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)
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.
Sometimes a Challenge is a Gift in Disguise :-)
Two years ago today, we welcomed a baby girl into this world. She was induced so that she could meet her daddy just before he left for a long deployment. I was scared about raising her alone. I didn’t know how I would survive a caring for a newborn with no help… and three older kids to care for. I remember that when we found out we were expecting, I was terrified. The pregnancy was certainly not expected. Our first deployment as a family was right around the corner and the timing couldn’t have been worse. Who would be there when I had the baby? Who would help me out if I had to have a c-section? It was a big deal. Do you know what is amazing? Looking back, it wasn’t that big of a deal after all. I looked at it as a hurdle to conquer…. when in reality it was a gift. Bella has grown into a beautiful, sassy, smart, creative, and VERY energetic little girl and I can’t imagine life without her. There were moments of intense frustration, but there were many more moments of joy, amazement, and bliss. If this isn’t a lesson to leave things in God’s hands, I don’t know what is. There isn’t anything you can’t do. There isn’t anything that is impossible or too hard. If you let God take charge, it will be just fine.
I need to remind myself of this daily. I am a planner and a worry wart. It’s hard to let go and not know what will happen next. I think that’s part of growing up and developing spiritually. Sometimes a challenge is actually a gift in disguise, and sometimes that gift comes wrapped in pink ruffles and a diaper.
Today our little lady turns two. She’s a handful, but she’s one of the most loving little girls I know. She loves to he held (on her terms) and adores her baby dolls. She loves frilly dresses and digging in the mud. She never stops moving and has a whole lot to say. Bella was the perfect child to finish off our family and I thank God every day that things worked out as they did.
Say a little prayer
What have I learned in the process? It’s not impossible to survive deployments (and all the workups!). It’s hard, but not impossible. I learned to be fiercely independent and to do things for myself. I became a better mother. I learned to have more patience and to appreciate my kids more. I learned to search for strength from within– and from God– when things get tough and how to fix practically anything.
Hubby can’t share this big day with us, but that’s okay too. We’re a family no matter where he is. I’ve learned to be more flexible and to accept that sometimes things don’t work out exactly as I’d like. I was miffed when I found out he’d miss her birthday, but learned to accept it. There’s no point being mad at Hubby for things he can’t control. We’ll celebrate with the great friends we have here and know Hubby’s celebrating from afar. There will be many more birthdays where he’ll be home, I’m sure. Plus we can celebrate together later, right?
I’ll say the taboo: being a military wife sucks sometimes. It’s really hard to explain to a child why daddy missed their birthday but was home for their sibling’s birthday. The kids get emotional and moody and don’t understand why things have to change so much. But do you know what else? It’s also great. I love my Hubby and am extremely proud of what he does. The challenges can be overwhelming, but we always overcome them. Always. No military wife knows what she’s getting into when she marries her man. It’s impossible to know what it’ll feel like to go through deployments and separations. It is hard. I’m thankful for those who have reached out to lend a hand… or an ear.. along the way.
If you’re facing a deployment and feel overwhelmed, fear not. It will be hard. It will be scary. But it will NOT be impossible and it will not last forever. Soon you’ll be together again and it will be a memory. If you need support or have questions about surviving deployment, email me! It will be a challenge, but sometimes a challenge is a gift in disguise. You’ll soon discover that you’re made of much tougher stuff than you ever imagined. Two years from now, will it really seem so bad?
A Little Monet in the Morning Does the Body Good
Alex's Monet Impression
When we visited the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens earlier this week, I was really impressed with the pond entirely covered in lily pads. I’ve seen one or two on a pond, but hundreds? It was pretty interesting. It reminded me of a beautiful painting by the French artist Monet and I had to look it up online when we got home. Later that evening, as I delved into a new review book about a homeschooling family, I read about the heroine’s sister’s children doing Monet impressions in their ritzy Dallas private school. My four kids won’t be going to a $20,000 per year school (or we won’t be able to afford food, shelter, and clothing and no one wants to see that … but we could definitely incorporate a little Monet into our morning! Plus it tied in perfectly to our nature walk. Here are the results!
To begin our lesson, I read to the kids about Monet’s life and we looked through lots of his art on the Ipad. I loaded our lily pad portrait and told the kids we would be recreating it. I didn’t care at all what medium they used and it didn’t have to look exactly like the painting. We would use Monet’s masterpiece for inspiration and add our own personal flair.
This is what we were trying to accomplish
Seven-year-old Alex is quite an artist and got completely absorbed in her project. She used charcoal, paint, crayons, glue, and tissue paper to create her own masterpiece. She worked on it for 1 1/2 hours in the morning, a few hours in the evening, and then finished it today! I was completely blown away with her results. She’s so amazingly creative. She crimped her tissue paper to make lovely lily flowers. How original! She was so proud of her work that we framed it and put it on display in the living room!
During art time yesterday, Alex was so slow and careful with her work that in 1 1/2 hours she had only pasted 8-10 green tissue squares on her page. In other words, 95% of the page was still empty. I told my mom and she said, “You know, you can’t rush art.” Whew, self. Patience. I need to work on that.I know deep down that it doesn’t matter if a project takes 30 minutes or 30 days… but in the mean time can it have a general time frame?
Ethan did really well too. He drew his picture with pencil, then colored it with crayon. He was very proud of himself too.
I love watching my kids express themselves. They are so proud of themselves when they create something interesting and new. Plus, it keeps them occupied for a very long time.
