want to run a steady pace of 5 miles & gradually increase. SO far..it hasn't happened. On Friday I ran 4 miles...very slowly, in my attempt to maintain a steady pace.....skipped 2 days then went for it today.

Again...for no reason I stopped after 3.1 mi/5k & only walked the last mile as a cool down w/ youngest ds & the doggy. {sigh} I'm lazy, what can I say? But I did feel really, really good. Not over fatigued or sore, just good.

Another benefit of this whole running adventure---> our dog is getting walked way more than ever. Well we never really walked her before. She is an outdoor dog & we let her in the laundry room to sleep. She looks like a daschund mostly but I think she mixed w/ a chihauha & a daschund. Now I take her on my warm up walk around the block & my cool down walk.

Also....one or more of my littles usually goes w/ me. (oldest will run w/ me occasionally if there is someone else available to watch the littles) Lately it is usually my middle little, S, who is in 1st grade. He will usually hop up & get ready right away when I ask if anyone wants to go w/ me. He prefers to hold the leash & walk the dog is why. I really try to give him my attention on these walks & even if they seem mundane, I hold them as dear & special in my heart. I encourage conversation & then just listen. I think this will build a foundation for deeper conversations in the future.

Right now, the topics usually cover his favorite super heros...& the movies he wants to see that are about super heroes. lol He is very well trained to stop @ the end of a block if he is ahead of me (he likes to practice his 'running' occasionally) & then he instinctively will grab my arm or hand to cross the street. Sometimes he does not let go.....I tried to sensitively tell him I was hot & my arm was getting sweaty (I think it was his palm, actually) today. W/o missing a beat, as I shook his hand off my arm, he grabbed my hand instead. Problem solved. lolololol

I know if I 'shake him off' now, I will regret the disconnection between us later. So I force myself to continue to pay attention to him, invite him & tell him how much I enjoy our walks together, how proud of him I am, what a good helper he is becoming, what a smart boy he is & how maybe, someday he might run a race too. And I hold his hand as long as he wants. :-)

Is this what I look like?

Communication
You like to explain, to describe, to host, to speak in public, and to write. This is your Communication theme at work. Ideas are a dry beginning. Events are static. You feel a need to bring them to life, to energize them, to make them exciting and vivid. And so you turn events into stories and practice telling them. You take the dry idea and enliven it with images and examples and metaphors. You believe that most people have a very short attention span. They are bombarded by information, but very little of it survives. You want your information-whether an idea, an event, a product's features and benefits, a discovery, or a lesson-to survive. You want to divert their attention toward you and then capture it, lock it in. This is what drives your hunt for the perfect phrase. This is what draws you toward dramatic words and powerful word combinations. This is why people like to listen to you. Your word pictures pique their interest, sharpen their world, and inspire them to act.

Input
You are inquisitive. You collect things. You might collect information-words, facts, books, and quotations-or you might collect tangible objects such as butterflies, baseball cards, porcelain dolls, or sepia photographs. Whatever you collect, you collect it because it interests you. And yours is the kind of mind that finds so many things interesting. The world is exciting precisely because of its infinite variety and complexity. If you read a great deal, it is not necessarily to refine your theories but, rather, to add more information to your archives. If you like to travel, it is because each new location offers novel artifacts and facts. These can be acquired and then stored away. Why are they worth storing? At the time of storing it is often hard to say exactly when or why you might need them, but who knows when they might become useful? With all those possible uses in mind, you really don't feel comfortable throwing anything away. So you keep acquiring and compiling and filing stuff away. It's interesting. It keeps your mind fresh. And perhaps one day some of it will prove valuable.

Adaptability
You live in the moment. You don't see the future as a fixed destination. Instead, you see it as a place that you create out of the choices that you make right now. And so you discover your future one choice at a time. This doesn't mean that you don't have plans. You probably do. But this theme of Adaptability does enable you to respond willingly to the demands of the moment even if they pull you away from your plans. Unlike some, you don't resent sudden requests or unforeseen detours. You expect them. They are inevitable. Indeed, on some level you actually look forward to them. You are, at heart, a very flexible person who can stay productive when the demands of work are pulling you in many different directions at once.

