WHY DO WE DO FAMILY EXPO?

Just about every year around this time I start to question our decision to produce Family Expo. A two day event which we prepare for almost nine months of the year. Our families become blurs in the weeks heading up to the show, and we both wake up many nights with panic stricken "Did we forget" thoughts which lead to many sleepless nights. Besides Family Expo we have other jobs - my sister currently is working a full time contract for our Provincial Gov't and I manage rental properties and marketing for my husband's photography business. We have several volunteer roles which definitely take a back burner in the coming weeks. Why do we do it? Because it does good work. Kids have fun with their families, families get to spend a day together, people learn in a welcoming atmosphere,so for just a few headaches we put on a pretty great show. Sometimes the good we do becomes lost in the chaos that it takes to get us there. I guess that is ok, but it seems we should enjoy the ride more and worry less if there will be a disaster when we get there. Do you have to continue telling yourself you do good work? Is this a female thing?

RON CLARK IS COMING

For many kids school can be sometimes an interference in their already important lives. I am sure I went through that sometimes, but for the most part I loved going to school. I loved the class discussion, social interaction and most of my teachers. Of course I had some crappy ones - ones that read directly from the text book the whole period, ones that had an Irish accents and were teaching French, ones that only survived half the year and needed a "vacation". Sure I have some good stories about Teachers Gone Bad, but more importantly I had so many that motivated, cared and mentored me. There was Ms. MacNeil - Grade 4 Coxheath Elementary - just out of Teachers College. She was a delight. She smiled, laughed, raised our preverbial bar, and we responded with one heck of shower when we found out she was pregnant. Oh yes, Ms. Dicks ( no really that was her name) - Grade 6 stylish, contemporary and project oriented. The guys loved her and the girls wanted to be her. She got us ready for junior high, even through the hormonal stuggle we were all facing. Mrs. Sheppard - Grade 11 Math. I convinced myself I sucked at Math in Grade 8 (that story is for another blog) and it was the Mrs. Sheppard with her Math Bone that made me exit high school with a passing grade and some dignity. Most of all I have to say my favorite teacher was Archie Risk - Grade 7 Social Studies. His classroom embodied respect, equality, firmness and warmth. Quizes everyday, exciting projects, high expectations and above all love, which at the tender age of 13 is not always received very well. What I am trying to say is that besides parenting, this is probably the most important vocation and avocation. Anyone can get an education degree if they put their mind to it. Anyone can go through the motions, follow the curriculum and pick up their cheque. But some teachers change our lives, I mean it, they sculpt who we are to become. Ron Clark is this kind of teacher.If you want to be inspired, if you want to inspire your child's teacher, if you are a teacher and want to be recharged - Come see Ron Clark!Bring your child's teacher, Bring your friends and family May 30 at Exhibition Park 5:30 to 7 pm. For more information visit www.familyexpo.ca

FAMILY EXPO

I can't believe it was almost seven years ago that my sister and I started thinking about Family Expo. Now as we celebrate our fifth year it is truly bitter sweet. This year we have the best speakers and the best line up of entertainment and with all the odds against us it seems like it could be our best to date. The bitter is that in the excitement, we are dealing with the illness of our father. What keeps us going is hearing in the back of our minds, his many words of advice over the years - "complete the job, do the best you can, what is the worst that can happen, we are here for you". Words of advice taken so loosely when given to us and then cherished so much in our memories. My sister and I will complete the job. We will do the best that we can. Together we can do it. We know our friends and family are here for us. What is the best piece of advice your family has given you? Have you passed it on?