These Are the Memories That Make a Childhood :-)
Sometimes, it’s the little things that count. Sometimes, it’s the small, quiet moments that make everything worthwhile. Moments like Dunkin Donuts at the park, the bliss in a child’s eyes as he spins on a tire swing, and the loving embrace of a toddler and father. These moments don’t cost a fortune, require special equipment, or demand long drives to get there. They’re just waiting to happen. These are the memories that make a childhood.
We’re enjoying a bit of time together as a family before Hubby goes back out to sea again. After a week of being sick as well as lots of stormy weather, the great outdoors were definitely calling our names this morning. The kids got to stay up late last night for movie night, then Derek begged to have a campout in the living room. I let him and joined him too. He’s only going to be 3-years-old once, and I remember how amazing it once was to play with flashlights in the dark. The house looks completely different at night, especially to little people with big imaginations. This morning, everyone got dressed and into the car for breakfast at the park. We don’t do this often, but it is certainly one of our favorite treats. We pick up a dozen donuts, head to the covered pavilion near Clarke House Park in Orange Park to eat, and then the kids play to their heart’s content. Apart from the donuts and the small amount of gas to get there, the morning is absolutely free. Yet the payoff is wonderful.
We have a lot to celebrate on this plain old Saturday. We’re all mostly healthy for the first time in weeks. We’re all together, which has been rather rare this spring. It’s not too hot yet and is beautiful and sunny. While we didn’t get the orders we hoped and dreamed for, we are excited for what we got and are looking forward to many adventures on the beach for the next few years. We have each other, love each other, and don’t have too many big worries in the world. I would like to bottle this moment and keep it forever. I could forget the trials and tribulations of the world and live in this bubble of time for the rest of my life. Plus, Hubby and I are going on a date tonight for the first time in who knows how long. I hope the new sitter does fine and the kids are good! Last time we went on a date, Alex ran down the playground slide and broke her nose. Last time we had a date scheduled, Alex had the flu. Hopefully tonight is uneventful, children-wise!
What I love most about Clark House Park is that, for the most part, we can sit and relax while the kids run and explore. We do chase them around and push them on the swings, but watching them play games together is really awesome. It’s so good for them. They’re such good buddies, most of the time. They built a huge “sand castle” in the sand pit, tore down the slide on the pirate ship, and chased each other up and down the wooden castle fortress until they were all red in the face. Bella was so tired by the time we left, she could hardly keep her eyes open!
Once the kids were nice and tired, we dropped off our mound of library books and picked up 30 more for the new week. Bella was asleep before we were to the Buckman Bridge. As I type, the house is silent. 4 kids and 1 hubby are all fast asleep. Now THAT is a peaceful way to spend the afternoon.
As Derek played in the little-kid area of the park this morning, he chimed a song on an instrument several yards away from me. “Did you here that, mommy?” he asked.
“Yes, buddy,” I replied. “It was beautiful!”
He ran over and hugged me tight. “It was called, “My Mommy is sweet and I love you.’ I made it myself.”
Now THOSE are the moments that make this whole motherhood thing worthwhile.
Let’s Re-Do This Weekend: Duty, the Stomach Flu, and a Tropical Storm
Hubby recently came home from a long time at sea, and we wanted to celebrate by taking the camper out for the long weekend. He’s been gone a lot this Spring so the camper hasn’t seen much action. I booked us a quaint spot at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah. I didn’t consider how busy campgrounds would be on Memorial Day weekend! All of our favorites were booked solid. Hunter was new to us and we were excited. As soon as Hubby got out of work Thursday, we loaded up the camper and drove north to Savannah.
The campround was small but very nice. Right across the street sat the Savannah Mall… complete with a Bass Pro Shops! Hubby was thrilled to see that. It’s his absolute favorite store and we don’t have one here in Jacksonville. As soon as we were settled into the campground, we headed to the mall for dinner at Texas Roadhouse and a trip to Bass Pro Shops.
Thursday night, things started to go wrong. Derek woke up with a violent stomach bug. Poor guy. It was everywhere. Hubby and I cleaned everything up and wrapped up all his bedding in garbage bags. This campground had no laundry facilities. Derek was up for several hours before being able to go back to sleep.
On Friday, Hubby got called in to work… in Jacksonville. Evidentially, he had been scheduled for duty for both Saturday and Monday. Our trip was about to be cut really short. We spent lots of time hanging out at the camper and visited the little parks on the air base. There was a small lake and surprisingly cool playparks. The kids liked running along the nature trail, climbing the play toys, and pointing out little fish in the lake. There was even a kids’ obstacle course! Derek was unusually tired and slept a lot throughout the day.
Early Saturday morning, we were back on the road and headed home. We learned that a tropical storm had formed off the coast… and was headed straight for Jacksonville. Great. It would arrive a day after us. Hubby went to work, the kids rested, and we washed all the laundry. I got all the storm supplies ready in case we lost power. You never know what to expect with a tropical storm!
The morning of the storm, Alex woke up with the stomach flu. Poor girl was down for several days. She couldn’t eat anything and slept a lot.
Tropical Storm Beryl rolled through Sunday night just 4 mph shy of hurricane strength, fierce and powerful with wild rain and wind gusts 70+ miles per hour. The sound of the rain was amazing. We didn’t lose power and had no damage. By the morning, the entire yard was covered with fallen branches and Spanish moss. The rain continued for several more days.
Monday night, I came down with the flu and was very ill through Tuesday. I’m doing better now and hope this is the end of it! I’m sanitizing everything today! We seem to be getting sick every 2 days… I’m hoping no one is up sick tonight!!!
May has been a month full of germs in our house. My kids rarely get sick… but when we get something we all share it and it seems to last forever. We had an upper-respiratory virus for two weeks of the month, then the stomach flu. Ug. I didn’t take many pictures this month, as we didn’t go too many places when everyone was sick. I hope that June brings health to our household!
I think that our weekend needs a re-do. We need a family getaway that doesn’t involve duty, the stomach flu, or a tropical storm. Perhaps we can try it again this weekend, if no one else comes down with the flu. Fingers crossed!
Related articles
- Tropical Storm Beryl Could Snarl Holiday Traffic (abcnews.go.com)
- Tropical Storm Beryl Making Landfall in Fla. (abcnews.go.com)
- Tropical Storm Beryl could snarl holiday traffic (miamiherald.com)
History Detectives at Fort Caroline
Did you know that Jacksonville has a dark and tragic history? It’s true. The French built the first European settlement in NE Florida in 1564 and called it La Caroline. They had high hopes for their fort. Not only would it offer religious freedom for the persecuted French Huguenots, but it would give them a leg up on their Spanish enemies. The Spanish already had successful colonies in South America, and La Caroline gave the French easy access to the Spanish shipping lines. The New World was full of hope and possibility. Little did they know that within a year, most of them would be dead.
We’ve been to Fort Caroline before, but on Monday returned with some of our history-loving pals from our homeschool group. I feel deep ties to the area. Not only am I writing about it for my master’s history paper, but my children’s novel also has a lot to do with La Caroline. The story is haunting and largely forgotten. The original site of the fort is unknown, lost to its bloody and torrid past. All that remains today are whispers of the truth and a few amazing first-hand accounts from the lucky few who escaped.
When the Spanish King learned of the French Colony, he was furious. Pedro Menendez de Avilez was ordered by Spain’s King Philip II to destroy the French Protestant colony and start a Spanish Roman Catholic colony. The original agreement between Spanish council and Pedro Menendez de Aviles, signed by King Philip II, on March 20, 1565 still exists: “He [will go]… to the Coast of Florida… If there on the said coast or land some… settlers or any other people not subject to His Majesty, arrange to throw them out by the best means possible, which seem best to him. Take the land of the said Florida for His Majesty and to his royal name, attempting to bring its natives to obedience of His Majesty.”
Menendez and his men arrived at the Native American city of Seloy on September 8, 1565 and founded St. Augustine, the oldest, continuously inhabited city in the United States. The French colonists were angered and frightened by the arrival of the Spanish and they decided to attack. Leaving only a small garrison behind, they set sail for St. Augustine and arrived on September 11th. They observed Spanish ships departing and chased after them. A huge storm was brewing, and not just figuratively. The French were caught in a hurricane and unable to return to land for weeks. Menendez saw his chance. He marched his soldiers 50 miles north to La Caroline through the storm, his hatred and duty to Spain so strong that not even a hurricane could stop him.
