Homeschool

13 Nov 2009 1 Comment

by sandra in family, home school [Edit]

Yesterday was a BIG day at the Allen house!  Cami participated in a Cotillion dinner and dance through her Forsyth Christian Home Educators (FCHE) co-op.  We were up at 6:00 a.m. and that’s certainly bright and early for us!  Had to take the curlers out, chase away the butterflies, and get out the door with our lasagna (moms cooked them and took them there).

The event was fabulous.  Talk about a civilized and respectful group of young people!  Wow-they had a 5 course meal, toasted one another for going on an hour, danced the Grand March and Foxtrot, bounced to the Bunny Hop, performed songs in sign language, and ended the whole thing with the “slide!”

I have to say that the kids worked hard learning to set a table “properly”, eat soup with the spoon headed north, cut cherry tomatoes with a fork and make pleasant dinner conversation.  I did have to have a little discussion with one young man regarding lighting a piece of hair on fire and trying to fit the base of the goblet in his mouth (he did it)!  But truly, a more wonderful group of young kids you’ve never seen.

Moms worked pretty hard, too.  Those of us that worked the prep crew learned how to prepare 80 salads in about 10 minutes, and we that served learned to “serve from the left and clear from the right.”  The ones in charge were most impressive–from place cards, program, photos, food, dancing, serving….all was thought out and or-ga-nized.  Snaps for Vicki Eitel and Christina Torre.

Best of all was keeping an eye on my daughter, Cami.  I must say, she and Judson, her escort, were a handsome little pair and not bad on the dance floor, either.  He was spinning her like crazy!  And they were smiling!  Cami took charge of setting that table, too.  Told everyone where to put their fork, and I mean.  The most touching moment was watching her sign The Blessing, with all her heart.

Our day didn’t stop there!  I collapsed on the couch for about an hour (my feet were very unused to heels…heck, I wear slippers the majority of my life), then we were off to Cami’s afternoon classes at Christian Fine Arts of Forsyth (CFAF).  She sang in choir, and then went off to beginner band, which turned out to be QUITE eventful.  She was pulled out of class with a couple of others and was asked if she’d like to opt out of beginners band and participate in the marching band!  Well, would she?!?!?

Next, our hour drive to Piedmont College to hear Jessica’s choir make magical music.  Seriously, this conductor, Dr. Hinson, has the gift.  Such pianissimos and blending I’ve never heard in a choir.  He knows how to keep a program interesting, too, which was a good thing considering 4  of the boys came from 3D!  Hence, another priceless moment, sitting with our son and Cami, watching Jessica perform.  We just haven’t had many of these moments with Andrew, and we treasure them and really can hardly “get over’ how great it is to be a family.  See us in this photo, here?  Look at this tremendously happy group!  Jessica was overcome with emotion at having her little brother at the concert, and was literally glowing the whole night.  In light of their history as bro and sis, they’ve really come a long way, hugging goodbye about 39 times.

Whew, our great, exciting day is over and I can only thank God for the many blessings of having children.  Especially having healthy, happy ones.  Especially ones that hug 39 times.  And a little one that knows how to sip her soup.  As Andrew would say, “It’s all good. “