LIFE is Good!

Oh what an amazing four days! The LIFE is Good Unschooling Conference started on Thursday May 22nd and ended on Sunday May 25th. I went into this not really knowing what to expect. How does one attend a conference with little ones in tow? Would we even be able to see any of the speakers?

We did not get to see as many speakers as we originally planned but it was an amazing experience. The kids had a blast at the many Funshops. Joe attended SSUDS, The Secret Society of Unschooling Dads, and a few other presentations. I was able to attend a birth circle chat and a circle chat called Talking With Relatives. We managed the entire conference with only a few minor meltdowns, a few from the kids (mostly from exhaustion) and one from me after trying to chase the wild and crazy Marah around and hold the baby while Joe attended SSUDS.

It was wonderful to be in such a large group of people where everyone was respected, including children. The interactions between the kids (of all ages) were kind. There was no age segregation. I watched teens show younger kids how to play games and kids of all ages play gently with babies and toddlers. The energy was amazing.

I came away from this conference fully believing that what we are doing is right for our family. Child led learning, Life Learning, Unschooling whatever you want to call it. It was great to see all of the kids at various ages and see that it does work. I am energized and exhausted all at the same time. We are already looking forward to LIFE is Good 2009! I am sure I will have more to say later but my mind is still whirling.

Some pictures:

Balloon Sword Maddness


Daddy painted Marah's face at the tattoo funshop.






Mommy and Marah walking the halls.


Not really a conference photo. On the way back from lunch one day there were two ducks using the crosswalk, they even waited until the light changed to walk. They did not quite make it in time and were to scared to move. The finally flew away after the car honked several times.




The kids participated in Fairy Godparents. Everyone draws a name and keeps it secret. For the duration of the conference you do nice, fun things for your God child. At the end you can reveal who you are or keep it a secret forever. Everyone who draws a God Child is also drawn by someone else. The kids had a blast picking flowers, drawing pictures, and doing things in secret for their fairy God children.

They also enjoyed receiving things from their secret God parents. Michael's left him things on our hotel door and he was always super excited. Madeline wondered the whole conference who hers was. :)

Some of the things they made for their God children.






Popsicle stick puzzles


The opening band on concert night. They are a group of unschoolers who live in Portland. Amazing!


The bridge




While Joe was in SSUDS the kids and I walked up to Ester Short Park. It was nice and sunny for the first time that weekend so we played in the fountain.














Some of the cars in the parking lot.












Okay so I may have gone a tad overboard with the car pictures. There were some GREAT bumperstickers. :)






















Campfire songs funshop


Playing in the lobby


Playing DDR in the game room.


Madeline with Mary the conference diva (organizer). Maddy was also Mary's Fairy God Parent.


The barefoot boogie on the last night.

Is Your LIFE Good?

This week we will attend our first unschooling conference. I am so excited! Michael can talk of nothing but a funshop called Up, Up, and Away and the Star Wars Battle. In fact today he told me "Mom I don't know how to choose." "Choose what?" I said "Which one to do, Up and Away or Battling." It took me a minute to realize he thought he only was able to do one thing at the conference. When I told him that the conference is for 4 days he was so excited. I wish I could post a picture of his face when I said he gets to do both and more too. Madeline is so excited about several of the fun shops and hanging out with tons of other kids. I will definitely be posting to the blog with pictures when we recuperate.

We have worms, hives, and other things.

Once again a months worth of photos to catch you up. I am amazed that I am getting this done in the middle of the day. Madeline is reading (as usual, I actually had to make her go outside earlier), Michael and Marah are outside with a spray bottle of water, and Naomi is cooing away at a cow toy hanging off the baby chair. I am eating bites of cupcake while I type in hopes that no one notices and then I have to share.

Sweet smiles. Nomy (yes I wrote Nomy and not Naomi.) Marah cannot say Naomi and Nomy has kind of stuck.
Michael is REALLY into legos. He will build and build for hours on end. This is a robot.

We went to Grandma Evelyn's. Meeting Great Grandma for the first time.

And those of you that know Grandma know she does not like having her picture taken twice.

Much less three times. See the eye? Its saying do it again I dare you.

I love Grandma's Tulips. I had hoped they would be in bloom at our wedding but it was still a little early.

The trees are in bloom.

At Grandma Karen's. Madeline is having a tea party.

Michael is building. Grandma has a large container full of toys and mini tools the kids get to play with when they come and visit.

Marah playing.

Madeline took some pictures of Skookum. He has one blue eye, its really pretty.


The best thing ever. All FOUR kids fell asleep for the entire drive home ( 1 and 1/2 hours). The drive home usually consists of a small nap and then lots of screaming the rest of the trip. This was heaven.



Grandma Melody came to visit and meet Nomy.

And yes Nomy has a "Got Breastmilk" shirt too. :)

Madeline asked me to curl her hair with rollers.

The results.

Marah really enjoys kitchen and set this table for Daddy.

The ant hill after 12 hours.

The kids tell me the ants are having a meeting here.

After 3 days.

The lady bugs.

We planted the garden. Green beans, snow peas, corn, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, carrots, lettuce, onions, radishes, strawberries. Madeline planted a flower garden and Michael planted several giant pumpkins.

She is getting so big!

I have to say I love prefolds.


Leslie made this soaker for Nomy. It is so cute!

In World Crafts (her Friday class) they learned about Korea. Madeline has eaten with her chopsticks every chance she gets.


Michael has hives. Well had hives. The Dr. thinks it is a food allergy but there is no way to tell what right now. He has a hyper immune system or something like that. He is also allergic to mosquitoes and amoxicillan.

We have worms! Two lbs of Red Worms to be exact.

Our vermicomposter being set up.

Red wigglers.

I managed to eat my cupcake and now must go make dinner.