On September 20, 1565, Menendez and his men attacked La Caroline. The French settlement was under protected and taken easily. It was a bloodbath. The Spaniards massacred the settlers, sparing only a few women, children, and Catholics. These people were taken as prisoners. The Fort was destroyed. Some people escaped and a few lived to tell their stories. Most were not so fortunate. Menendez hunted down most of them and killed them. When he learned that the French ship had shipwrecked, he searched for survivors and killed them. Menendez is easily one of the cruelest men in American history.
The fort today is a small-scale replica. It is extremely underfunded and there’s not much to see, but the history is what draws one there. For centuries now, historians have been trying to locate the exact location of La Caroline. There are clues in the writings of Captain René Goulaine de Laudonnière, the French Captain who helped found the colony, as well as the writings of an artist. There are many theories as to where it was. Only one thing is certain: it’s most likely not where the replica fort was built. It may be somewhere nearby, but no one knows for certain. It’s a real history mystery.
La Caroline’s history was short and mostly forgotten to time. A replica fort was built there in the 1960s and destroyed the same year by a hurricane. The present fort was built soon after. It’s much smaller than the original La Caroline, but a great reminder of the area’s past. There is a small museum about La Caroline and the park guides are very knowledgable. It’s a really neat part of American history that shouldn’t be forgotten!
Since this time in history interest me a lot, I’ve taught Alex all about it. It was great for her to get a feel for the area firsthand and to be able to share what she knows about the Fort’s history. We had fun talking about it with our homeschool friends and exploring too. After touring the small fort inside and out, we hiked the nature trail. It’s much more intense than it looks! René Goulaine de Laudonnière’s accounts recall a large mountain being near the Fort and this seems counterintuitive considering that most of Florida is very flat. Once you get back in those woods, though, there is indeed a very steep hill! It’s quite difficult to tackle with a toddler-filled-stroller. Whew! I got my workout in! It’s a gorgeous trail and really connects you with natural Florida.
I hope that by the time we move from Florida, Alexandria has a pretty good grasp of the important role the Spanish (and French!) played in American history. I had no idea what a rich and complex past Florida had, nor the significance of the Spanish colony before we moved here. It is a vital part of American history and one I think more kids should learn about (especially outside of Florida). There are so many interesting stories around us, so many unsolved mysteries. History doesn’t have to be a boring thing one learns from a textbook. It’s real, in-your-face, dramatic, and breathtaking. My history detectives had a great time at Fort Caroline. It’s really an adventure to be had. All it takes is a bit of research, a little imagination, and the willingness to let the past reveal its spellbinding stories and tragic, twisting tales. It has a lot to say and real life is way more interesting than anything on TV.
Related articles
- Lots of mystery and intrigue in Mayport’s 450-year history (jacksonville.com)
- Jacksonville celebrates inaugural ‘French Week’ (jacksonville.com)
MOSH Homeschool Classes: What’s the Matter, Anyway?
What’s the matter, anyway? We learned all about matter at last week’s MOSH homeschool class. We recently studied matter in science, so this was a perfect opportunity to reinforce the concepts we learned and to watch lots of awesome experiments!
Alex was eager to show off her knowledge!
I was surprised with how much Alex remembered from our lessons! She didn’t seem to grasp it when we studied it at home, but she sure knew the answers to all of the teacher’s questions. Her hand was raised practically the entire time. Alex is seriously the smartest 7-year-old I’ve ever known. I hope she continues to love science and learning this much as she grows up!
While learning all about the four states of matter (solid, liquid, gas, and plasma), we got to see all sorts of great experiments. They were so interesting that all four kids were completely enthralled! This is the best kind of learning. The kids learned a lot!
This class was our favorite of the MOSH Homeschool series, and also unfortunately the last. I’m really glad we participated in these classes! They were awesome and so educational. If we are still in Jacksonville this fall, we’ll most certainly take them again! I love to see the kids so excited about science.
Each of the kids learned a ton. Even Ethan, who has difficulty retaining new information, was able to tell me the states of matter and about his favorite experiment. Three-year-old Derek also knows the states of matter and how they change states! That’s pretty awesome. He loved the experiment where they turned the balloon into a ball of ice. We may try something similar at home. He loves learning and is so eager to try new things.
If you live on the First Coast and homeschool, MOSH’s homeschool classes are an amazing learning opportunity. I’m so glad we participated. It was definitely worth the time!
Related articles
- MOSH Homeschool Class: Happenin’ Habitats! (homeschoolinghelicoptermama.wordpress.com)
- 5 Reasons I Love Homeschooling My Kids (homeschoolinghelicoptermama.wordpress.com)
Saturday Morning Strawberries and Flea Market Adventures
Are you the type of person who likes to stay at home and relax on a Saturday or the type who wants to get out and explore? While I appreciate occasional relaxation, exploring gets my heart pumping. I crave adventure and love nothing more than the chance to get out and see new things, experience new sights and sounds, and try something interesting. I guess you could say I’m a bit of an adventuress. Even with 4 kids in tow, I hate to be cooped up. We put a lot of mileage on our truck.
My tiny helper
A beautiful bounty of strawberries
We had a blast at the St. Augustine U-Pick Strawberry and Vegetable Farm last weekend and ate all of the produce we purchased. I asked the kids if they wanted to head down to the farm and stock up on some more strawberries. They bounded to the truck excitedly. Our pals next door needed some more strawberries too and came along. It may be 40 minutes or so down the road, but it’s worth the trip!
The strawberries were even larger, jucier, and plumper than last week and practically burst from the bushes. The kids went crazy gathering them and our basket was soon overflowing with saturday morning strawberries. We also gathered some spinach (complete with a caterpillar, we found out at home), tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, and radishes. Four bursting-full bags of produce sounds about right to start off our week on a healthy note. Yum!
Anyone need a suit of armor?
The St. Augustine Flea Market is situated right next to the farm. Flea Markets aren’t usually my thing, but my neighbor wanted to check it out and I’m game for just about anything. There was stuff to look at everywhere! The kids’ eyes were the size of half-dollars as they took everything in. It was busy and there were scores of people, new smells from vendors and shops, and thousands of things for sale all around us. The flea market is surprisingly large. I wasn’t sure quite what to expect and wasn’t disappointed. While there was definitely a lot of random stuff, we would some interesting things too. The girls got 6 new dresses in great condition for $5 total. Alex found a lovely glass necklace for $3. I discovered a beautiful, handmade bird house for $10 and thought it would look perfect in our flower bed. I think this was even better than a garage sale. While I wouldn’t go back often, it was a neat experience!
Alex shows of her necklace and one of her dresses
My new bird house
The kids were nice and tired from our morning adventure. By the time we left, the sun was high and hot. 93 degrees already and it’s only May! We were all hot and sweaty and ready to go home for lunch (which included lots of strawberries). Most of the kids are resting, sound asleep in their beds. Derek, like his mom, gets excited from our adventures and isn’t tired at all. I hope the other kids are dreaming peacefully of their new experiences. I think it’s awesome to introduce kids to all the interesting things the world has to offer. One never knows what they might see or experience next.
An amazing collection of fresh produce for healthy, growing kids!
Lunch! Strawberries and sugar are amazing on a hot Florida day!
Related articles
- Why Go to the Grocery Store When You Can Go to the Farm? (homeschoolinghelicoptermama.wordpress.com)
Too Crazy to Believe at Ripley’s Believe it Or Not Museum in St. Augustine
What’s the weirdest, wackiest place you’ve ever been? Where can you go to see a mummified cat, a statue made out of a million dollar bills, and outfits made of newspaper and coffee filters? The kids and I took a field trip down to Ripley’s Believe it Or Not Museum in St. Augustine today and we saw some really crazy things! None of us had ever been before. It was quite the experience.
A Vampire Killing Kit… Just What Everyone Needs
This statue is literally made out of a million dollars. Hmmmm. I think I would do something else with my money…
Upon walking into the museum, our first reaction was shock. Not at the weird things to see, but at the fact that the building was three stories tall with steep stairs and no public elevator. My friend Jordan and I both had babies and strollers! I asked why they didn’t have an elevator for the public to use and the clerk replied that, “Well, every other person coming in here has a stroller, so it wouldn’t make sense for us to allow people with strollers to use the service elevator.” What? How does that not make sense???? It’s certainly not handicap accessible, let alone accessible for families. Today I carried my stroller—with a 30 lb toddler in it– up multiple flights of stairs. Interesting. If you go to the St. Augustine Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum, be forewarned. THERE ARE NO ELEVATORS!!!!!
