April '09 Vacation Pictures-Day 3

Day 3 of our trip saw us heading out to our river boat ride. We traveled Cape Fear River on the Henrietta III.

This picture was actually taken on Day 1 when we were at the picnic area next to the Battleship. We got a nice shot of the boat as it was going by. The boat travels right up near the Battleship so passengers can get a nice view of it as well. If you look at the 3rd story of the boat, you can see a group of school kids that waved to us as they went by.

The Captain was speaking during the tour but I couldn't really hear anything he said, so if we passed something interesting, I don't know about it. There's not much in particular to see. However, this rescue boat put on quite a show for all of us. They had all their sprayers going in all different directions. I heard one of the kids wondering whether or not those guys on board were getting wet. I'd say yes. LOL

The relaxing nature of the ride allowed our little ones to form their circle. They chit chatted amongst themselves for most of the ride. The conversations they had were quite interesting and revealing all throughout the trip.

After the boat ride our family headed back to the Civil War Museum on Ft. Fisher. We had promised Pooh a return trip so that he could finish seeing all that interested him.

Here are all the boys trying to push the big turn thingy that a canon is on. (No, I don't know the technical terms of these things. I was hot, tired, and frankly, a little bored of all the civil war stuff.) That's one large, heavy piece of machinery.

Next we headed to the trail by the aquarium. The sign said a bike trail so we hopped on our bikes and took off. I think the trail was only about 300 ft before it stopped. I was so upset! Talk about false advertising!!! So the redeeming value were the ponds on the trail. We startled some bullfrogs who got quiet as soon as we got there. But I did manage to get a photo of this dude hanging out on the bird box. This area must be full of snakes. We almost ran over a black rat snake with our bikes too!

Off to the beach again! This time with more sun. Tigger spent a lot of time going back and forth between sand play and water play. His facial expressions are always a hoot. I have some with his tongue hanging out. Some with him stomping through his sand creations like Stitch did in the movie Lilo and Stitch. He's a bit of a wild child with snuggles and kisses all rolled in.

Having a blast with his water board in the waves.

"Hey, Mommy. Did you see me? I'm having a great time in the waves."

Pooh has already captured a few female hearts with his big brown eyes. Mine is one of them. ;D

Up from where we were on the beach was a fishing pier. They let us go on there free since we weren't going to fish. One of the fisherman was cutting up his catch in the sink area provided. Perched right near him was a pelican. When the fisherman noticed my fascination with the bird (I was taking shots like a madwoman!) he started tossing bits of fish to the bird. What fun! and such a great thing for the boys to be able to experience. (Me Too!)

These birds are so much bigger than you'd think. Just the size of their feet are amazing. They are also more colorful than this photo shows. Under its beak is an amazing olive green color. Combine that with the other colors and the light blue of it's eyes and you have one beautiful bird. I grew up in Florida but this was the closest I had ever gotten to a pelican. I was impressed.

Evidently some sting rays had swum past and one was caught by a boy on the pier. He left it to die there. I wasn't happy. I asked--he wasn't going to eat it or throw it back or anything. It always gets me how some people can be surrounded by nature and beautiful things and show no appreciation for them.

Seagull footprints in the sand. Something I don't see in my part of the country.

And here are a flock of the culprits.

Back at camp. This is our tent. It held up pretty well. There was light rain the first night and no one got wet, so I consider that a success. The vestibule area on this one is great. I hung towels from there and we had a nice dry area to keep some of the bags so they didn't have to be all inside the sleeping area. The D-door is GREAT! So easy to open and easy to get in and out of.

The campground had a life size chess set that the kids had a fun time with. (These two turned out to be best buds.)

A group volleyball game in progress.

Girl time at the swings.

