August 29 was our annual FHE Kick Off picnic at Horizons Park, with well over 150 folks atten-ding. There were display tables of educational materials to buy, swap, or take for free. And are we color-coded or what? In keeping with the purple FHE T-shirts from last year (thanks to Jenny Speed) we pulled in the purple and while color theme.

We had a huge spread of picnic goodies--there was more food than people to eat it all! Thanks everyone! Then the FHE volunteer staff was introduced.

Ruben Morales jumped into his new presidential duties with a run down of activities and workshops (even while sporting a large pair of neon sunglasses with a clown nose attached.)

Kids were everywhere! There were a board game table with a steady audience and a teen table nearby in the shade with a lot of talking and squealing. The sandlot was full of muddy, yet creative diggers. And of course, the cushioned playground is always a hit for little sweaty sweeties.

Parents chatted of summer deeds and homeschool "do dads" long after the munchies and such were packed away. It was a great time of reunion -- reacquainting the names with the faces and of meeting new homeschoolers.

May we all have a very special year of home schooling - prosperous in academics and richly blessed of the Lord.

Hey, and next year, Lord willing, look forward to some good ol' sack and relay racing, water games (with water balloons) and an egg toss or two!