Alex writes down the most interesting things she sees in her notebook
Derek thought this wooden fish was pretty interesting
A newspaper dress. I think it’s cute!
A two-headed lamb!
Ethan stands next to a replica of the world’s tallest man!
The museum itself was full of interesting things to see, once we tackled the stairs. The mummified cat and vampire-hunting kit stood out the most to me. I also thought the Iron Lady was interesting to see, although I jumped out of my skin when it opened up as I read the description! Some rooms were too scary for the little kids and Derek freaked out. The really dark rooms and the pirate area scared him a lot. Alex liked most everything. The manatee made entirely of soda cans stood out to her. Ethan liked the beaded snake.
The older kids brought their notebooks to write down the name of the things they found more interesting, draw a picture, and write a bit about what the item was or what it was for. I did want the field trip to be fairly educational.
The World’s Rarest Egg
Learning lots!
Abraham Lincoln’s Life Mask!
A mummified cat from Egypt!
We spent several hours at the museum and saw lots of different things. The spinning tunnel at the end was very disorienting! I’m glad we drove down, but accessibility problems really detracted from the visit. The journey down the stairs was difficult. the stairs were so steep and tall that even without a stroller they would have made me nervous. They can’t be safe for senior citizens either. I really wish they would make this place more accessible!
The price wasn’t bad and kids under 6 get in free. The lady at the front desk practically had a heart attack seeing how many kids were visiting. I thought this was ridiculous. She commented about their being “so many kids” when it was just my 4 and my neighbor’s 1. It’s not like we’re the Duggers, for heaven’s sake! There are only 4 of my own and they’re very well behaved. No one threw a temper tantrum, grabbed anything, or ran around. I would say that is pretty darn good.
Ahhhh! A moose!
Creepy Pirates!
Jordan and Evie in the pirate room
A house made from a log!
Alex got a “magazine cover” of herself and a “million dollar bill”
Derek loves his pirate shirt!
We had some fun in the gift shop. They had so many toys and gadgets to interest little people. We found a magnet for our “places we’ve been” collection and Bella and Derek got St. Augustine pirate shirts. They’re very cute! As soon as we got home, Derek ripped off his old shirt, put on the new one, and informed me he’s going to wear it every day.
We stopped by Barnacle Bill’s Seafood House for lunch and had some great shrimp. The kids were so tired when we were done. The little girls fell asleep quickly. Ethan slept at home. Alex read and Derek covered my arm with stickers as I rested. Lucky, lucky.
It was a fun school day today, full of adventure and learning weird and wacky new things. I think tomorrow we’ll take it easy. That is, unless something exciting and amazing comes our way.
Our Little Family
Haunted History, a Polygamous Plantation Owner, and Slavery at Kingsley Plantation
If you stop and listen for a moment, you can’t help but hear whispers from the past. Have you ever considered who walked this ground before you and what their lives were like? What were their challenges, their victories, their triumphs, and their choices? What impact did they have on this world that just might influence what you do—or don’t do—today?
With a mom earning her Master’s degree in American History, my kids get dragged to a lot of historical sites. I love history. I think the kids are learning to appreciate it too. If one tells the story in an interesting enough way, it transforms from “boring” to mesmerizing. One thing I love about the South is that the history is so rich and varied. No matter which historical era you are most interested in, there is something new to learn about it here. There was one remaining local historic site I wanted to check out before we move: Kingsley Plantation on the Northern tip of Fort George Island, north of Jacksonville. Every time we drive north I see the sign and make a mental note to visit. Yesterday, the kids and I made the trip. It was a drive, but it was worth it.
The "Ma'am Anna House" and Kitchen
Kingsley Plantation was a formerly 1000 acre plantation owned by British-born slave trader and shipping magnate Zephaniah Kingsley. While he owned several plantations around Jacksonville, Kingsley Plantation was the only one that has withstood the test of time.
Kingsley was not one to play by the rules. He “married” (not legally) four different black women, including Anna Madgigine Jai Kingsley. She was 13 years old when he purchased and married her. She ran the plantation for him while he was away on business. I thought this was interesting. She oversaw slaves and ran a plantation despite the fact that she was a former slave herself (he granted her and her children freedom). I wonder if she saw anything wrong with that. Between his “wives,” Mr. Kingsley sired 9-10 mixed race children.
Zephaniah Kingsley became involved in Florida politics and he wrote a treatise defending a system of slavery that would allow slaves to purchase their freedom. Mixed-race and free black people would be given certain rights. Before he died, Kingsley moved his family to Haiti. He believed that his mixed race relationships would be more accepted there. To most of American society at the time, his actions and living arangements were very taboo.
There was a large dispute between Anna Kingsley and Kingsley’s extended white family over the inheritance of the estate following his death. They did not want the vast holdings and fortune to go to a former slave. The courts ruled in Anna’s favor and she and her children lived at the Plantation for several more years before moving to St. Augustine.
A helpful guide told us all about the plantation
Our group tried on lots of historic costumes
The Plantation is now owned by the state and is being preserved. The main plantation house still stands, along with the kitchen, a garden, a church, and the remains of slave houses. We got to see cotton and cotton seeds too. The 60-or-so slaves living on this plantation gathered cotton from the fields each day, along with citrus, corn, and sugar cane. Including the slaves living on Kingsley’s other plantations, he owned a total of 200+ slaves. The kids learned a lot about life on the plantation and found the slave houses interesting. They compared how the kitchen and slave cabins were similar to and different from the homes we live in today and talked about what life may have been like had they been born slaves.
I found Kingsley’s approach to slavery very odd. On one hand, he openly sired children with his slaves, was an “unusually permissive slave owner” who wrote about the physical superiority of Africans to Europeans, and didn’t interfere with his slave’s family lives. He provided his offspring with great educations and showed them off to visitors. On the other hand, he used slaves for free labor and used Kingsley Plantation as his slave trading headquarters. He trained slaves for specific tasks so that he could sell them for more money! Kingsley is the epitime of a double standard. I really don’t think I would have liked him in real life.
The main house is a two-story home near the water. We weren’t able to go inside, unfortunately. We were able to visit the two-story kitchen house, though. It was called the “Ma’am Anna House” and doubled as a center for food preparation and Anna’s home with her children on the second floor. I thought it was strange that Anna didn’t live in the main house is she was the lady of the plantation. There really wasn’t much about the Kingsley family’s dynamics that made much sense.
The Main House, Front
Part of our group on the waterfront
As part of our studies, we’re reading the American girl series about Addy and learning what it was like to be a slave and then a free black in America. Our plantation visit was an important part of this. Hands-on history makes it so much more real. How else can we truly imagine the lives of the men, women, and children who lived and worked here 150 years ago in a time and place so foreign it feels incomprehensible today?
The plantation’s gift shop was full of interesting books on slavery as well. We picked up a children’s picture book as well as a workbook to reinforce the things we learned.
The back of the plantation home
The long dirt road winding through the Florida wilderness to the plantation was both surreal and creepy. The air teemed with life and the warm breeze danced around the car. Had I gone alone, I may have turned around. Derek said, “Mom, we’re going through a creepy jungle!” I had to agree. It was creepy.The fact that there was zero phone signal and that the plantation was miles down a narrow, twisting dirt road didn’t help. Fortunately we went with our homeschool group. This was an experience to share. As we explored the remains of the slave community, one of our friends remarked, “This place looks haunted.” I don’t know if I believe in ghosts, but if there’s anywhere I’ve been that could be haunted this would probably be it.
I’m glad I didn’t do an internet search ahead of time. When I was researching for this post, I found numerous sites claiming that Kingsley Plantation is haunted. Creepy! I have to say that I felt a little on-edge and rather like a trespasser in the slave cabins. Hmmm. This may have been one of our more interesting field trips.
The remains of slave cabins
Alex in the window of a slave cabin
Why would someone want to visit Kingsley Plantation? It represents a lost time in American history. It’s not a proud time and it’s not pretty, but it happened and it should not be forgotten. It’s amazing to think that people earned their fortunes off the backs of others and didn’t think there was anything wrong with buying and selling people! I can’t believe that happened.
I’m really glad we made it out to the plantation. I am appaled by its history and would like to have given Zephaniah Kingsley a piece of my mind, but it was at the very least educational to see a real plantation. I think it’s important for kids to learn about slavery and the role it played in our history, and also to learn how far we’ve come since then.
