Homeschool Winter Formal

When we lived in Michigan, we were one family out of a handful of homeschoolers. 

In Indiana, we live near a small city.  If I were to guess, I would say that there are several hundred homeschooling families here.  (Someone local correct me if I'm way off base.)  There are lots of opportunities for kids to be involved, if the families so choose:  Drama teams, orchestra ensembles, foreign languages, literature clubs, field trips, play groups, lego clubs, etc.  So much for that old theory that home-schooled children have no opportunities for socialization or social interaction!  :)

We have so many different ages within our family, and differing interests and work schedules, that we haven't signed up for very many of the offerings.  So much to do, so little time!   Some of our kids play softball in the summer with a "mostly" homeschooled group of families, and the kids who are old enough are involved with a monthly literature club.  They get together at the community center/gym afterwards to skate, play games, and just be together.

One event that my older kids have enjoyed attending over the last two years is the homeschool formal.  It is hosted twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall.  There is  a formal dinner and often, a time for varying types of dance instruction, just for fun.   Last time, I think it was country line dancing.  This year, the winter formal offered a little instruction in ballroom dancing, and the evening was topped off with a limo ride and black-light volleyball.  The kids came home saying they had a blast.  

All in all, it's just good, clean fun.  It offers the young people an opportunity to get out and be together, to dress up and interact in a non-threatening, friendly way. 

Here's Emily.  She's a freshman this year.  She's not much of a frou frou girl, but we had a lot of fun putting together her outfit and getting her ready to go.

Jake has already graduated, but recent graduates are welcomed too.  (I think he's beginning to look like a college professor already.)  You can't see his tie, but it is covered with little green "Grinches."    I would have had a picture of them together, but they took each other's photograph before they raced out of the door.