Homeschooling Outdoors

This is my absolute most favorite time of year, here in Florida. It is warm, but not too warm, and being outside is not uncomfortable. No bugs, no snakes, well mostly no snakes. We did see a Water Moccasin sunning itself on a big log, but we were nowhere near it. We used to do outdoor homeschooling all the time. Then, when my son hit is Junior and Senior year, it just became almost impossible with the amount of time needed to do his school work. He is a Senior this year, but has a much better control of his time spent on classes, plus he needs volunteer hours. Even though we volunteer all the time, I often forget to get signatures, so it doesn't really help. Take that into consideration if you are logging volunteer hours. Get the forms signed. Anyway he is volunteering every other Thursday. So, Caitlin and I get to explore some of our local springs while we wait for him to finish. So many things to see and learn about. I have missed our Outdoor Homeschooling days. So peaceful and relaxing. We always try to learn something new, either about the spring we are visiting, things that go on there, such as diving, wildlife, or plants. This week we are just going to the springs for fun, no school, just fun. Can't wait. When we get towards the end of the school year, I am plenty ready to relax, lol.

Planning A Homeschool Graduation: Step 3

I have moved on to step 3 of planning our homeschool graduation. This morning I ordered his cap and gown, in the school colors he chose. I used this website.   Our long distance invites have been sent out, and a general event page has been created on FB.  Today, or tomorrow I will work on the rest of the invites that need to be mailed.  The others will be hand delivered. If I don't complete it this week, next week I hope to have the ceremony program created. 

Everything is happening so fast now.  I also applied for the FAFSA, and started gathering what he needs to apply to college.  I created his wood burned money/gift box, I will share that next week, as it needs to be stained.  I also found a huge, heavy lovely glass mug, at the dollar tree, and am going to etch something funny on it, and have it for people to put coins or one dollar bills in.  I should have that done next week, also.

If you would like me to create a wood burned keepsake box for your graduate, leave me a comment, or visit my Etsy shop to see the one created for my son, and place a custom order there. 

After researching many catering websites, we have decided to buy a warmer, and do hot dogs, and a couple of salads for food.  It is just so much more frugal to do that way. 

Planning A Homeschool Graduation Step 2

It has been about a month since I last posted, and that is about right for the next step.  While we are still undecided on what to do with food, want to keep it affordable, but not where we are spending the whole day cooking. 

So, step 2 is doing the invitations.  We decided to do our own pictures, and create the invitations.  How much more homeschooled is that?  DJ and his girlfriend had a ball taking the pics, and then choosing which ones they liked best.  Of course I had the last say.  I let him pick one, and me pick one.  We did them on card stock, instead of photo paper, because it was more affordable, and I am not real sure people keep them anyways.  We ordered 40 invites, with envelopes, and it only cost 33 dollars with shipping.  Since we are frugal, we will have a FB invite for family and friends who don't need, or want an actual invitation.  That was also created, but no invites sent yet.  DJ did his invites in his school colors, royal blue, and silver, the red is just the tablecloth on my dining room table.  We put RSVP info on the back.  Since our church is a huge part of our family, and where the ceremony will be, we will post one invite there, and it will be in the announcements.  Easy peasy this step was. 

Next step is to create a program for the ceremony.  I will share that when it is done.  Plus, I have his wooden box for cards, and money, that I need to draw his theme on and wood burn.  Again, I hope that will be soon.  I probably will order his cap and gown soon, just so I am sure to get it in time.  We also have to book the pavilion at the springs, so there is no mad dash to get one.

Planning A Homeschool Graduation Step One

So, my oldest is graduating in 2018. Back in the Summer I jotted down some things I needed to research, but now it is time to get going, and planning. I will be posting about this journey, as it will be a learning experience for all of us. Since I have another child that will graduate in 4 years, this will be a plethora of info for me. I hope it will go smooth.

So, what should be step one? In my mind step one should be picking the date, and the venues for both the ceremony, and the party. We actually completed this step, this week. We looked at all our options, including the big Homeschool Graduation that FPEA puts on each year, and since we didn't see that one working for us, we have decided to have a small ceremony at our church. I have asked both pastors if they could do the ceremony, more on that later, just in case one was not available. Both said yes, so that is awesome. So, that is the venue for the ceremony. Since it is our church, it is free, but we will give a love offering to the church as a thank you for their generosity.

Picking the date was a little trickier. Since graduation isn't technically until May, for most schools in our area, but in early May is Shrek the musical, which my son is playing Shrek. That is 3 days gone in the first weekend of May. Plus it is Mother's Day, another weekend used, and I am back to working at least every Sunday, and some Saturdays. So, with all that said, we decided to have it in April. He will be going on his last youth retreat the last weekend in April, yep another snafu. So, we will be doing it the 3rd Saturday in April. Why is it so important to set the date so early? Because most of our family lives out of state, and they need time to plan, so they can come if they want to, and some are.

Now for the party venue. Most people would probably rent a hall, or have it at their home. We considered all that, but DJ loves the idea of having it at the springs. Since it is warm by April people can swim, but not too warm where the bugs will be awful, or melt from heat. I hope the Love Bugs won't be out yet. Ugh, didn't think of that. Oh well date is already set. Now, I have to post it to FB so out of state family will know ahead of time. It is too early to send invites, so this will suffice for now. DJ decided he wanted to have the party at Gilchrist Blue Springs state park. It is affordable for people to get into, and lots to do, with covered pavilions and picnic tables. It is a beautiful park, and just was made a state park.

Are you planning a homeschool graduation? Share your thoughts.