An intact slave cabin
New Friends
Resources to Learn More:
History of Kingsley Plantation: http://www.nps.gov/timu/historyculture/kp_history.htm
Kingsley Plantation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingsley_Plantation
Why Go to the Grocery Store When You Can Go to the Farm?
A while back, a political commentator on the news offended American moms by saying that stay-at-home moms don’t work and don’t know much about the economy. This is so far from the truth. Moms move the economy. In my home, I am in charge of 99% of our financial transactions. I choose the clothing we buy and the food we eat. I choose where we shop and where we go, for the most part. Moms control the budget in many families. In fact, media reports claim that 85% of all consumer purchases are influenced by women. That’s huge! I also know that where we spend our money has a broad impact. For example, I know that the best place to buy produce is from a farm or farmer’s market. Why? The money goes straight to the farmer and supports their livelihood. It’s also healthy and fresh and didn’t have to be transported anywhere (or at least not far).
The kids and I, along with some friends, ventured down to the St. Augustine U-Pick Strawberry and Vegetable Farm this morning. They have so much more than strawberries! Everything is grown hydroponically and without any harmful pesticides. There was a bounty of fresh produce! I bought strawberries, green beans, various lettuces and spinach, and some delicious red tomatoes. Mmm! Along with a jar of locally made apple butter, I spent only $25! I voted with my wallet—and family’s budget—to support a small farmer today.
The best part of the farm visit was picking everything ourselves. Each child got their own pail and we walked the rows finding delicious things to eat. While they said their berry supply was low, we still managed to find lots of red, ripe strawberries. The kids loved finding them and plucking them from the vines with scissors. Cute!
The kids hurried from bush to bush, “I found one! I found the best, ripest, reddest strawberry! Mommmmm!!!!” We ended up with a very large basket full of strawberries. I had to remind them many times to slow it down. Could we really eat that many? We’ll be eating a lot of strawberries for the next week! They do taste wonderful.
Yes, my toddler is sooooo sweet and cooperative. 
Buy local! Support your local farmers and small businesses!
It was also very cool for the kids to see how the fruits and vegetables we eat grow. Picking our lettuce leaves from an actual lettuce plant was a new experience for me too. I love that we’re getting more in touch with what we’re putting in our bodies and that the kids are learning this from a young age. The fresher and more organic it is, the better. See, you can take the girl out of the Northwest, but you can’t take the Northwest out of the girl. I would fit in very well back in Portland.
The only thing I didn’t love was that the farm was so far away. It was a 45 minute drive from our house. Still, convenience isn’t everthing. I think I would rather drive the distance once in a while and support local farmers and businesses while also getting fresh, pesticide-free produce straight from the vine. We live in a culture of instant gratification and putting more effort into getting our food may seem impossible. It’s not. It does take effort, but it’s worth it. Today I voted with my wallet to support a small farmer over a large corporation. Feeding a family of six isn’t cheap… so my vote definitely meant something.
If you want to visit the St. Augustine U-Pick Strawberry and Vegetable Farm, it’s located at 2495 State Road 207, St. Augustine, Florida 32086. They can be found on facebook at www.facebook.com/BerryStacks. This farm is certainly worth the drive! The farmers were very friendly and helpful, the produce was unbeatable, and the taste is amazing. The kids enjoyed lots of fresh strawberries with their lunches and simply couldn’t get enough. I’m looking forward to making a salad tonight that is as fresh as it gets. This place is awesome!
Our Beautiful Bounty
Spring Days are Made for Bumming at the Beach
When we were stationed at NS Mayport, we went to the beach all the time. It was right up the road. Since moving to NAS Jacksonville, our beach trips have become much less frequent. It’s a big drive, plus it’s a pain dragging around wet, sandy kids. However, today was simply too gorgeous not to spend it at the beach. We packed into the Armada with lots of sand toys, towels, and a change of clothes and drove the hour to Maport to spend the morning frolicking in the waves and sand. I’m really glad we did. I was reminded just how much we love, love, love the ocean.
Our beach trip had several rules. First, don’t go in the water past your ankles. Why? There’s one of me and four of them. I told them that if something happened, I’d have to rescue my favorite. That really got them thinking. Two: Sunscreen is a must. We’re Scandinavian, for heavens sake. We burn. Three: burn off lots of energy! They did just that. I don’t think Derek stopped running for a second. I got lots of exercise too chasing him.
Isabella was not a fan of the ocean. She clung to me for dear life. I tried to set her down and she clung harder, screaming, “Eeeeeew! No! Wet! Ucky!” She liked playing in the dry sand and once her friend arrived she was happier. By the end of our visit, she was in the water along with her siblings. We stayed at the beach enjoying the warm water and glorious sun rays for several hours. My car is about as sandy as the beach and has nearly as many shells.
Post-beach cleanup is always interesting. We used the outdoor showers, then I changed one kid at a time and dried them, putting on fresh, dry clothes and loading them into the car. This was a challenge, but we did it. When everyone was dressed up, we headed to Bogey’s restaurant on the golf course for a nice lunch. I love their Cuban sandwiches!
Today’s walk to the beach brought back so many memories. The Mayport beach was the first place we visited when we moved to Jacksonville in winter 2008. We stayed at the Navy Lodge right on the beach and I remember tiny, barely-three-year-old Alex posing next to the palm trees. Alex is now 7. She’s a long, lanky kid who doesn’t look twice at a palm tree because she’s seen them for as long as she can remember. I remember I was barely pregnant with Derek at that time. Now he’s almost four and as crazy as can be. It’s amazing how things change. Yet the beach remains the same. Profound, really. I wonder where we’ll be in another four years. I can’t even begin to imagine.
I think every kid should spend some of their childhood days bumming on the beach. I remember my own childhood beach trips vividly. I loved them! My kids love it too. I can’t think of a better way to spend a warm spring day. Of course, not having to scoop sand out of the truck would be a plus… but the memories we made are so great that they make up for the mess.
Fun Friday Break From School!
Our week has been quite academically intensive. It has been super productive and we’ve accomplished a lot of schoolwork. This morning we got up late and watched Disney Jr all cuddled up in bed. That’s a big perk of homeschooling. Most mornings, we aren’t running around trying to get anywhere. Alex turned to me and said, “Mom, I don’t feel like doing school today. How about a free day?” I thought about it for a minute. We had gotten a lot of school done. The sun was shining. We did meet all of our goals for the month. Why not? We declared it a fun Friday break from school.
Our neighbors joined us for a breakfast of craisin blueberry pancakes. Then we packed everyone into the Armada and headed to Chuck-e-Cheese for a morning of fun! It has been forever since we’ve been there and the kids thought it would be a great place to go. Why not? It wasn’t crowded, there was a ton to do, and they had so much fun.
One Cool Chick
This was our neighbor Evie’s first time at Chuck-e-Cheese ever and Bella’s first time being able to run around and play. For $20, I got enough tokens to keep everyone occupied for over an hour. Not too bad! The kids went on rides, played scores of games, and ran themselves ragged. We were sure to use lots of sanitizer. I think of the kids got plenty of mental stimulation today! They each got a small prize in the end as well.
We don’t take many days off, but sometimes I think everyone simply needs a day to be a kid. What kid doesn’t love games and winning tickets? The morning is the best time to go, too, because there is hardly anyone there. We used to go all the time when we lived by Mayport, but since we moved to NAS Jax there hasn’t been anyone close by to go with us. It was awesome spending the morning with our neighbors. I think they had fun too. Evie was fast asleep before we even got on the freeway to drive home. I think she was dreaming of winning tickets and riding on the police car. Bella LOVED the rides after she got used to them. At first, she wouldn’t come out of her stroller.
The kids used every last token. Bella slept like a rock for several hours after lunch. Now they’re all up and ready for action. Time to head outside for some more fun and adventures on our special Friday break from school.
Celebrating Spring and A Terrific Two-Year-Old at the Jacksonville Zoo
On Monday, we spent the morning at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens to celebrate Bella’s second birthday. It was a chilly morning and the animals were very active. We got a couple of great shots and had a nice morning out!
Bella’s BFF Evie came with us and the girls had a great time together exploring and daring each other to touch or eat the grossest thing (in baby/ toddler language of course). We brought cupcakes to share (after washing hands!). The kids got a ton of exercise. This was one spring day we thoroughly enjoyed. I can’t think of a more pleasant way to spend it than outdoors!
