Category Archives: Learning

Homeschool for free: Milk and Cookies at State Theatre in New Brunswick

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For a while now, I’ve wanted to let you all know about free (or almost free) resources for homeschoolers, especially for those of us in New Jersey. I have four children, and ours is a one income family, so finding cool, fun and education programs that’s not too expensive can be a challenge.

This month, we attended our first Milk and Cookies performance at the State Theatre in New Brunswick. Storyteller Diane Macklin had us engaged in her tales, getting us to make all sorts of animal and nature sounds or hand gestures. The younger crowd loved it – and as a fan of good storytelling – I loved it too. I was afraid it might be too simplistic for my older kids, my 10 and 9 year olds were some of the older ones in the audience, but even they participated, enjoying the show.

My tween, especially. I know how she thinks, what her strengths are, were her passions lie – that’s one of the great gifts of homeschooling: you know your child intimately. My Susan is a storyteller: whether it be writing, oral or using her Webkinz to act out her imagination, she’s good at spinning a good tale. I hope that watching a professional storyteller such as Ms. Macklin plants a seed in her heart of how she can use her gifts in the future.

If you are a New Jersey homeschooler, check out the Milk and Cookies series at the State Theatre.

And, in case you are wondering, they really do give the kids free milk and cookies before the (also free) show. Snacks and stories, can’t beat that!

A Woman Inspired: final thoughts

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I say final, because we’ve been chatting all week, haven’t we?

At the A Woman Inspired conference, we learned, laughed, even crying together – all though our Internet access. Who says nothing good can come from cyberspace? Humph. I’d sign up again – and still go back for more. There is nothing like getting encouragement and godly teaching from like-minded sisters.

My final thoughts:

1. Even though I didn’t get to “attend” all the sessions, it’s okay, I’m not freaking out like I lost money. I can download them for listening at my leisure (read: when the kids are in bed and I won’t be interrupted too much).

2. Loved the chat feature. That really made it interactive and not just one gal lecturing at us. Lectures get dull fast, the chat was just enough to keep me engaged without getting distracted. On Monday, the chat wasn’t up yet; I’m so glad it worked for the rest of the week.

3. Twitter. Then when we weren’t listening, chatting and asking questions at the conference site, we were on Twitter with the #awi hash tag to talk even more. How very ladylike of us. Looking for ways to talk. The good thing about the extra place to chat, was that we didn’t fill the conference chat up with too much silliness. Twitter helped us get that out.

4. It wasn’t a conference, it was a Church. My favorite moment of the conference was Tuesday morning when Heather shared her concern about her MRI scheduled the next day. How amazing it was to watch these ladies encourage, pray and love all over this home schooling mama. It was beautiful. From what I remember, there was a bit of  “I’m crying” posted in the chat box (yes, I was teary too.)

Janice had a lot to say regarding depression and taking medication. Natalie told me if I practiced, I could have an accent just like hers. Shelly wrote a book I want to read. Ali and Melissa teamed up to talk blogging, and I heckled Mrs. F from the cheap seats. Too much fun! (FYI: If I tease you, I want to be your friend. I’m weird like that.)

I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea – I enjoyed myself.

That’s it for me. What did you like about the conference? What didn’t you care for? Heck, let’s CHAT about the conference some more.

Fun at Liberty Science Center

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I’m tired, so this is a cheat. Pictures of our visit yesterday to Liberty Science Center, a day the home schoolers took over.

I think they were supposed to point those hoses at the machine, not at each other. Ah, well. Next time maybe they’ll get it right. Maybe.

Here is a fine example of sharing. Ha. What you don’t see in the picture is my boy smacking his kid sister’s hand out of the way. Oy. It’s tough being three going on four with so many big kids hogging all the cool stuff in the science museum.

On the way home, I realized I didn’t get a group shot in the science center; my camera had just enough battery life for one more shot.

Fun day. Now sleep! I need to recharge MY batteries. (Ha! Good one, Monica.)