What a Cultural weekend!

Last week Timothy Power over at Sometimes I'm Actually Coherent posted on the ever popular subject of socialization. He covered some excellent ground, so go read it for yourself. I particularly appreciated his closing thoughts. If we homeschool parents assert that our children end up much more well-rounded because of the breadth and diversity of their experiences, then we therefore must step up to the plate and give them those experiences. In his words:

"We must expose them to the real world, and show them how it works. We must get our kids involved in the community if we are to give them the experiences and perspective they need. "

And that's the hard part. Because that means we have to find opportunities (especially those of us with "young 'uns") and then work them into the schedule, provide transportation, chaperone, facilitate, etc etc etc. Who's got that kind of time?!?

To whit, let me tell you about our world last weekend. Note: this is not a "normal" weekend by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, we're still so tired it may be a decade or so until we do it again. But, some variation on this theme will certainly occur soon.

Friday: DW is on several Atlanta-area homeschool list serves and gets regular emails about special Homeschool events. A few weeks ago she got one we actually took advantage of. Homeschool night at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, with tickets on $5.00 each. Did you see that? $5.00!!! So, Friday night we were in downtown Atlanta to hear the ASO perform Chopin and Berlioz (magnificent). Downside: we didn't get home until 11:40 pm.

Saturday AM: DD1 and DD2 are both Brownies (DW is the troop leader). Every year, the Brownie troop marches in our local town's Fall Festival parade. That happened to be Saturday morning. So up and out we go at 8:45 to go march in the parade. (The Boy and I watched and caught copious amounts of candy)

Saturday PM: After badly needed naps all around, we ate dinner and then headed down to our church for a concert by an Atlanta-area children's choir. They were fantastic. The kids liked this even better than the symphony. The upside: church is only 4 minutes from home; we were home by 9:00.

Sunday AM: Everyone up and out to Sunday School where I took my monthly turn teaching The Boy's class (singlehandedly wrangling 8 three- and four- year olds, thank you very much; thank goodness no one needed to go potty!). I vaguely remember the lesson being about Samuel and Saul, but quite honestly I don't know how much actually got covered with the youngsters. But they DID have a snack. Some things aren't negotiable. After church and lunch, a quick nap and then some 1 on 1 music practice with DD1 because . . .

Sunday PM: We drove baaaaack into Atlanta (50+ miles one way) to attend a covered dish dinner, dessert auction, and beginning of the year concert for DD1's children's choir (not the same one as last night, in case you're paying attention). In a middle school cafeteria. With no appreciable source of air conditioning. Crowded into an over-heated room with hundreds of other people, eating extremely random samplings from the buffet (some tasty, some not-so-much), paying $48 for $5 worth of dessert in a silent auction. Having fun yet? But, we did get to see and hear DD1 sing in her first concert. There's a mastercard commercial in there some where (priceless). And all three kids loved seeing and hearing other kids performing.

We're still tired, but the kids are still talking about various parts of the weekend. The Boy really liked the Stringed Basses (symphony). DD2 loved it when the Saturday night childrens choir sang "When You Wish Upon A Star". DD1 was so proud of herself for performing like a big kid.

It's hard work, but it's worth it.