Bella had a great birthday week and enjoyed all of the well-wishes and presents. I don’t think she knew exactly what was going on but she liked the attention. My sweet, sassy little lady is quite a handful! Her favorite part of the zoo (besides trying to eat gross things) was to run and make me chase her. When I tell her “No, stop!” she goes faster and farther. Ah, I “love” this stage.
Awwww! If Cheetas read romance novels, this would be the cover.
Alex and her BFF Sophia
Catch me, mom!
Mmmmm! Cupcakes!
Bella and her BFF Evie
How would I describe Bella at two? Silly. Sweet. Loving. She’s absolutely obsessed with baby dolls. Sometimes I call her the baby horder, because she’ll have one doll in her purse, one in a backpack, and one in her arms. She simply can’t get enough of her baby dolls. She loves feeding them, dressing them, and carrying them everywhere. At the park, she loves to put them down the slide and swing them in the baby swing. She also loves rubber duckies and playing with her neighbor and best friend Evie.
Bella loves doing school. She colors, does stickers, and adores reading books with mommy. She likes music a lot and dances and sings for us. She’s a very active, opinionated little monkey who refers to herself as “Tiny” or “Tiny Cookie.” I’m really not sure where that came from.
Alex, Age 7
LOVE!
An Interesting Bird
Friends
Best Friends Forever
We love our zoo, especially in the Spring. Sure, we’ve seen everything a million times now. However, it’s always great for a walk. This time of year everything is blooming. There are baby animals (I love babies!) and the weather isn’t yet too hot to be comfortable. There’s not much we’d rather do than walk the zoo. The kids get exercise, mental stimulation, and take naps afterwards. Hooray!
I hope Bella had a great second birthday. While I don’t know if she’ll remember it, we took lots of pictures to help her. I wonder if she dreams about the interesting things we do and things she sees. What would it be like to see inside the mind of a two-year-old? It may be interesting.
Bella's Pouty Face
Look at this, mommy!
Proud to be an American
Slow Food First Coast Tour-de-Farm!
It baffles my mind how far removed from our food we are as a culture. It’s not that we don’t love to eat. It’s that we don’t think twice about where our food comes from and what’s in it. In our fast-paced lives, many of us reply on quick, previously frozen meals, fast food or restaurants. Our family has gone organic in the past month. It has been a true journey, a transformation from ”I’m too busy” to “we need to do this now and we’ll make time for it.” Not only do we use a whole lot of fresh, organic produce, but I’m preparing our meals from scratch. No more frozen chicken nuggets or processed macaroni and cheese for us. Does it take more time? You’d better believe it. Is it worth it? Definitely. We’ve been feeling better than ever. Our journey got me thinking. Do most people even know where their food comes from any more? The correct answer is not “the grocery store.” Who produces our food and how? What pesticides are being sprayed on them, or not? What do these farms and factories look like?
While I grew up in the country and saw farms and animals regularly, I realized that my kids don’t see these things often. I don’t think the younger kids have ever been to a farm. When I read about the Slow Food First Coast Tour-de-Farm, I was thrilled. Farms all around Jacksonville were to open their doors to the public for one day. What a perfect opportunity!
It was pouring rain this morning, but we decided to give it a go anyway. We chose one farm from the list and drove an hour north to check out Connor’s Amaizing Acres in Hilliard, Florida.
Alex was beyond excited! She wanted to see some horses.
How cute and homey is this?
My Four Adventurers
The Cow Train! Moo!
Chickens!
Derek has been working on a farm lapbook this week to get ready for today’s trip. We’ve been talking about food we get from animals, different types of farm animals and the sounds they make, and what a farmer grows on a farm. On the drive up, Derek pointed out his window, “Look, mom! Goats! Cows eat goats.”
“What?” I asked. “No they do not! Cows eat grass.”
“I sawed one,” he stated mater-of-factly. He pointed again, this time at a cow. “Look, mom! A reindeer!”
Wow. We need to work on that a bit. I guess there’s a big difference from a picture of a cow in a book and seeing one in real life. The kids argued for the next 10 minutes about where reindeer live and where they do not live. Derek insists they live in Florida. Alex insists that Derek was born without a brain.
Gobble, Gobble!
Derek loved the goat. She was very sweet.
What is it with girls and horses? I was OBSESSED with horses as a child and now Alex is as well.
This calf is sooooo cute!!!!
The boys enjoyed the farm very much.
Conner’s Amaizing Acres farm is not huge, but it does have a nice variety of animals. There were cows, horses, chickens, pigs, sheep, goats, and more. There were also babies galore! The kids loved the animals and I thought the calf was so cute, I wanted to take him home. I don’t think that ladies at the base housing office would approve, though.
There was a giant turkey that ruled the roost and he was a bit frightening to look at but very gentle. The recently hatched baby turkeys were the goofiest looking birds I’ve ever seen. There was even a hen who hatched and cared for a bunch of baby ducks! How funny! We loved the three-day-old foal and the bunnies too. The sheep was very interested in the kids and followed us up and down the fence line. The kids thought this was absolutely hilarious. I’m not sure if the kids were watching the sheep or if the sheep thought he was in for a treat checking out some goofy kids.
Making new friends
Up close and personal!
Look how cute he is!
I love the joy on Derek's face in this picture!
Our friend Evie makes some baby friends!
The hydroponic garden was neat although pretty small. We saw a lady buying a bag of strawberries, but by the time we got up there there were no more strawberries to be picked. Bummer. We walked over to the peddle car race track and Alex had an absolute blast. I wish we had room for one of those! That kid really got her vehicle moving and had so much fun. The other kids played on a big slide made entirely of recycled materials and then in a giant bin of corn. Who knew they would like that so much? The corn bin kept them entertained for quite some time.
How beautiful! A mare and her three-day-old foal. Awwww!
A family of ducks all in a row
So this is what you do with naughty kids...
Alex on the race track!
There were two other local farmers selling their wares and I patronized both! I was really hoping to bring home lots of fresh produce, eggs, and milk today but they simple weren’t for sale. I bought some handcrafted cheese from Sweet Grass Dairy in Thomasville, Georgia. Yum! Their cows are grass fed and the cheese is made from raw cows milk. It’s delicious! I also bought fresh honey from Karma Acres Honey in Callahan, Florida. It was pure, raw honey and so reasonably priced! I got regular, peppermint, vanilla, and orange blossom honey. It’s amazing!
Evie
Goofy Little Girls
Who knew corn was such fun?
Corn!!! The perfect toy.
The cow train!
The kids kept asking to go on the cow train and I finally said yes just before we went home. This is when the rain caught up with us. The kids hadn’t been on the open-air train for more than two minutes when the skies opened and it began to pour. The kind farmer turned right back around and brought them back, through the dry barn. The kids thought this was hilarious and talked about how fun that ride was for the rest of the day. Who would have thought getting rained on would be such a hoot?
After several hours, we headed back home to our house in the city. The kids were exhilarated from their time on the farm. I could have taken a nice, long nap but I think they somehow got more energy than before. I wish we could visit the farm all the time and let them play. I hope they learned a thing or two as well. It’s sad how far removed we are from our farms and I wish we could be reminded more frequently how important they are to us. Plus, it’s always fun to see baby animals. I don’t think one ever gets too old for that.
Library Story Time With a Local Author
A local author was hosting library story time on Friday for kids of all ages, so we simply had to go. I had never heard of this particular author before. I think that in order for kids to think they can accomplish anything, they should meet people of all professions. Authors, firemen, pilots… they aren’t lofty, impossible professions. If they set their hearts to it, they can be whatever they desire.
Sandra Kessler was there promoting her first picture book, If Trees Could Talk. She read the book and had coloring pages for the kids. While we didn’t particularly care for the book, it was something to do. It’s good for the kids to see that authors are real, flesh-and-blood people. I think it gives them more of an appreciation for books and also encourages them to write their own stories.
The best part of the morning was sharing library time with some of our best friends. They got their first library card and maybe they’ll become as big of library-users as us. It’s always fun to learn with friends! We checked out 35 new books that morning! My kids read soooooo much. Thank goodness for libraries!
We’re always looking for new and exciting things to do in our city, things that will expand the children’s minds and introduce them to new ideas and people. Who says that homeschooled kids are sheltered? The world is their classroom. They’ve met more people in their few short years than most people meet in many years.
What are your favorite cultural things to do with your kids?
