Op for Homeschool Teens!!

VaHomeschoolers 2012 

Conference and Resource Fair
Excite, Enliven, Empower!

Give a Little, Get a Lot: Volunteer!

March 23-24, 2012

Cultural Arts Center
at Glen Allen
2880 Mountain Road
Glen Allen, Virginia

I don't know if you know or not, but I'm a Homeschooling Mamma! Now that my kids are older (11 and 14) they don't like to be included on the blog, I think they feel a little exposed (don't tell them about the snow day photos, or I'll be in big trouble). Because of this, I don't really chat too much about family life here anymore and that kind of makes me sad. At least I have twitter and Facebook on which to share the day-to-day bits. 

I've long been a member of The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers. It's my go to website to learn about the in's and out's of homeschooling. And every year they host a conference, a conference I would not miss for love nor money. It's my annual homeschool booster shot, without which I would have quit homeschooling a long time ago. No lie.

Before Modern June got off the ground, I used to volunteer as a Key Leader for the conference. I was the Ice Cream Social and Talent Show hostess. It's funny for me to say that I was Key Leader, as throwing a party is not nearly as hard or important as all the other jobs Key Leaders are required to do. I am awe of these ladies and gentlemen that work so hard to put together an informative and successful conference each year.

Well, I'm back in the mix again. I've taken on a little job to help out this year. Maddie and I will be hosting the Teen Luau on Friday, March 23rd. We'll be planning games and making a limbo set up. I think we need to make a Tropical Photo Booth too!! How fun will that be? 

 

Here's the 411!! 

Teens
Teen volunteers must be 13 years or older and come ready to work. As a heartfelt thank-you to all our teen volunteers for your wonderful support and hard work, we offer you food and fun. Volunteer at the conference and get free admission plus access to the Volunteer Hospitality Room (stocked with complimentary snacks, drinks and a yummy lunch) on the day of the conference.

Teen Luau
Aloha Teens! Teen volunteers get free conference admission and entrance to the Teen Volunteer Luau.  Join us Friday night from 4-6 p.m. for a luau with food, music, games and the chance to mingle with other homeschooled teens from throughout the state. Mix with old friends, and make some new ones! This party is separate from the ice cream social luau and is only for teen conference volunteers.

Earn Certification Hours
We’re happy to provide certification of service hours and/or letters of reference for your participation (these look great on college and job applications) for teens that volunteer. You deserve it!

Sign-up to volunteer today! Click below to send an email to Volunteers@VaHomeschoolers.org.

My crazy and wonderful life!

Good morning! The house is so silent everyone is still in bed. My wrist is killing me. Tentinitus I am guessing. I should be walking on ye ol' happy treadmill. But no way. I have my wrist brace on, an ice cold seltzer at my side and I want nothing but to blog away!

I love this time of the morning. I try to get up super early I need at least 1 hour alone to really be sane. Two hours is optimal but that is hardly ever realistic.


Well the last 9 days has been crazy. Crazy good and just plain old crazy!

The ice cream party that was last Friday was a success. Oh what stress that was. The night before I got 2 hours sleep. I need a root canal. Yep, at 3:00am there I was in shocking pain! I was mortified. What was I going to do? How could I make it through the day? But I made it with the help of a LOT of advil!

With Advil, decorations and loads of ice cream toppings I make my way to the hotel. First I was shown this room, YIKES. Those are some super ugly tablecloths. I was in such shock I couldn't even ask to have them changed. I was then informed that the ceiling is damaged in the other room where the talent show was to happen. NO way! It turns out that the room AC was not working. But no one told me this. The woman did not seem to think I needed to know that bit of information. But I took the high road and thought what can I do. I mean I can't fix air conditioning. I can't make this room comfortable for 200 in less than 7 hours.

So I went off to the "ice cream" room and worked some magic. I was able to get white tablecloths. That made the biggest difference. I also dimmed the lights so I didn't have to see the stains on the carpet.

So around 2:00, 5 hours to party time I walked into the big room with no air. I had been avoiding this room like the plague. Well I hear a drip, drip and then came a gush of black water coming out of the ceiling. Crap. I am trying to stay calm, I want to call the conference chair my buddy Parrish or call Lois who has been the person who had made the arragements with the hotel. But really what are they going to do? Freak out and have twice the stress. They are at the conference space setting up.









But never fear the wonderful workman came through! I even start thinking "next year I will do....". How quickly I can forget and forgive.






By 7 the place is wonderful! We have air. I have my great friends ready to help. Lynn, Kirstin, Heidi and Tracy were in the ice cream room scooping away! What do you think of the cute aprons that I made! I really thought they were fun. They got to take them home with them, the least I could do to thank them!























And then there is sweet and wonderful Kimmy! My friend that got me through it all. I was able to grip and complain and pass off work to. I could not have done it with out her. What did I do last year, I am crazy!



But don't think the "fun" stopped there. Nope with a now throbbing tooth I go and meet everyone at the Barnes and Noble. Yup Harry Potter. I have to admit I am a HP geek! I am really glad I went even with my tooth aching and my extreme lack of sleep. Don and the kids stayed until 11:30. He said that they were unable to finish the treasure hunt because of the people that were lined up through out the store. The line snaked around every isle. Kimmy works in the Cafe there part time, she said that they were open until 1:30 am that is when the last person in line bought their HP book. That is some kind of crazy! Kimmy said that the Manager spent the night in the store after cleaning up all the decorations. They opened back up at 5:00 am. They sold out of all the HP 7 by lunch that Saturday. Here are some picture of the fun!