Home School Conference

Every year we attend a home school conference for the kids to get their IOWA testing done. Normally, only the homeschoolers and the teacher (AKA: Mom) attend. However, this year was a special year in that the whole family was invited to attend. In addition, this was the final year for the conference to be held at a family resort here in the Philippines that we have all come to love. Because there are so few homeschoolers here in the Philippines now, our conference will be combining with another one in Thailand, starting next year.
The conference was a success in every way. Mikayla did well on her tests (Zach will start testing next year), and we had an absolute blast together as a family. We also got to re-connect with some old friends as well as make some new ones.

A team of volunteers came from a church in the States to proctor the kids' testing and to do special activities with them - and with us adults. Each of them was such a blessing to us, and we praise God for their willingness to serve in this way. Here are some of our kids' teachers for the week; our kids got really close with them - Mikayla was in tears at the end of the week when she had to say goodbye.

The kids got to participate in "Speakers Theater" as well as "Learners' Showcase". For Speakers Theater, they sang "There's a Hole in my Bucket" together then Mikayla performed two very dramatic poems - she loves to be on stage! Everyone asked us who she gets it from...we don't know! Zach did really well too, and it proved to be a great experience for both of them.

For the Learners Showcase, they did a presentation on their new skill - wakeboarding! They had a blast showing everyone all they have learned.

We also brought a home-made "indo board" for them to demonstrate how they practice their balance.

On the last night, the kids put on a presentation for us adults. They had a great time learning some new songs during the week then showing what they had learned.

Sheer concentration...

On the final day, the kids participated in an outreach day. The older ones went to a deaf school a couple hours away, but the younger ones hosted some new Filipino friends from the local community. They did games, songs, and crafts together and just tried to show them God's love. Here are Mikayla and Zach's friends for the day. The kids had testing every morning and a couple classes in the early afternoon, but then we had a couple hours of free time every afternoon. One afternoon, Steve and the kids tackled the towering rock wall. Everyone was amazed at how well they can climb - Zach in particular since he is so small. They had a blast going all the way to the top over and over.
Another afternoon the kids got to ride horses! This was a first for Ben for any real distance, and he did great with it.
What do you get when you combine tarps, a hill, some dish soap and crazy kids? A gigantic Slip 'N Slide! The kids had a blast on this - though you could never tell from the expressions the camera caught on Ben's face! He looks miserable, but he just kept going back for more and still talks about how much fun he had that day. Zach tried it once, but the day was pretty chilly, and Zach is not a fan of being cold so he decided to watch instead. The other little boy you see is Caleb, their friend from down here who also attended the conference.

Fun with new friends!
Mikayla is growing up so fast! She is such a blessing to our family.
There is a "crow's nest" up above the roof that has a spectacular view.
BROTHERS!

Our family had a wonderful time at the home school conference, and we are so thankful for all those who worked so hard to make it happen. We are also so thankful to be part of an organization that puts such an emphasis on family and the well-being of our children. We praise God for His goodness.