Cherry Pie Day

I was the only one able to make it to Cherry Pie Day this year (once again)! Some friends of ours were kind enough to give me a ride. 

For those of you who don't know, Cherry Pie Day (also called Capitol Day or Legislative Day) is when homeschoolers from all over the state come to Springfield and deliver pies to our legislators to thank them for our homeschooling freedoms. We are not to ask them for anything when we go to drop of the pies; we're just there to thank them for their service and for the freedom that we enjoy. 

It means a lot to our legislators that we go down there in person to thank them for our freedom. If you're a homeschooler, I seriously encourage you to go down next year and bring cherry pies! You will make a difference... and it's also a lot of fun. ;) Even if you are not a homeschooler, do be informed about your legislation, and contact your senator or representative if you have concerns or suggestions or just thanks. The speakers today said over and over how influential letters and in-person meetings are to our legislators. It's vital that we let them know what we want so that they can serve us better. That's exactly how our government is set up, so we need to take advantage of it! :) 

Our schedule

The Capitol building

In the Rotunda

Kalei :)

Getting ready for singing 

Getting ready to listen to the speeches 

Another photographer :D

During one of the speeches

Meeting our Senator, Kyle McCarter

There were a lot more cherry pies than people to deliver them, so our group split up and delivered at least two each. Ben, Larissa, and I had a little "adventure" when one of the senators we had to deliver a pie to was in a different building than the one that we were told, so we had to ask for directions several times, run up and down stairs, through the tunnels, etc. until we finally found his office. :)

I did take several videos... one of the National Anthem sung by all the attending homeschoolers, and several of the (very short) speeches in the Howlett Auditorium.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL01ED5A55607DF436&feature=mh_lolz