Life Rocks!

I recently returned from a trip to NH to attend the Life Rocks Radical Unschooling conference.  It was an amazing experience!  Being around like-minded people for a week to share stories of this life we are building was incredible.  It was so refreshing to breathe in the love, passion, and excitement that everyone there shared for living a peaceful, joyful life with their kids.  We are home now, eager to step even deeper into this world of partnership parenting.

Highlights:

Meeting up with like-minded moms every morning at 8am!  The discussions we had over food freedom, media freedom, and living peacefully with our children were truly awesome.  I can't wait to attend this group again next year!

Watching how quickly Megan found like-minded friends and just played and played.  I didn't see much of her for the time we were there, but each time I saw her, she was beaming!

The water park.   

The sessions that reinforced the reasons we have kept our kids out of school until they are ready to choose that path for themselves (or not).  I love the freedom we have as a family and I love that my kids are in charge of their own futures.

The entertainment--nerf wars, pirates, sword swallowing...you name it, they had it.  The kids LOVED it.  (Oh, and a TV in the bedroom that had the Red Sox on every night...you can guess who loved that part!)

All in all, a wonderful conference that left us with lots to think about.  I can't wait for next year!

 Evan sleeping with his Red Sox hat on...not sure he has taken that off since opening day!

 Erin was in her element during the Nerf Gun war.  Evan was thrilled with just being in a big crowd of kids who would fall over when he shot them.

 Spectators on a beautiful day!

Evan has told everyone that there was a real pirate at the conference...now you know it is true!

(I know there aren't any pictures of Megan up here, but like I said, I hardly saw her!  She was off with her friends the whole time!)

100 Days

100 Days*!! Today, in the pouring rain with my daughter riding her bike beside me, I completed a challenge I set for myself at the beginning of the year. For the past 100 days I have run/walked (mostly run!) a minimum of one mile EVERY SINGLE DAY. I haven't missed one.  Why? Because I have crazy friends (I won't mention you here, Lauri and Jen, don't worry, your secret is safe with me!) and I figured if they could do it, I could do it. So I did.  Yes, the past 100 days have included sickness (me and my kids), travel (running in the White Mountains of NH is all uphill...all of it.  Even the downhill parts), single parenting, crazy schedules, early mornings and late nights.  And it was all totally worth it. 

It has been a wonderful 100 days and I can't wait to expand my training a bit to include biking and swimming as I train for the next challenge I recently put on my plate.  But for now, I'm basking in the glow of this accomplishment with a smile on my face and a bowl of ice cream in my hands.  And know what I'll do tomorrow morning??  I'll probably go for a run....

   

My kids made a 100 day banner for me and were waiting for me at the end of my run this morning. 

*Yes, I realize it is only the 99th day of the year, but I started my challenge on December 31st so while everyone else who did this challenge has one more day to go, I'm basking today.  Life is good!