Connectedness
Things happen for a reason. You are sure of it. You are sure of it because in your soul you know that we are all connected. Yes, we are individuals, responsible for our own judgments and in possession of our own free will, but nonetheless we are part of something larger. Some may call it the collective unconscious. Others may label it spirit or life force. But whatever your word of choice, you gain confidence from knowing that we are not isolated from one another or from the earth and the life on it. This feeling of Connectedness implies certain responsibilities. If we are all part of a larger picture, then we must not harm others because we will be harming ourselves. We must not exploit because we will be exploiting ourselves. Your awareness of these responsibilities creates your value system. You are considerate, caring, and accepting. Certain of the unity of humankind, you are a bridge builder for people of different cultures. Sensitive to the invisible hand, you can give others comfort that there is a purpose beyond our humdrum lives. The exact articles of your faith will depend on your upbringing and your culture, but your faith is strong. It sustains you and your close friends in the face of life's mysteries.

Harmony
You look for areas of agreement. In your view there is little to be gained from conflict and friction, so you seek to hold them to a minimum. When you know that the people around you hold differing views, you try to find the common ground. You try to steer them away from confrontation and toward harmony. In fact, harmony is one of your guiding values. You can't quite believe how much time is wasted by people trying to impose their views on others. Wouldn't we all be more productive if we kept our opinions in check and instead looked for consensus and support? You believe we would, and you live by that belief. When others are sounding off about their goals, their claims, and their fervently held opinions, you hold your peace. When others strike out in a direction, you will willingly, in the service of harmony, modify your own objectives to merge with theirs (as long as their basic values do not clash with yours). When others start to argue about their pet theory or concept, you steer clear of the debate, preferring to talk about practical, down-to-earth matters on which you can all agree. In your view we are all in the same boat, and we need this boat to get where we are going. It is a good boat. There is no need to rock it just to show that you can.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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Our church has small groups right now going through the book: Living Your Strengths. You go to the web site, enter in your personal code & take a questionnaire. Then it calculates/generates, based on your answers, your top 5 strengths.

The questions were kinda tricky...you had to click on which answer described you best.....oooookkkk. But they were like: "I like to relax" on one end then "I am organized" on the other end. Couldn't you be equally both? But if you choose to many 'nuetrals' as your answers...then what? kwim?

I thought I would have more 'thinking themed' characteristics. Communication---I won't argue w/ that one. It's pretty obvious. lol I'll take Input, although begrudgingly. I've never thought of being a pack-rat as a strength! :p I'll agree w/ Adaptability for this time in my life. Connectedness is iffy....Harmony? What the heck? I don't see it but whatever. I italicized the parts that I can clearly see in myself right now, in each definition.

I thought I'd have Analytical, Learner or Intellection or maybe even Empathy. So that is interesting????

What I do like about the book is that it gives you suggestions on how you can use your strengths in ministry. DS & I cracked up over "connectedness"...it said start a recycling program in your church. If you know me IRL you know why that is SO funny! I do recycle AND I am ALWAYS commenting on how people are just throwing recycleables away, I am ALWAYS commenting on one way to 'earn $$$' is to recycle. (like to the youth for youth camps & stuff lol)

I LOVE taking personality tests & quizzes to that is cool. I also understand that strengths can change as you develop in different areas of your life ect, so I can see where/how adaptability is 1 of my top 5 right now, specefically relating to DH job & schedule.

I hope this has a positive affect on our church community. There has been some confusion within the congregation, between strengths, talents, skills, gifts & even spiritual gifts. Hopefully it will get ironed out to those who are confused.

We're on our way!

We got our audition appointments for DS for the Art Highschool. It is very exciting & such a relief that the paperwork (mainly the 'report card') went through ok.