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- Wipin’ Out The Shelves at Our Local Library – Read, Discover, and Support Your Local Library! (homeschoolinghelicoptermama.wordpress.com)
Enjoying Spring at the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens
Is there somewhere in Jacksonville we haven’t visited yet? There was! We drove past the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens many times but never went in… until today. We joined some friends from our homeschool group for a hike in the woods on this warm (90+ degree) Spring day. It was a drive, but definitely an experience!
I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from an arboretum and it really wasn’t what I was expecting. I was thinking we were going to walk through gardens. Instead, there were a series of trails through the Florida wilderness. It was a fun and free way to spend several hours!
We spent our morning running around doing errands and weren’t dressed entirely perfectly for hiking. I was wearing a skirt and flats! The paths were a bit rough (hilly, narrow bridges, lots of exposed roots) for the stroller too. I was thankful for help with Bella!
The kids all had a blast. There were lots of pretty things to see. We all got plenty of fresh air and exercise! By the time we went home, the kids were filthy from head to toe, red from the heat, and tired too. Bella was asleep in her carseat before we even left the parking lot! Ethan is sound asleep now. The other two.. not so much. It’ll take more to wear them out!
The Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens is a little hidden treasure in the River City. It’s very easy to miss! The lily-pad covered pond and gently flowing stream are peaceful and beautiful. The trails aren’t too long and are fun to hike. I’m glad we stopped by for a visit.
A Week Away From Reality– RV Camping in James Island County Park
Spring break 2012 was really rockin’! We drove up the coast to Charleston, South Carolina, for the week and camped at James Island County Park, the closest campground to downtown Charleston.
In addition to all the great touristy activities, we had a blast camping. Just minutes from downtown, James Island County Park is a 643-acre oasis. Super-well cared for and maintained, there were countless things to occupy our hours.
The kids spent hours digging in the dirt and catching caterpillars. Those things were everywhere! We were picking them off our clothes all week! There were three great hiking trails we walked numerous times and a gigantic playground. The RV lots were large and semi-private and the camp store had all sorts of neat trinkets as well as bug spray, fishing supplies, and basic food supplies. This may just have been the nicest campground we’ve stayed at thus far!
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My brother and sister-in-law and their kids came out to visit us several times and we had a ton of fun camping together. The kids played and got completely filthy. Everyone stayed up way past their bed times, ate lots of sugery smores, and burned off the energy on the trails and playground.
We love camping. It’s way cheaper than a hotel room in a good hotel, plus we have all the comforts of home right at hand. If the kids may a huge disaster, it’s no big deal. We spend way more time outdoors than we do at home and get more family time too. We love our RV!
Darn You, GPS! Civil War History is Way Better With Cousins!
For a history nerd like me, the prospect of seeing Fort Sumter filled me with excited jitters. After all, this is where the Civil War began! This is living, breathing history! My brother got off work early on Friday and joined us on our adventure.
This is where things got interesting. My brother told us that they had tried to visit the fort several years ago but GPS led them to the wrong location. We got a good laugh out of that and I saw the ferry location to the fort on the map of downtown Charleston. It couldn’t be that hard to find. Friday afternoon, hubby typed “Fort Sumter” into the GPS. Oddly enough, it didn’t instruct us to go downtown. I mentioned that the ferry was downtown but he insisted that the GPS knew best and that this was the “better” location to catch the ferry. Whatever.
We drove and drove. There were no historic marker signs leading us to Fort Sumter. Instead, signs pointed to “Fort Moultrie.” I pointed this out yet again… but Hubby disagreed. We finally arrived… at Fort Moultrie- Fort Sumter National Monument. Fort Sumter sat way out there in the ocean and there was no ferry. This was an entirely different fort, but interesting nonetheless. This was exactly the fort we teased my brother for visiting instead of Fort Sumter! We got a laugh out of that and decided to stay and explore it anyway.
Mike, Anthony, and Emily
A replica of the flag that flew over the fort during the Civil War
Cousins!
Cousin Emily, Age 20 months
Six days after South Carolina declared its secession from the United States, US Army Major Robert Anderson abandoned the indefensible Fort Moultrie and secretly relocated some of his troops to Fort Sumter, an incomplete fort just off the Carolina Coast. Fort Sumter controls the entrance to Charleston Harbor. Over the next few months, repeated calls to abandon the unfinished Fort Sumter were ignored. The bombardment of Fort Sumter on April 12-13 1861 began the Civil War.
Fort Moultrie was built by South Carolina patriots in 1776 to guard Charleston, South Carolina. Built of soft palmetto logs, the fort absorbed cannon fire shock and even caused canons to bounce back off the fortress! Carolina Day is celebrated to commemorate the bravery of the patriots who defended the fort in the first decisive victory of the American Revolution on June 28, 1776. Isn’t that neat?
Mama's Cutie Bug
Look at that, Bella!
Looking out over the harbor
THERE is Fort Sumter!
Alex with Fort Sumter in the Background
We started our visit by touring the small museum, then headed across the street to the fortress. There were lots of passageways to explore and stairs to climb! The guys liked all the guns and cannons from different times throughout the fort’s long and varied history. The kids liked climbing around and exploring with their cousins. There were just a few other visitors, so we pretty much had the fort to ourselves!
Cousins!
Mike and Emily Check Out Some Cannons
Alex, Age 7
The Boys
My Handsome Brother
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie were both pounded into oblivion during the Civil War and had to be rebuilt. The Confederate Army abandoned the rubble of Fort Moultrie in February 1865 and evacuated Charleston. After the war, the forts were rebuilt. The Army modernized Fort Moultrie in the 1870s with huge rifled cannons and deep concrete bunkers, which we toured. They are in great shape and very impressive for having been built so long ago! In the 1880s, all of Sullivan’s Island was turned into a military complex. The fort grew and evolved through WWII. The Department of Defense turned over Fort Moultrie to the National Park Service in 1960. It has been managed by the National Park Service ever since.
Ethan, 5 1/2
The kids had so much fun running around together. I had a blast with our impromptu photo shoot. It’s nice to spend time with cousins. Anthony loves Alex and followed her everywhere and Emily and Bella got along fabulously. Civil War history is way more interesting with cousins to chase!
Alex and Anthony
We may not have visited the fort we intended to visit, but Fort Moultrie was pretty darn neat. Its history was even older and more colorful that Fort Sumter, so I’m satisfied. This area of the country has such a vibrant past. If you close your eyes and listen, you might be able to hear the stories of the generations before you. How would our story be different had those patriots lost? What if the Confederates had defeated the Union soldiers and won the Civil War? Would the city look the same, or would it be far different? History is all around us… all you have to do is slow down and look around you. It’s easy to miss. There are so many stories just waiting for you to listen.
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America’s Only Tea Garden: Charleston Tea Plantation
Me and my Carolina Tea!
Have you ever seen a tea bush? If you live in the United States, chances are you haven’t. The Charleston Tea Plantation is the only tea garden in the USA and is the home of hundreds of thousands of tea plants (camellia sinensis). If you didn’t know any better, they look like rows and rows of shrubs, rather like those used in landscaping. The tea leaves are collected and processed right at the plantation and you can go behind the scenes to see exactly how this happens!
Tea Bushes
We arrived at the plantation just before it opened at 10 am. There were azaleas in full bloom and the weather was warm and sunny, mid-80s already and only March! We explored the little store and sampled several varieties of tea. I had never heard of American Classic Tea before and it was really good. I especially loved the Island Green Sweet Tea they made and bought several varieties to bring home. They had many interesting tea pots and cups too, although they were certainly not cheap.
They offer both a free factory tour and a paid trolley tour. We opted for the free tour after spending a fortune in downtown Charleston the day before. The kids were a bit sick all week and we didn’t want to pay for a tour they wouldn’t appreciate. The factory tour was short and self-guided with TV screens to explain what was going on in the factory. We did learn new things. What I remember most is that green, black, and oolong tea all come from the same plant. It is the amount of oxidation that makes different types of tea. Interesting?
The tour lasted less than 15 minutes and our visit only cost us the trinkets we picked up and the gas money to get there. It was an interesting experience! I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit, but if you’re in the area it’s something neat to see!
Alexandria and I grabbed a second glass of sweet tea for the ride back to the campground. Sweet tea is an amazing Southern tradition that is so wonderful and refreshing if done right. I made my own at home with my South Carolina tea and we have been thoroughly enjoying it. In fact, I like their American Classic Tea so much I may order some when my boxes run out. It doesn’t look nearly as fancy in my plain old plastic pitcher, but it tastes just as sweet.