Our homeschool group has lots of activities we do during the year. However, this trip took them beyond some of those activities. They were relaxed and had a chance to chill out together. They talked, explored, collected wood and roasted marshmallows together. Before the trip was even over, several of the parents requested we do it again even without the field trip stuff. Just to hang out together and enjoy good association. We will hopefully be putting something else together soon. Plans are beginning already for the next school year.

Try camping with some families in your area. You'll have a blast and so will the kids.

April '09 Vacation Pictures-Day 2

After a camp breakfast of pancakes prepared by one of our moms, we headed to the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. We were able to receive FREE admission! It's something that the aquarium will provide to state homeschoolers one time a year. Cool, huh?!?

Our group entering the aquarium.

The Wood Duck. Proof that God is the greatest artist.

Special effect photo. Two turtles and one reflection.

Happy stingrays. They were actually bouncing up and down against the glass. I figured they were happy. ;D

Tigger gets some instruction on holding and touching a horseshoe crab.

Young sea turtle. Once again, a nice reflection.

The divers went into the big tank to scrape algae.

The Hammerhead Shark goes pretty fast by the viewing windows.

Pooh's favorite drinks are Dr. Pepper and Root Beer. He paid for his own soda from a machine. A first on all counts.

Tigger goofing around as usual. I guess the frog needed a little sugar boost.

Up next, another bout of history for Pooh as we visit the Ft. Fisher Civil War Museum. This is free to the public. We only had time to tour the actual museum on this day. On Day 3 we returned to tour the grounds and see one of the battlements that was built.

This canon is outside the front of the museum.

Enclosed in glass is a model of the battle at Ft. Fisher. You press a button and it tells you the story along with certain areas lighting up with the explanations. Pooh found it fascinating.

Later that evening we visited the beach where Pooh and Tigger didn't let the cold water get in the way of their enjoyment.

Pooh loves putting boats in the water and watching the waves crash over them.

Getting late. Time to head home for a nice camp dinner and warm fire.

April '09 Vacation Pictures-Day 1

Here is a long-awaited post about our April vacation. Really, it was a field trip to Wilmington, NC organized by one of the moms in our homeschool group. The purpose of going was to see an aquarium and take a river boat ride. Good reason, no??

Out of the six families that went, 3 camped in tents, two in cabins and one stayed in a hotel.
Here is a peek at our camp life-the first time we've ever camped as a family outside of our yard.

Tigger looks nice and cozy.

The King impersonating a pack mule--ie collecting wood.

Pooh chillin' by the fire with some nice hot tea.

We arrived a day earlier than the other families. We turned this into a little family vacation because we knew there were other things the boys would love to do. They've never been to Wilmington before and frankly, the only thing I've ever done there is hit the beach.

So the first day's agenda went like this:

First off, the Battleship North Carolina. You knew that was coming, right? Yes, a huge history lesson right up Pooh's alley. Model ships everywhere. A really huge ship to explore. It even had a plane on it. LOL

Here are the boys on the anchor. Yes! that's the anchor!!! That was my favorite part. ;D

The model ships were pretty cool too. They had all the tiny men on them and all the guns were depicted. (Not crazy about how mean these things are.)

We watched the movie they had there about the history of the ship. It was so funny that we were there when a large tour group of elderly people came. Ours were the only kids sitting in the movie room and were just as enthralled as they could be. The older ones got a kick out of it.

The rest of the day you could say was devoted to nature study. We didn't plan that, it just sort of happened. After the ship tour, we sat at the picnic tables beside the Cape Fear River and had lunch.

The seagulls enjoyed lunch as well. Another first for the boys, feeding seagulls.

We had a visitor. A tent caterpillar.

Not too far from where we parked, a killdeer had nested. She had one egg she was sitting on. Aren't her colors beautiful?

Here it is: white with brown speckles, right beside the brown leaf. Can you see it?

We didn't do this, but had to get the shot for the boys. This is how some tour downtown Wilmington.

