Trip wrap-up

We spend our holiday time at unschooling gatherings for too many reasons to document. Best check out what he said. Here are some post euphoric-conference ramblings...

- During the conference, Effie was a peripatetic wonder - always on the move. I think she was looking for Jayn?
- Fergus took hours, each day, to get himself to a comfortable state amongst the crowds of people. He also seemed to thrive on wandering and at times it appeared he would have been happiest simply running a groove in the carpet from our room to Max and Otto’s room next door, to the elevator, down to the vending machines and back. But then there were the times when he and Max went boulder hunting (they had many, many lengthy discussions about rocks, the moon and lava!) as well as the times the two of them relentlessly pursued squirrels. He also engaged in an equally relentless pursuit of his sister and Daniel. So, no sitting quietly in funshops for him then. Until, as it turned out, the dance. While everyone was shaking about (some crazier than others!), he sat in a room intently watching some kids play Nintendo Pokemon.
- The Fergus draws the attention of teens, pre-teens, adults, etc. Gemma, Story, Qacei, MJ, Chloe, Madeline, Ducky and a whole load of adults in particular, attempted over and over again to engage him. For this they were rewarded either with a sneer, a frown or a playful, laughter-filled (though power-packed) jab with any number of his flailing limbs. And he has several it turns out. But Gemma saying “hi Fergus” on day 4 after countless rejections on days 1 through 3… that’s why we hang with these people.
- Three fourths of our family combined with Martin and his wee ukulele to sing a song at the talent show. I thought I was the one massively going against type until Effie decided to join in at the last moment. Comments from the MASSIVE crowd included: “the ukulele was in tune”. Though the event was recorded by Rachel, it shall not make THE video. If anyone finds me a gold lame suit, I guarantee even more laughs next time around.
- While the three of us wowed the masses, the fourth member of our family was reportedly off in the corner attacking some teenagers.
- Fergus has discovered that he gets car sick. He now somehow manages to eat, in his car seat, with a vomit bag pressed to his lips. He takes his responsibilities seriously.
- We got to go to a real live Lego store with the Chicagologians.
- We spent 10 straight days with those Chicagolinos and could have done 20.
- For a full 45 minutes, in the heat, at an Obama rally, with 69,999 cool people at my side, I actually pined to be American. Well, not actually “pined”, maybe “longed”? Yearned? Suffice to say, He was that good.
- Gillian shone. Brightly.
- And now, in withdrawal we wallow.
- Erm, withdrawal from our friends that is, not Gillian shining brightly. She always does. I’ll stop now.




This weekend’s agenda is pretty straight forward: make French fries, eat French fries, play Zelda, watch Monarch of the Glen, go to the Circus, sleep. And make and eat pancakes - finally (Vancouver, WA could never - by the way - be confused as the pancake capital of anywhere).