Getting out there...

Today's topic is "Getting Out There" and we're to talk about "extra-curricular activities, community involvement, volunteering, sports teams, music lessons, making sure your kids have opportunities to be social, co-ops, etc., etc., etc..."



The one thing I hate the most, as I'm sure most all homeschoolers do, is being asked the blasted question about socialization. UGH! GIVE...ME...A...BREAK! All people have to do is say one thing to any of my children and they will be able to tell right away that our children have not been 'held hostage' with no social interaction. In fact, they'll probably be sorry they got them talking because they will have a hard time getting them to stop!



Fear not, well-meaning (or not) friends and family. Our kids are not lacking any social interaction. Here are just some of the outside activities our kids have been involved in over the years.



First and foremost, there are 15 grandchildren on Sweetie's side of the family and all of them (except the oldest) live right here in our town. All but the two oldest attend the same church and Sunday School! Their ages you ask? 11 (girl), 8 (girl), 8 (boy), 7 (boy), 7 (boy), 7 (boy), 6 (boy), 5 (girl), 5 (girl), 4 (girl), 4 (girl), 4 (girl), 2 (boy). Holidays, especially Christmas, at Papaw and Granny's is very fun... and VERY busy!



We are a church-going family, so naturally they have all been in Sunday School ever since they were wee little babies. They've also been part of (or still are involved in) Children's Church, youth choir, Bible School, singing at the nursing home, and Keepers At Home through our church.



A few years ago the boys played Wee Ball and Coach Pitch baseball. For the past two years they have played Upward Basketball while the girls did Upward Cheerleading. Baby Girl has also done gymnastics and hopes to do so again soon.



Just this past week the boys started football practice. This is a new adventure for all of us and we're very excited about it. Handsome will be playing Jr. Tackle and Reece Cup will be playing Flag Football. So far, they both LOVE it! I can already tell that I'm going to be one of those loud cheering football mommas! *blush* Both girls will also be cheering again. This is through the Optimist club and they're playing with mostly public schooled kids and doing great. Doesn't bother them one bit!



Just this past January Baby Girl auditioned for her first public play (The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe) at the local high school and was one of 30 (out of 90!) that got a part! She did great and made so many great friends. They were together 4 days a week for two hours at a time for three months and then everyday, all day long the week of the performances. She hopes to try out again for the next play when the time comes.



All of our children have been in our church's Christmas and Easter plays, which involve singing, acting, and reading Scripture and all love it and have done great. In fact, baby girl has had a leading role in our last two plays (and no, I'm not the director...LOL).



We were part of a homeschool co-op for a couple of weeks a few years ago, but because Princess was little and cried the entire two hours both weeks, we decided to wait until the next semester to re-join. Unfortunately the co-op had disbanded by then. We now get together with a group of homeschoolers to do different things throughout the year.



And that, in a nutshell, is what we do to make sure our kids are well-socialized. Phew!