Hi all!  We have been brainstorming how we can celebrate our homeschool, how we can include our family and friends in our homeschool, etc. In the process of this several suggestions came up here are two of the best ones that we are thinking seriously of committing to next year:

What if we had a homeschool holiday?
A day of celebrating each other. A  day specificially set aside to pray for one another, to stand up and say something wonderfully positive about the others in our lives. To create homeschool crafts, bake cookies or cake and have a wonderful celebration of being a homeschool family. Playing board games, reading a long story together. Of course this is life for most of us homeschoolers we do these things but never a full complete day usually - so why not take off, schedule a holiday specifically designed and created for our children and school.  This was a suggestion of one of our dear ones.

Another thing that was suggested was hosting  an open house that would include light refreshments and homemade snacks. Inviting grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins,  and close friends. Have on display  big projects, special writing assignments, art projects, field trip and homeschool class photo's, have a short skit, song, dance  or play instruments for guests.   A evening of getting together but also of educating others (who may or may not support homeschooling) of all the wonderful things our homeschooling offers. 

We have discovered several of our extended family and friends who were not pro-homeschooling have become lead to favoring or at least supporting us in our homeschooling efforts after simply knowing we have the children in curriculum. Some people just do not realize that they offer books and a variety of educational opportunities geared just to homeschooled children.

The open house idea has made a big splash with all our children. The children want to design invitations and decorate. I believe this is a wonderful opportunity for the children to showcase some individual talents. Our extended  family all attend public or private schools so their children have a host of events that grandparents and other family attend. Our children do not really have any of these special events, with the exception of dance and soccer for some. So this would include all the children and the whole family.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated - fill free to leave suggestive entries. We are up for suggestions in putting in more fun, celebrating and educating others into the new year.

Have a wonderful day!