I was excited & wanted to call & TELL, but the person that I KNEW would be so excited for & with us I couldn't call.... that would be my mom. The thought brought immediate tears to my eyes. I know she would have been so excited w/ me & for lil E & would have told all her friends @ work ALL about it. lol

His auditions are in a week & a half. He needs to learn a monologue for the integrated arts audition. I knew this & he could have been preparing all this time BUT I couldn't find a good monologue book @ the library so I had to request it & we were able to get it just today.

For the visual arts audition, he needs to get a portfolio together of his artwork for the past 2 years & then he will also do 3 art excercises within 1.5 hours. Both appointments are set for the last week of the month.

In unrelated news....another 'non-emergency event' for one of my littles. (should I buy stock in band-aids, medical super glue or sutures? lol) L busted her chin open (again) @ the play area of the mall the other day. Right next to her scar of a previous chin bust when she was younger.(S has had the same injury & scar as do I) Last time, I think we took her to the ER where they applied the super glue {to the tune of $400}....this time, I gave her a baby wipe & had her hold it in place. It didn't bleed too much.

I entertained the idea of getting the OTC glue sticks from Target ($14.99, we used them when the same injury happened to S) but by the time they were done playing....just figured: aahhhh forget it! What's another scar right?

She still won't let me touch her ear & there is now a 'bump' on the side. Hard to explain but I think it is where I pulled a suture out a WEEK & a half later. (of having them 'removed') I KNEW there were still sutures in here ear that the doctor had missed EVEN THOUGH he assured me he had gotten them all out. There were 2 that I could see & had to pull out. I am worried there may be another one that I could not see. And although it is BARELY noticeable, that ear does look slightly 'bigger' in a swollen but not red way. {sigh}

She is due for her pre-k shots anyway (so NOT looking forward to that!) so I figure I should make her appointment early & mention the ear to the doc to take a look @ then. Maybe next week. {sigh}

Other useless news: I found this cool site for female running wear, http://www.runningskirts.com. According to the site, all I need is a running skirt to feel cuter, hipper, cooler, more comfortable & probably even faster! I ordered one! {blush} They had free shipping on green ones if you order before St. Patrick's day. lol They DO look comfy though. & hey...why NOT dress like a girl even while running hanh? Oh! & btw....38:01 the other day! I've shaved off quite a few minutes for my 5k time.

I read that the national average for women 5k runners is 32 something minutes? I've got a ways to go. And for my October race goal, the stats from last year's race are in.....whoa....I've got a LONG way to go if I want to feel 'competitive'. kwim?

My goal this next week is to up my running to 5 miles a run. I think I can do it, I just need to keep a steady pace. :)

My Bulletin Board

The Application has been SENT!

Oldest ds application for an Art Highschool. You must 1st apply, then audition & then if there is space in the conservatory you want, you get it....maybe.

In the 'home-educating world', I feel like a total sell-out. Way back when ds was in kinder & people always asked how long we would 'home-school' I always answered as long as possible & then they asked if I was going to hs through high school & I said sure. I wasn't worried about it.

And now here we are.

I've thought about it...alot. I've prayed about it. DH too, not just me.

DS does have a passion AND talent for drawing & watercolors. (although he says he doesn't like watercolors that much but he's good @ it. lol) He's also very talented @ acting & improv BUT it's not his 'passion'. I can teach him to act & improvise, which I have.

But I cannot offer him anything in the 'drawing' area. DH can draw.....

We think this will offer him opportunites that we/I can't. He may not get in....we are praying that God's will, will determine.

I also look @ it as: if this will help him, in his long term future, to be able to get a job doing something that he LOVES, that can support his family....then I want to be able to offer him that. I think many men (& women) are stuck in jobs that are simply J.O.B.'s to pay bills. But if he can support his family doing something he LOVES....it will be so much better for him & his family, less stress, ect. kwim?