Next up was the Cape Fear Serpentarium. Warning: If you go, they only take cash. This place is really cool, although the guys running it weren't exactly overly friendly. Maybe it's being around all those snakes all day. Anyway, we saw some fascinating creature. All sorts of vipers, pythons, anacondas, alligators, crocodiles and the saltwater croc too!

This picture doesn't do justice to the amazing yellow color.

These Asian Spitting Vipers (if i remember correctly) were mating while we were there. It was cool! I know, I'm weird. But it's not like you really see anything. LOL Basically, the female laid around and the male squirmed all around her over and over again. She would then move away and the male would follow her and the process would repeat. Sounds pretty typical to me. ;D

This crocodile actually stayed in this exact position the whole time we were there. Mouth open and everything. You could almost be conned into thinking he wasn't real, except he was in a glass enclosure AND if you got right up to him, you could see at the back of his throat a little movement from his breathing. No wonder animals get eaten!

And finally, my very favorite place of the day-Airlie Gardens. I figured since the boys had drug me around all over the place looking at boy stuff, they could drag around behind me looking at my stuff. They had a nice time despite themselves. It would have been better had Pooh not been tired from all the previous walking, but he rallied and enjoyed seeing some of the animals we spotted. Like this:

Canada Geese and their babies.

I've always loved it when old trees grow like this. Makes you want to haul out an old quilt and have a picnic.

A highlight were these swans with their babies. They were so sweet. I just happened to spot them through the trees. You had to go a little off the beaten path to see them. I'm frequently off the beaten path in more ways than one. LOL

It kind of looks like a daffodil in this picture, but it's not. I don't really know what it is because the little sign had been worn off. In the center is a completely enclosed thing that looks like a big flower bud. Anyone have an idea??

This beautiful structure was made entirely out of wire and glass bottles. The wonder of recycling.

My most fabulous find ever! I followed a very strange bird call that I just KNEW had to be something good. Sure enough: an Osprey! I was able to get right up under it and zoom in. You can't see it in these photos but he had caught a nice fish from the river right next to here. Isn't he beautiful?

Well, that's it for day one. I have lots of photos but I'm bringing you the highlights. Since I took about 400 photos all together I figured I better be pretty judicious about what I chose for the blog. LOL

A Nature Study Giveaway!

Visit these two blogs to get more info on a new project they've begun: Our Journey Westward and In the Sparrow's Nest. They have combined forces to create a great resource for Nature Study. They are also offering some copies of their work in a giveaway contest, so head on over there pronto and get in on the action!

As a mom who dreams of one day having a Nature Club, these would be a valuable resource in achieving that.

Yes, That Was Me

I was only out for one hour. One measly little hour. And somehow we still became a spectacle.

Enter store to look for shirts suitable for pirate costumes. Find some. Decide to look through the books for some goodies. Found Moby Dick, a couple of great field guides and some others. Get ready to check out. Warn the boys three times (get that? 3x!) not to mess with the bikes beside the checkout counter.

Hear the crash. Turn around to find Tigger covered with a wall hanging system designed for hanging dresses. Why? Because he got on the exercise bike. (3X!!!)

Crying and embarrassment ensue. (almost by us both) I fix the mess. Pay for purchases. Leave the store hoping the next time I return it'll be a different cashier.

Yes, that was me at Goodwill today. And yes, it must be time to start a new habit. OBEDIENCE! Although, I daresay, a little someone may have just learned his lesson today.

Birding

Just a quick post to check out the redesigned All About Birds website. They included some nice how to videos on bird identification.

(We've been back from vacation for almost two weeks now. I'm still recovering. This is also our busy time with our homeschool co-op. I have to finish some pirate costumes, practice lines/song/jokes, and keep up with all my other stuff at home. The garden weeds have started taking over! I'm also preparing to go to a homeschool conference book fair at the end of the month and making sure I know what I want to buy before I get there. I took lots of pics on vacation and will load some of them eventually with some cool things we got to see. In the meantime, take care!)