Oh What Fun It Is To Ride in a Horse Drawn Carriage!
What little girl doesn’t dream of traveling in a horse-drawn carriage? I know I always wanted to as a child and Alexandria asks to do so every time we visit St. Augustine. When I saw them in Charleston, I knew it would be the perfect opportunity to have a little fun while also learning about the city’s history. What Spring Break is complete without a little fairy tale magic?
We bought our carriage tickets at the Charleston Visitor’s Center and hopped on the 12:50 ride after a busy morning at the Charleston Children’s Museum and lunch at Hyman’s Seafood. It was expensive but a real treat for the entire family! Alex was bubbling with excitement. She loves horses! The boys thought it was cool and different. Bella was grumpy and fidgety. Hubby and I both loved learning about the city’s history and seeing lots of cool buildings we would have otherwise missed!
Taking pictures from a horse-drawn carriage is surprisingly difficult… and bumpy! I got lots and lots of random shots of the sky unintentionally. It was really jostling! I loved learning about the city’s varied and colorful past and seeing buildings that have been around for dozens of generations. It’s really amazing if you think about it! Here are some interesting shots from our journey:
Bella takes in the sights
Every city is both beautiful and ugly, and Charleston does both to the extreme. Some streets are amazing, breathtaking at every angle. Others are dilapidated and scary. On one street, multi-million dollar mansions house the cream of society. A street away, people live in dire poverty and buildings are disintegrating. It’s an interesting commentary on the city’s history.
There are many carriage companies touring Charleston and the area you end up touring is determined by a lottery. Our tour brought us through interesting houses. I rather wish we had toured the Battery, but we saw that by foot.
Bella did not want to sit through the tour at all and eventually fell asleep on my chest. It was a long day for her! So much to do and see= so much excitement for one little person. I wonder if she’ll remember any of it? I know Alex will! She loved every moment of it. At the end, she even got to pet our tour horse!
It was a very expensive but memorable day on the town, one we won’t soon forget. I hope the kids have had an amazing Spring Break. We really enjoyed our time in Charleston. What a piece of Southern heaven! It’s really fun to see the Holy City from a horse-drawn carriage. The tour guides must pass a history knowledge test and really know their town. Ours was superb! Hubby and I both learned a lot. It’s not cheap to take your family out on a tour, but it’s definitely worth it!
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The Most Amazing Shrimp and Grits in the South at Hyman’s Seafood!
Hyman's Signature Carolina Delight
Voted the #1 seafood restaurant in the Southeastern United States for 9 years running, Hyman’s Seafood is a Charleston, South Carolina, landmark. It is known for its amazing dishes and long, long lines. Neil Armstrong, Oprah, Jimmy Buffet, Sandra Bullock, Neil Diamond, Martha Stewert, and Samuel L. Jackson are just a few of the celebrities who have eaten here. Now we can add our names to their list of “celebrity” guests.
We heard amazing things about Hyman’s Seafood and love great food. Plus, we found a coupon at the Charleston Visitor’s Center for a free appetizer. We simply had to check it out while visiting historic downtown Charleston. We arrived shortly before noon and were thrilled to discover we beat the rush. We were seated right away, near a window so that we could watch people walking the busy sidewalks outside. We ordered a delicious crab dip to get lunch started.
The kid’s meals were really well priced. Our adult entrees were mid-range, around $20 each. Hubby ordered a fish dish and I tried their world famous Carolina Delight, fried grits covered with an alfredo sauce, shrimp, and cajun seasoning. It came with a side of garlic toast and hush puppies and I ordered some sweet potato souffle. WOW! This dish was simply amazing! I had never had fried grits before and they were something else! The servings were very generous and we brought about half of our lunch home with us. My Carolina Delight was to die for and simply the best shrimp and grits I’ve ever had.
If you’re dining in Charleston, Hyman’s Seafood lives up to the hype. It is out of this world good. If we’re ever in the area again, I’d go back in a heartbeat. Hyman’s Seafood is Southern food and hospitality at its absolute finest!
Check it out at: http://www.hymanseafood.com/
Playing the Day Away at the Charleston Children’s Museum
We began our second very-full day in Charleston with the Charleston Children’s Museum. We heard great things about it from friends and love a good place for the kids to play, so we had to check it out!
Located right across the street from the Visitor’s Center, the Charleston Children’s Museum resides in a long, thin building. It was a bit odd looking, but we’re up for anything. At only $7 per ticket, it wasn’t too badly priced either (adults need tickets too). If you keep your sticker on, you can come and go from the museum for the rest of the day! Nice touch. There certainly was a lot to do! We started by creating masterpieces in the well-stocked art room, then moved on to the Castle. The kids had fun running around up and down the passageways and sending each other to the “dungeon!” I loved how they had “drying racks” in the art room where we could leave the kids’ art until we were ready to go home. It was great not to be dragging soggy wet paintings all over the place.
We didn’t stay in the Medieval Creativity Castle terribly long because a large school group arrived and was loud and wild. The little kids were getting run over and pushed around. Had we stayed longer, I’m sure the kids would have enjoyed the puppet area. It looked cute! We moved on to the Physics Raceways, where Hubby had just as much fun as the kids teaching them about leverage and such. The kids were occupied racing balls for a long time!
King Derek
Queen Bella's "Prisoners"
Queen Bella
The kids loved the water play room, Water Wise. It was well stocked with lots of water tables, waterfalls, boats, and bridges with cars. It was pretty impressive. The kids didn’t even get too soaked with their water smocks. This room beat our little backyard sand and water table any day.
Pirate loving Derek was excited to climb the indoor pirate ship in the pirate room! He steered the ship, commanded the crew from the captain’s cabin, and ordered his siblings to walk the plank. This room was super cute!
Lastly, we went shopping in The Charleston Market and spend a little while in the 0-3 year area. The kids could have spent the day “shopping”! Bella loved having her own shopping cart.
Overall, the Charleston Children’s Museum is a fun though small children’s museum. I think it’s silly to make parents pay when we’re not the ones playing, but that’s fairly common for children’s museums. The price was not too bad. It’s more expensive than the Jacksonville Children’s Museum and has fewer exhibits, although the Charleston Children’s Museum seems newer and cleaner.
If we lived in Charleston, we’d definitely get a membership and visit often. It was a fun place to occupy the kids and the staff were very friendly. I would definitely recommend a visit if you’re in the area! Check it out at: http://explorecml.org/cml/
Related articles
- Downtown Charleston On Foot- History, Amazing Architecture, and a Little Bit of Magic (homeschoolinghelicoptermama.wordpress.com)
Downtown Charleston On Foot- History, Amazing Architecture, and a Little Bit of Magic
Charleston, South Carolina, is a picturesque and historic city in the Deep South. Palm Trees mix into the vibrant fauna and brick roads seem as natural as the paved freeways passing through the state. This is where the Civil War began and the home of many famous authors throughout American history. This is where the sun shines hot and history runs deep.
We drove up to Charleston for Spring Break yesterday and ventured downtown first thing this morning for a little exploration. Charleston is a walking city. Houses hundreds of years old line the narrow streets that were build for horses and buggies, not SUVs. I loved the iron wrought gates and the breathtaking architecture. There were flowers everywhere and immaculate, expensive homes lining the streets. The atmosphere was magical. If I could have bottled it for inspiration, I would have. When I’m a famous novelist, I think I’ll live here.
A Revolutionary War Statue
This is a history lover’s city. I saw gorgeous pre-Revolutionary War homes in amazing condition as well as houses that have been in one family for over 200 years. I loved walking the streets and taking everything in. Every where I looked there was something amazing and beautiful. I loved the overflowing window boxes and the bright shutters. Each house was more magnificent than the last. I loved how many of them had little gates in front, holding back the world from their perfectly manicured gardens and fountain-laced yards. Gorgeous!
We covered only a small part of the city this morning and have several days left to enjoy the rest. There is still the shopping district to conquer! I think I’m having even more fun than the kids. What a toy shop is to the kids, a city full of history is to me!
I love the vibrancy and the easy, laid-back atmosphere of the South. In the Spring, it’s easy to forget the sweltering heat that awaits and to fall head-over-heals in love with the place.
After a little exploration, we headed back to the RV for lunch and rests. It’s very expensive to eat out with the kids and so cheap to make lunch ourselves at our home away from home. Plus I was dying to upload my pictures. We’ll head back out for more fun and adventures later in the day!
