Rethinking Education Conference- Sept. 4-8

We have been waiting over a year and a half to attend this conference so it was with great excitement that we checked into the hotel and embarked on a 4-day adventure of play, intellect, support, camaraderie, and FUN! Some rooms were devoted to certain themes. Sadie found the dress-up room right away and spent quite a bit of time in there.

We had loads of fun dressing up and photographing each other!

Elijah and Daddy had their fun in the video game room where there were TVs and various video game systems and games on tables all around the room.

One of the ballrooms was open every evening for remote control cars. Elijah waited all day for this and, when asked to race, would matter-of-factly explain that his car is not made for racing but rather is amphibious and great for rough terrain.

There were also random activities that were set out each day for kids and adults to check out when we weren’t in other sessions. Here Elijah searches through old plastic toys getting new life- as in we used hack saws and glue guns to make new toys/inventions. Chris and I had way too much fun doing this.

The kids join lots of other kids and adults taking apart electronics in the hallway outside the ballrooms. We took apart several DVD players and this crazy looking vacuum. Sadie was also tinkering with a blender. An older boy helped Elijah get in touch with his destructive side by showing him how to pry open electronics with a giant flat-head screwdriver.

And then there’s Kid Village! A playroom… the size of a ballroom!

Sadie checks out the yurt made out of heavy duty cardboard and lacing made earlier in the conference.

Elijah was very busy with these long tubes. Here he directs other children that wish to join his game (already in progress) of putting balls in one end and holding the tube at different angles to direct the ball through.

Rachel, Sadie, and L have a snack while they wait for the fencing demonstration to begin.

Sadie fences with her partner during the instructional portion. Who knew she was into swords?!

A few of the sessions that Chris and I wanted to attend were occurring simultaneously. Saturday night as Chris went to the Dads’ Group, Sadie, Elijah, and I trekked off to the Law of Attraction session. They set up camp behind our circle and Sadie fell asleep!

Building the age-old egg drop craft. Elijah studies the supplies around him as we talk about what would create a safe craft for his egg.

Sadie paints a magic wand. I think the glitter is what makes it magic…

Sadie made a new friend this weekend. They wandered around the ballroom area taking pictures and giggling. It was so very cute to watch. “Can we take your picture?” “Can we take your picture?” Here is a Sadie’s Eye View of RE:

In addition to all of this fun (and way more that wasn’t documented on film), Chris and I attended sessions on:

Law of Attraction

Dad’s Discussion Group

The Extreme Inventor (kids attended with Chris)

Helping Your Children Live Their Dreams

Nurturing Your Children’s Passions

Unschooling Advocacy

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

The Ultimate Unschooling Adventure

Parenting By Silliness

Touching Earth/Nature Awareness

Respectful Partnerships

Raising a Strong Child