A Lot Going On

Things have been very busy around here lately.

Friday we had Drama practice, a Co-Op Athletic event and Art. Saturday was our annual 'Mommy Meeting' for our homeschool group where we get together to discuss next year's activities. Ever since then, we've been getting ready to leave for a field trip/vacation.

We're headed to Wilmington, NC. One of our field trip moms organized a river boat ride and a day at an aquarium at Ft. Fisher. The boys are very excited. We're leaving this afternoon so as to have a couple of free days to enjoy ourselves.

I had hoped to leave a couple of reading goodies for you while gone, but that didn't happen. So, I'll be taking lots of photos and will get things back on track when I return.

Have a great week everyone!

Flower Study-Tulips

We've done our first real flower study this year. I picked tulips first because I was afraid if I waited too long, they would be gone. They are petering out this week so I think my choice was a good one.

This time around for our nature study we got started as soon as our bible reading was done. I think that when we've done it in the past, (in the afternoon) it's difficult because they are just ready to play, not be outside for nature study. So, getting them going in between readings seemed to help.

We started in the house reading the pages on tulips from the Handbook of Nature Study. The main thing we discussed this time was pistils and stamens. This was learning for me as well because its just something I've never paid any attention to before. I didn't even know about the sticky stuff on the end of the pistil! First grade science to the rescue! LOL I also have a little set of books about common questions kids ask and there was a page on stamens and pistils so we went over that.

Then it was on to the real life stuff! This is an earlier photo I had taken of the tulip. It has one pistil and six stamens. A very fancy pistil if I may say so. Very swirly looking and alluring saying "Come and pollinate me please". For more photos of all the flower parts, you can Google 'flower sex organs' and get some nice diagrams of all the different parts. Here's a nice one that is easy for me to look at and learn a thing or two. One of the tulips had already lost its petals so we were able to see the pistil very clearly.



Our tulips are very conveniently located. I planted these this past fall just to see how they would do. I love them! We got one of our old comforters on the sidewalk and sat down to study and draw in our nature journals. I somehow didn't get a photo of mine, but it's not a loss because it's not much different from the kids. We'll be working on the drawings eventually. ;D


T


They surprised me by not griping at having to look at flowers. Let's hope they have as much fun with our next flower study--bleeding hearts!

Fundraising-Yard Sale

This past weekend when I had my little blog break, I was still quite busy. We were fundraising for our local homeschool group. I'm in charge of coordinating field trips and we've started this year to hold fundraisers to raise money to pay for the kids to go. We managed to have about 5-6 field trips this year where all the kids got in free! This was from one yard sale and one candy bar fundraiser. The yard sale we just completed is getting some funds together to be ready to start the year in September.

Thursday I had the boys helping me a lot. There was a lot of stuff from the last yard sale that I had saved and put into my shed. It had to come out (and nothing was getting saved this time!). Then there were tables and other wood shelving that had to be pulled out and set up. There was no way I could do it myself, so I had Pooh and Tigger helping me. They did great! It was the one day last week where it felt very warm outside so Pooh complained a bit about being hot. We took breaks here and there to ease the load.

Friday was the first day of the sale. The weather proved to be tricky. Despite the forecast the day before that it was going to rain LATE afternoon and evening, the rain started at about 12:30. We did pretty well despite only being open an hour and a half. My volunteers (which included several of the teenagers in our group) helped us cover what could be covered and bring in the rest. Shall we say it was a bit crowded in my family room/basement???

Saturday was the main day. We were able to sell quite a bit and earned several hundred dollars to help the group. We were busy constantly. We started closing up at about 3pm and took all the leftovers to one of the Goodwill drop off sites. Yeah! It's done and I don't have to look at any of that stuff anymore.

My only legacy is that I need an adjustment. I really wore out my back on Thursday so I guess I'll have to change those plans for our next one. Even with the boys helping, I did too much. I hate getting older!