There are museums and plantations all over the place here. We’re going to visit the place where the Battle of Sumter began and perhaps a plantation. Tomorrow we’re going to go on a carriage tour of the city, something horse-loving Alexandria has been begging to do. Everyone is learning lots and making memories too. This is an amazing old city with a million possibilities. If you ever get the chance, check it out! /History comes alive and the air shimmers with magic and possibilities. You won’t regret it.
Searching for Fairies in Butterfly Hollow
There isn’t anything much in the world that Alexandria loves more than fairies, so we were very excited when the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens announced the opening of their newest exhibit, Butterfly Hollow. Not only are there butterflies, but there are also fairy houses throughout the exhibit just waiting to be discovered. We celebrated the first day of Spring with a fairy hunt in Butterfly Hollow.
Alex and her friends navigate the zoo
Alex and her BFF, Sophia (and the back of Derek's head)
My Beautiful Alex
Aw, look how cute! Not. She's actually throwing tiny rocks into the air. Her head was coated with them!
Butterflies!
Butterfly Hollow is an enclosed butterfly garden full of spring blooms, interesting recycled art, and lots of colorful butterflies. The wine bottle tree was an interesting touch and the tiny fairy houses were very cute. The little kids liked the water fall. Bella liked picking up the tiny white rocks that made the pathway and throwing them in the air. Oh joy.
An Adorable Fairy House
Bella and her friend discuss the best pebble throwing techniques
Brothers
Beautiful Spring Blooms!
Cute!
We visited the zoo today with our homeschool group and made some new friends! It’s so amazing meeting new families with which we have so much in common. The kids love seeing their friends and having fun. We’ve made so many great friends here in Jacksonville.
Ethan, Age 5 1/2
Alex watches the butterflies
Overall, Butterfly Hollow was very cute. It really paled in comparison to our visit to the Butterfly Rain Forest in Gainesville last month though. There were not many varieties of butterflies, the exhibit was very small, and the garden leaves much to be desired. It was very inexpensive, though, so you get what you pay for. It was only $6 for the kids and I to tour the Hollow.
Would we recommend it? Sure, if you’re already visiting the zoo. The fairy theme was cute but left a lot to be desired. The gift shop was small but had a few cute things. Alex got a butterfly ring and a fairy sticker book and Bella got a butterfly board book. It’s nothing like last year’s Dino Alive exhibit… but it’s not a bad way to spend some time.
My Four Babies
Isabella, Age 23 months
It’s a glorious first day of Spring here in Jacksonville. Sunny and 80+ degrees, we’re blowing up the pool this afternoon for a little neighborhood backyard pool party. It should be fun. After a morning walking the zoo, it’ll be the perfect way to start the season. I love the blossoming leaves and blooming flowers and crave the outdoors this time of year.
What did you do today to mark the start of Spring? Did you spot any fairies?
Interesting
The Kids and their friends
Some of our homeschool friends
Related articles
- A Rainbow of Glorious Butterflies Surround us at Gainesville’s Butterfly Rainforest (homeschoolinghelicoptermama.wordpress.com)
- How to Attract Butterflies to Your Garden (proflowers.com)
- Bye, Bye, Butterflies, Bye! (homeschoolinghelicoptermama.wordpress.com)
Bird Watching Adventures Throughout Africa and Wild Florida
While we did go bird watching yesterday, we didn’t have too much luck finding a variety of fowl. That’s largely because the kids are so loud. This morning we decided to go birding somewhere where we were guaranteed to see some birds: the zoo! Ethan brought his sketch book and Alex brought the older camera. Derek scribbled in his drawing pad during the drive and tired of it before we even reached the zoo. Bella brought herself and her dolly. Our mission? Find some interesting birds, preserve their portraits in either pencil or by camera, and talk about all we’ve learned about birds this week.
Although cloudy and breezy, it’s 84 degrees today in Jacksonville. It’s February. Strange, but I don’t mind. The kids were excited to go on a little safari and I was anxious to get some exercise, both for myself and for them. All in all, we walked the zoo for about two hours! That’s a lot for little legs!
We love the African Birds exhibit right inside the zoo. There are so many interesting birds to see and all in one spot. Ethan really likes to draw and was happy to have so many specimens. He was so cute standing there studying the birds, drawing on his drawing pad. Alex was excited to learn to use the camera better. She took about 300 pictures today! We talked a lot about how to zoom and come back to normal, how to hold the camera steady to take a picture, and how to use the flash. She’s a budding photographer!
Here are some random non-bird shots that I thought turned out nicely:
Our little adventure provided us with lots of opportunities to review things we’ve learned this week. We pointed out nests and talked about what they’re made of and what they’re used for. We saw that different birds make different kinds of nests. We talked about the purpose of feathers and how birds fly, their talons and beaks, and the way their bodies look. We talked about their different sizes, shapes, and colors. We discussed what they eat and how they take care of their babies. The kids were actively involved in the discussion and really learned a lot this week. Mission accomplished!
I brought my telephoto lens along today and had fun snapping pictures along with the kids. I’ve posted my favorites. I really never enjoyed bird watching before, but now it’s interesting to me. I guess I really just had to learn to slow down and smell the roses. Having a nice camera to capture the birds with helps. This is my type of “hunting.”
Nature observation is fantastic for the kids because it gives them a greater appreciation for living things. When we learn about how their bodies work, how they live and care for their young, and watch the interesting ways they move, eat, catch food, and sleep, they’re more than “just animals.” They’re living beings that share this great planet with us. The kids are learning to slow down and take in the world around them. Derek has a very long way to go with this, but Alex and Ethan are pros. Alex captures everything on her camera, and the most interesting things too. She was enthralled by different plants and how they contrasted with the sky behind them. She loved the plant and animal track impressions in the sidewalk and took some interesting photos of them. I love seeing the world through her eyes. It’s so fresh and new.
We’ve definitely been getting in our 10,000 steps per day lately! PE: check. Art: check. Science: Check. Plus, we listened to and sang along with our Classical Conversations memory work on the drive. Did I mention that Bella loves Latin conjugations? She sings along every time (to the best of her ability). It was a pretty multi-purpose school morning.
After a nice, healthy lunch, Ethan and Bella fell fast asleep. Alex listened to a Magic Treehouse book on tape about Mozart and Derek played with his animal stencils. At 3 pm, I need to get Ethan up and engage the kids in some book work time. The great thing about homeschooling is that our schedule is so flexible. If school lasts until 5 pm, so be it. It doesn’t mean that we’ve been slaving away over textbooks all day. The world is our classroom, and it’s brimming with exciting new things to see, do, and experience.
Before heading home, we walked through the front-gate gift shop. We found a colorful book about Florida birds and grabbed it. It’ll be great to learn what sort of birds are in our area. We already spotted a few in the book that we see regularly in our yard. I also found a habitat sticker book and some zoo animal stencils for Derek’s science time. There are so many cute things in that shop! Dangerous.
Another day done, another outing accomplished. The kids and I are both a bit sleepy. I think that’s the mark of a good day, don’t you?
I Spy a Cardinal! Bird Walks and Forest Adventures in the Florida Wilderness
It was unusually warm outside today, even for Florida. At 9 am, the temperature was already above 70 degrees. It is technically still winter, right? We began our school day with a “bird walk.” Drawing pads and pencils in hand, we headed out to the NAS Jacksonville nature trails.
As we neared the trails, we spotted a jolly red cardinal! The bigger kids began drawing to the best of their abilities. Derek scribbled a bit, then threw his drawing pad under the stroller. I told them to stand quietly a moment and listen to the different bird songs. There were many varieties!
We saw surprisingly few birds out and about, probably because Derek was so darn loud. I reminded him that if he was loud, he would frighten the wildlife away. There were plenty of butterflies, though! They really liked Alex’s hair flower and flittered and fluttered about her head.
Alex and Ethan drew lots of birds, plants, and butterflies throughout our walk. After about 20 minutes or so, all the drawing pads were stored under the stroller and the kids ran, explored, and frolicked along the trail. They got a lot of exercise!
Our forest adventure lasted an hour and a half. The kids got in some great science time, a bit of art, and lot of physical fitness time too. They were all quite tired by the time we meandered home, ready to focus on some school work. Bella was ready for a good, long nap.
We love exploring and spending time together in the great outdoors. Perhaps eventually I can even convince them to tone down the volume and we’ll see some interesting Florida wildlife. Besides for gators… I really don’t want to see any gators. A cardinal or two will always do.