I don't want to feel guilty about that. I know 'outside' school is not for everyone...I do believe homeschool is BEST, but trust every parent to parent & educate THIER child in the way THEY see fit. And that is what we are doing here. Unfortuneatley, as a HS, this is not always an 'acceptable' option in the HS community, which is why there is that part of me that feels like a 'sell-out'.

I tell ya', us mom's get so much pressure in every direction, sometimes there is NO choice we can make that does not come w/ out guilt. lol

AND it's not like we can't change our minds. kwim? If it turns out this is NOT a right fit for us...so be it. :-)

Do you see what I see?

SNOW! The ktbunch & I went away this weekend to a retreat w/ some friends from church. We stayed in some very nice condos. It was about 4.5 hours away & took about 5-6 hours to get there since we stopped for lunch & then to pick up someone, potty break & muscle stretch.

Everyone went skiing on Saturday but we stayed @ the condo. The snow was deep & powdery & not very conducive to sledding, although we tried on our ghetto sleds. (cardboard) The ktbunch had a good time anyway.

I was especially proud of the many comments I received about how 'well-behaved' my chillers were. Everyone was very impressed since all but 1 of the others are childless. Mine were the only kids there.

They didn't whine, complain or cause a ruckus. They didn't even ask for any extra stops OR ask if we were 'there yet' either. The ride was long & they sang merrily, chit-chatted amongst themselves & slept. (of course)

It was very encouraging as a mother to hear the compliments & see them behaving so well. It is not by luck or chance. I have put effort into TRAINING them. They weren't born this way. Ok, I'll give credit to ds #1, he WAS born mostly compliant but there was still training to be had. lol

The 'littles' were definitely NOT born naturally compliant. I know the job is not done & there is still more training to do but it is encouraging for the road ahead.

We just hung out Saturday & relaxed while everyone was skiing. We played games, I read & crochetted & then we napped. It was nice.

I even got a run in. I thought it would be harder due to being in the mountains & all but it wasn't so bad. I ran 45 minutes since I wasn't sure how FAR I was running & I felt slow. The neighborhood had hills so that was different for me & I liked it.

Eventually every one made it back & we had a nice dinner.



Sunday morning we were the first ones up & ready to go. Hours before everyone else was packed & ready! So we tried sledding again. The snow had melted a bit & become more icy & was perfect!

It was a very nice weekend. :-) The only thing that could have made it better was DH being there, he was working but encouraged us to go & have a good time. I even got the master bedroom w/ a Cal King bed & jacuzzi tub! lol

Honorable Mention!

That is what ds science team won!

They didn't get the trip to the British Virgin Islands, they aren't going to Catalina either.

They judges DID call their team "dynamic". They were the first team award given. THey judges said they were able to incorporate their love of robots into their project & really stood out. It was so flattering & I was so proud. I think "dynamic" is a very accurate word to describe their team!

They were awarded a $150 team award, beanies from teh marine institute & a "travel mug" that was made from plastic recycled from CORN? THey all thought that was the coolest thing! Plus a really cool quiksilver t-shirt.

The event took place @ Quiksilver headwuarters, which is a really cool building & looks like a great place to work. It also included dinner: fresh hamburgers (which were absolutely yummyliscious), chips, salads ect.

There were 2 divisions: highschool & middle school. (& each division offered the 2 major trip awards, each) You could see how the teams that won really deserved to win. Everyone had really great projects. I am really so proud of the team & my ds.

I think his 8th grade year has been a really memorable one & he has been able to experience opportunites that I am happy for. I don't want to get emotional.....but.....thinking right now, I can really see how he has grown & flourished this year. Yes, he is still way behind in algebra....he may never catch up! lol And he may not ever 'enjoy' it, nor will it be his strength. But I don't even feel guilty about that. I refuse to feel bad when there are so many other strengths he has & he has been able to use them in small ways this year & really flourish. IT makes me excited about what is to come for him in the next few years as he grows into adulthood.

I don't understand why our 'teacher' can't seem to understand that....but that may just be her ignorance of home-educating. Whatever. I don't care. *I've* had fun this year!!!! :D