This last weekend we all headed up to Oshkosh, WI for the Wisconsin Parents Association Homeschool Conference. Usually I take a short mommy retreat every year to do this but this year we opted to find a conference that we could travel to as a family. It was a wonderful experience for us but honestly, Doug and I were miserable at the same time. Here's the story:
Last Thursday evening Doug had a big event at work that he headed up (it went very well, he thinks. wahoo!). Friday after lunch we planned to leave for Oshkosh. I needed to do the grocery shopping, packing, and kid care on my own. Friday morning Doug had a few things he needed to get done on the house. Of course, the kids are running around with backpacks, getting in and out of the car asking for hours on end asking "When are we leaving???" I'm running around crazy trying to pull things together. Basil runs in the house and yells "Something terrible has happened to the car." Sure enough. A smaller SOMEONE in HER boredom etched curly designs ALL over the van. Wonderful. 30 minutes before we were supposed to leave. Doug spends the next 30 waxing the van to see if that will help. It looks like it will help some. Our poor, poor van.
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| first pit stop to change Mace's clothes |
A few days before Basil caught a cold and we had been working hard to get him healthy for the trip. Then Sage catches the cold. Thursday morning Doug and I wake up with colds. Doug feels horrible all day Thursday but miraculously does well for the event. I'm sick on Friday but packing my way through it. Friday afternoon we finally leave for Oshkosh. Mace throws up THREE times in the car on the way. I use up his clothes changing his each time he pukes. The last time we are 30 minutes from our destination. Doug quickly pulls the car over to the side of the road because the "stuff" is all over his car seat. We get out and start assessing the "damage." A policeman pulls up behind. This nice man helps us by giving up Clorox wipes, some water, and a garbage bag. We clean up, have a nice chit chat, and head on our way again. Phew!
Friday night Doug, Mace, and I sleep very little. Saturday Doug and I are perfectly miserable. We are literally dragging ourselves to each event but you know, we manage to make it through because the kids are having a perfectly wonderful experience. They keep thanking us over and over, telling us what generous, sacrificial parents we are. Ha! We aren't sure we agree but how can you call it quits with all that?
We made it through Saturday somehow, slept hard Saturday night, and took our time leaving on Sunday. We went to church at the most beautiful church I think I have ever seen, then had a blissfully restorative lunch at Olive Garden before leaving Oshkosh. We made it home safely and CRASHED!
It was good. We are all so glad we went. We really couldn't cancel. Instead we just played the whole weekend by ear. I wasn't able to go to the workshops I had intended to but the kids went to several that meant much to them. It was quite the experience for them to spend a couple days on a college campus during the school year. We stayed in dorm rooms, ate in the cafeteria, rubbed shoulders with homeschoolers from every walk of life, and tried new activities. I think every time you try something new some sort of growth is bound to happen. Sage, often the timid one, jumped off the HIGH diving board twice and tried some sparring in Taekwondo class. Basil did a flip off the the lower diving board. I was happy because we made time to do what I wanted to do most: visit the used book sale. I came home with two bags of books to feed our minds and imaginations. It was also satisfying for me to witness my kiddos jumping into new experiences. Doug was just happy to end the weekend with a good meal. And ... that's a wrap.
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| Sage, not wanting to leave after the lecture on Harry Houdini. |
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| At the resource fair. |
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| conference booths are for toddlers too. |
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| cafeteria food! |
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| at the used book sale |
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| Taekwondo workshop |
"Inconveniences are often adventures waiting to happen."
Friday night Doug, Mace, and I sleep very little. Saturday Doug and I are perfectly miserable. We are literally dragging ourselves to each event but you know, we manage to make it through because the kids are having a perfectly wonderful experience. They keep thanking us over and over, telling us what generous, sacrificial parents we are. Ha! We aren't sure we agree but how can you call it quits with all that?
Oh, my! What a challenging trip for all of you. The car is scratched all over by busy hands, four of the 6 had colds, Mace throws up three times, a policeman assists you, and the pictures appear as though all were fine during the conference. You all are amazing! I would have freaked out if all that happened to me. I wonder if Mace simply thew up the "cold" and was done with it...My Julie got carsick a lot and the dramamine made the difference. Glad you still had a good time...the kids did well in the activities! Sage tried taekwando and jumped off the high dive twice? Wow!! Stuffy grandma is recommending a back to Lysol and antibacterial hand sanitizer like back in the Spokane days! I must say it has worked well for me. Kudos on making a good time out of a lot of misery!!!
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