Second Semester Field Trips!!!

Our field trip planner extraordinaire, Rhonda Cracraft, has lined up some really great FREE field trips this semester (did you hear me say "free"?). However, you MUST sign up for these trips so Rhonda can let the various venues know how many to expect. Feel free to invite friends and other homeschoolers, but know that our group will take precedence should there be a limit.

February 19th, 10:00am - Alabama Archive Building, Montgomery, AL - How to Research for grade 6 - 12. Students will learn proper research techniques, such as using primary and secondary sources, through an examination of an Alabama historical event. We will meet outside the front of the Archive Building at 9:30am. After the class, weather permitting, we will have a picnic by the Waterfront for anyone who would like to join us. Please RSVP by February 7th.

February 19th, 7:00pm - Teen Game Night, Calera Public Library.

March 26th, 11:00am - Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham, AL - European Masterpieces Grand Tour for grades 3 & up. During the 18th century, young gentleman and young gentlewomen, along with chaparones and tutors, would embark on a long tour of continental Europe. The primary purpose of their travels was to gain a deeper understanding of the art and culture of various people and places. Join us for a Grand Tour Adventure through the English, Italian, and French galleries to discover what travellers saw and collected during their journeys. We will meet outside the art museum at 10:30am. Please RSVP by March 3rd.

April 30th, 10:00am - Auburn Extension Center, Thorsby, AL - It is fitting that the Chilton Research and Extension is located in the shadow of Clanton's famous giant peach water tower. Because at CREC, peaches rule! When the center was established in 1944, its mission was to identify superior varieties and develop new management techniques that would help Chilton County's peach producers maximize their profits. And that's still its mission today. The CREC does work with other small fruits - most notably kiwifruit - but peaches have priority. We will spend the afternoon learning to appreciate all that is around us. Please RSVP by April 1st.

The May activity is to be announced, but will probably be an outdoor party at George Roy Park in Calera. There's a playground for the younger ones, a great walking trail, and plenty of field to play football, frisbee, etc.

To sign up for any of these trips, or if you have questions, please call Rhonda at 205-739-1850 or email her at rkcracraft@yahoo.com or DonDee at osburnfamily5@gmail.com.

Back to School Bash Postponed :(

Unless you have been in another dimension for the last week or so, you have probably been wading through water to get to your car or mailbox like we have. We thank God for all the rain, but it has not really come at the best time for our Back to School Bash plans. The Cracrafts took stock of their yard condition and the news is not good. The gathering area is, quite literally, under water. If you will also look at the forecast for the week, there is a chance of rain everyday culminating in a 70% chance on Saturday, eliminating the chance that the yard will be even remotely dry by 4pm on Saturday. And last, but certainly not least, our bonfire wood is completely saturated. I know, I know. Let me hear everyone say, "Bummer!!"

Never fear! Your leaders have a plan B, but it means we have to postpone our Back to School Bash. We will look at the calender and reschedule for a Fall Back to School Bash. In the cool weather, the warm chili will taste better, the bonfire will feel better, and the football game will be more competitive after watching more of the season. (I need some football parents to email me and let me know what weekends will or will not work!)

We are disappointed, just like you guys, but we are optimistic that a Fall Bonfire will work just as well or even better. Feel free to email with comments or suggestions.

Hope the year is going well for everyone,

DonDee and Rhonda

Attention Teens and Friends of the Library!

Hello everyone,

I am so excited about the sign up for the fall field trips, it is going to be a great time and I am looking forward to spending time with everyone!

Just a couple of thing I wanted to tell you about....on Hope Day I mentioned that my sons, who are teenagers, wanted to help plan some events. Well, they have come up with something! September 17, they are planning a LATE NIGHT BOWLING event. The cost will be $10.00 for two hours of bowling plus the cost of shoes. I think that is around $2.50. (THERE WILL BE AN ADULT WITH MY CHILDREN, WELL IF I AM CONSIDERED AN ADULT.) They would meet at Oak Mtn Lanes, in Pelham at 10 pm, bowl for the 2 hours and leave from there. If your teens are interested, please let me know by September 1st. I love that my sons are taking the incentive and I think this is a great way for them to reaching out of their comfort zone and to meet others. Hopefully your children will be as excited as mine!

Another opportunity I want to tell you about is the CALERA FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY, will be having its first DUST OF YOUR GLASS SLIPPERS meeting. This is a AWESOME volunteer experience, especially if you are working on hours for the presidential award. You could earn all your hours in one event. Or if your children are members of Key Club, this is right up the Kiwanis alley.

