Decisions, decisions...

This past weekend, I was fortunate to be able to attend the Smoky Mountain Home Education Association's (SMHEA) Family Resource Fair. My mom went along for the ride, and we headed down to Crown College in Powell, TN on Friday morning.

The fair featured an exhibit hall and several workshop sessions. We attended one for "New Home Educators". It was very interesting. The speaker is a mother of three (ages 12, 18, and 20) whose oldest two children were homeschooled k-12 and are now in college. Since I have read pretty extensively on the subject of homeschooling, different approaches, etc, some of what she said was review. But it was still good to hear, and so awesome to be in a room full of like-minded parents!

The exhibit hall was honestly a bit overwhelming! There are so many resources, it's hard to know where to start looking! There was a little bit of everying, from Spanish language programs to athletic associations to academic curricula. I got lots of brochures and talked to several people.

I did refrain from buying anything, though, because the last thing I want to do is make an impulse purchase! In fact, prior to the fair I had made up my mind to use Saxon Math. No question. I was sure! This was the one! Then I happened by a display for a program called Math U See. I had heard of this before, and know a mom who uses it, so my mom and I stopped to look at it and talk to the representative. We both really like the system, it uses a approach that is very hands-on and uses written worksheets for review. So, now I am undecided again!

I did purchase the phonics program I decided on, "Explode the Code". I plan on beginning it with Bella in the next two or three weeks, simply because she is ready. I'll let you know how it goes!

Ready for the Show!

One of my and K's favorite places to go has always been Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia. This year, he decided it was time to let Bella in on the family tradition, especially since there was a production of Beauty and the Beast. We saw it a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it, so we arranged for Nana to keep Abbigail, and off the three of us went! After stopping for lunch, we arrived at Barter early enough to take a stroll around town, and tour the Martha Washington Inn.


Me and Bella!

Me and K, who as per his unspoken rule is NOT

smiling good! (I love him anyway!)

Bella, (our own little Beauty!) waiting for the show to start!

We all really enjoyed the play! At almost three hours long (with a 15 minute intermission), it was almost too long for a wiggly four year old. But she did great. The theatre has booster seats for the little ones, but they aren't very comfortable. So after about twenty minutes she ended up in my lap. But that was okay. She loved the singing, and even though she was a little leery of the beast at first, that soon wore off. We look forward to more trips to Barter, especially when little Abby can come with us!

What else is new?

Well, it will shock no one when I say I am (yet again!) way behind with this blog. I really should just give it up, but I really do enjoy it when I have the time to do it! Anyway, the summer is flying by and it has been (mostly) business as usual for the Edmonds. I continue to work three days a weeek (Mon-Wed) as a dental hygienist, Kenneth is working his crazy 12 hour swing shift at Eastman, and the girls are growing like crazy. Their wonderful Nana (my mom) and Mommy Beth (my aunt) take fabulous care of them when we can't.

So far this summer we are trying to enjoy the sunshine, stay out of the heat, and away from the gnats. Sheesh, I almost just left the "g" off of gnat. We have snuck away for a weekend in Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg this summer. We spent two nights and crammed in lots of activities, including Dollywood, the Aquarium, a hike to Laurel Falls, some shopping, good food, and a ride on the chairlift. Needless to say we came home worn out! But it was lots of fun. Here are some pics:


This is at the overlook at the top of the chair lift. Abbigail
was too interested in the slushy to pay any attention to the
nice lady taking our picture. Thats my girl, food trumps photos
any day of the week.

This is me and Abbigail going back down. I admit I

was a bit nervous about holding an 18 month on my

lap, even though it is a chair lift and not a roller coaster.

The solution? Goldfish on the way up, slushy on the way down.

Happy, content, and still baby.

Yes, it was very hot. Yes, she had lots of hydration.

My hubby, valiantly pushing a double stroller up

the (mostly) paved path to Laurel Falls. Abby fell

asleep on the way up and missed the whole thing,

but it was beautiful.

Bella walked a while, rode on the double stroller, and

then rode my back for a while. Best excercise I've had

in a long time!