For you who are not familiar with this event, the Friends put on a fundraiser for the library. It is Wintertime Fairy Tale Ball; last year the event turned into a HUGE event. Well, we are planning bigger and better this year! We changed the month of the event to February and we are planning on having a breakfast and craft event the day of the ball with the fairy tale actors. That evening we will have carriage rides, a small play, and of course mix and mingle with all the characters. NOTHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS IN ANY OF THE COUNTIES AROUND US. But as you can see, we need lots of help. If you or your children are available to help in any form we have plenty of options: help us mail information, hang up flyers, be a character, help build sets, help with directions, or help with the silent auction. Any amount of time you wish to give will be GREATLY appreciative! Again, this is the largest fundraiser for the library. These funds go directly into programs that unfortunately have been cut from the city's budget. It will fund summer reading programs, preschool and pea pod story time, author tours, and book crackers reading club.

Spend some time thinking about it, the meeting will be at 6 PM on September 18 at the Calera Library.........Hope to see you there!

Rhonda

Back to School Bash

This year, our Back to School Bash will be for everyone to fellowship and get to know other. Bring your lawn chair, your favorite pot of chili (come on, you know you have a secret recipe!), and a dozen cookies and join us on Saturday, September 26th at 4:00pm at the home of Rhonda Cracraft. We are going to have a wonderful time where the kids can enjoy activities like a hayride, football, or just playing games. Couple that with an official chili tasting contest and you have a recipe for a great time together!!

We would love to see every single family join us for this time of food, fellowship, and fun!

First Semester Field Trips

Here are the first semester field trips information. If you would like to sign up for any of them, just click the appropriate link. If there are monies due for the trip, your name on the list will be temporary pending receipt of the payment. Payment should be mailed to DonDee Osburn, 32515 Hwy 31, Calera, AL 35040. Please do not send cash. If you need to pay in cash, contact Rhonda or DonDee and we will make arrangements.

Where: St. Bernard Abbey and Ava Maria Grotto, Cullman, AL
When: September 11th at 10:00am (meet at St. Bernard Abbey)
What: Founded in 1891, St. Bernard Abbey is the home of monks who live out the monastic life of leaving everything and following Christ. For more information, click here. Also, we will be visiting the Ava Maria Grotto, the monks' "Labor of Love". To learn more about this "Jerusalem in Miniature", click here. Directions to the Abbey are here. We will enjoy a picnic lunch together before we head for home.
Cost: $10.00 for adults, $7.00 for students, children 6 & under are free.
Deadline for registration and payment: August 21st

Where: Sunshine Farms, Clanton, AL
When: October 16th at 10:00am
What: This new twist on the Pumpkin Patch has a little something for everyone. Check out Sunshine Farms website to see everything they have to offer. We are so excited that this place seems to be well suited for older and younger students alike. The above link also has directions to Sunshine Farms.
Cost: $5.00 per person
Deadline for registration and payment: September 26th

Where: Aldrich Coal Museum, Inc., Montevallo, AL
When: November 6th at 10:00am
What: A unique field trip that focuses on the collection and preservation of the history of the Alabama coal industry. Housed in two historic buildings, they each display hundreds of memories through pictures and artifacts of Aldrich coal mine and camp, other mining camps in Shelby County and the City of Montevallo. The coal museum is located at 137 Hwy 203, Montevallo, AL, 35115. If you need help locating directions, just email DonDee and she can send you directions from your address.
Cost: $5.00 for parents, $3.00 for students
Deadline for registration and payment: October 15th

Where: Calera Public Library, Calera, AL
When: December 12th at 3:00pm
What: Christmas Pary and Scavenger Hunt. Kids and parents will pair up into groups to answer fun questions for prizes and fun all while learning new things about their public library. We will then meet in the meeting room for a movie and Christmas party. Can't wait!
Cost: FREE
Deadline for registration: None

To sign up for any field trip, just email DonDee or Rhonda, then drop your payment in the mail. If you have friends who would like to join us, we will be glad to put them on the list. Just let us know. We are so excited about spending time with you! If you have never read our field trip guidelines, just click on the link to the left.

Loved Seeing Your Smiling Faces

What a great time we had on Hope Day! As crazy as the pace was, we had such fun talking to you guys. You help to spark my enthusiasm for the year. And Rhonda went on and on about the great group we have (of course, I already knew that!)

Pay close attention to the blog over the next couple of days. The plan is to post field trip info, a calendar, and other important info you may have missed.

Ready or not, it's time for school!!

Hope Day 2009 is here!!

Woohoo!! I love Hope Day! It gives me a chance to see you all and catch up a little on what's going on with you. It also gives me that excitement boost I need to jump start my school year. Coming together as one body of home schoolers really helps me to see that I am not alone in my endeavor to teach my children. It is a time of information, resources, and great deals on used curriculum! I trust that it helps you every year, too.

For all the information you need for Hope Day 2009, visit the HCS main blog here. As always, I am available if you have questions. Just email me or give me a call at 240-2362.

Praying for each of you. See you Thursday!!