Now we can sound fancy too. Yes, my children created Monet impressions during art time today. Or they drew the lily pads we saw at the Arboretum. Or…. they made green splotches on their construction paper for no apparent reason and had a good time doing so! Art is fun and freeing and can be so beautiful. I hope the kids will learn to appreciate it as they grow and recognize some of the more famous pieces throughout history. I happen to think that a little Monet in the morning does the body good.
Alex's Monet Impression
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.
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.
Related articles
- Fort Moultrie Cannon Row Upgrade Project (markerhunter.wordpress.com)
- Cannonfire marks 150th anniversary of Civil War (cbsnews.com)
- Trivia: Sumter’s Law and the “Black Currency” (jubiloemancipationcentury.wordpress.com)
- The Civil War, 150 years later (cbsnews.com)
- Downtown Charleston On Foot- History, Amazing Architecture, and a Little Bit of Magic (homeschoolinghelicoptermama.wordpress.com)
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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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.
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?
Bye, Bye, Butterflies, Bye!
Our butterflies have set out into the world, soaring into the sky above Jacksonville and into the great blue yonder. It was kind of sad to see them go, but wonderful too.
Our last chrysalis hatched on Sunday and we’ve been enjoying our four active painted lady butterflies. We gave them a piece of orange to suck the nectar. It was really interesting to watch! The weather warmed a bit today and although it’s cloudy, it’s not raining. It was time to let our butterflies out into the world to enjoy the rest of their short lives. We read that an adult butterfly lives for 14-21 days. Rather sad, isn’t it?
As soon as we unzipped the butterfly habitat, the most anxious butterfly fluttered right out. The remaining three were not so interested and needed some urging. Each eventually flew carefully out and landed not far outside of the habitat, testing their wings. One of the butterflies kept landing on us, as if he didn’t want to leave at all. Bella squealed with delight each time one of the butterflies moved. The butterflies left one at a time, giving us to time enjoy each one individually.
Eventually, each of the butterflies took off and fluttered into the sky.
Our butterfly and ladybug experiences were phenomenal learning experiences. We released our ladybugs into the flower bed today as well. They are crawling merrily about the bushes, looking for an aphid snack. The children learned a lot about how things grow and change and gained a greater appreciation for living things. No matter how small, every life is worth something.
We’re keeping our butterfly habitat in case we decide to do this again. I definitely think we will. This is a project we could enjoy year after year as the younger kids grow up and begin to learn more about their world. Derek learned so much from our studies. Just this morning he was explaining to me how a caterpillar grows and changes into a butterfly…. for the millionth time. It sure made an impression on him!
Bye, bye, butterflies, bye! We will miss you.
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Early Morning Adventures! Donuts, Daring Escapades, and Chilly Nature Walks Too!
My kids have always been early risers, and while I would like to sleep past 7 am once in a while their laughter and loud running and jumping wakes me even on Saturdays. Today was no different. The early morning sun peered through my window and Derek’s loud songs involving pirates and monsters filled the air. Another day, another adventure, right?
I was determined that this morning should be special, not just another Saturday morning doing nothing. How about crack open that Entertainment Book we desperately need to use before we move? Derek confirmed my thoughts, dancing into my room, “I have an idea! I have an idea! Daddy won’t be home till tonight, right? How about we go to Dunkin Donuts right now and I can eat 5 donuts?” He’s so crazy, I love him so much. I agreed that we could go out for breakfast, but that he could not eat 5 donuts because that wouldn’t be healthy.
The kids scrambled to get dressed and head out for an adventure. We loaded into the Armada, pulled out the Dunkin Donuts coupon, and fetched a box of chocolate-frosted donuts. Clarke House Park was practically deserted so early in the morning (8:30 or so) and we had our choice of picnic tables for our breakfast-on-the-town. I’m glad I remembered baby wipes for frosting-coated faces!
We very rarely eat pastries, so this was a real treat for the kids. I can’t seem to eat them without gaining 5 lbs. Our coupon was for 6 donuts for $3, just enough for us to split between us without going overboard. The kids finished quickly and were anxious to run into the park. Derek calls it the “Pirate Park” because there’s a large wooden pirate ship inside. Alex was so sweet as she finished up her treat, “You’re the best mom ever! You plan the most funnest trips!”
Only 10 minutes from NAS Jacksonville, the Clarke House Park on Kingsley Rd is one of our favorite hang-outs. It has been a few months since we’ve been there, but as soon as we pulled up Derek hollered, “I know this place! This is my most funnest park!” I love how much energy the kids expend, climbing, running, and swinging. It was surprisingly cold out and I’m glad we remembered our jackets. It must have rained last night too, as the slides were damp. Derek ran and zoomed down the big slide, then ran around yelling “My butt is wet! My butt is wet!” He worries me with his constant, daring escapades: running full speed ahead at all times, diving down slides head first, and jumping from too-high places. It is amazing that child has never broken any bones. Life is never dull.
Eeeew! They have dirt here!
After an hour of play time, we hit up the nature trails behind the play area. The trail is pretty short, so we did it twice. I love seeing the kids run and explore, walking along logs like balance beams and finding “treasures” among the pine cones and leaves.
“Why we need so much nature-y walking?” Derek asked. “I want to climb and play.”
“It’s good to walk and get some exercise,” I replied.
“Why you needing so much walking?” he asked, famous for his constant “why” questions.
“Mommies need exercise,” I told him. “Lots of exercise.”
He accepted that and ran after his sister. Alex and Derek get along so well. They are very much alike, constantly curious and up for anything. Ethan kept close to the stroller. He doesn’t like things that are new. Bella ran and had fun too. She kept tripping on her little feet, though, and ended up back in the stroller. We definitely got in some steps today!
Derek and Alex are great buddies
Exploration
We love nature walks!
We walked through the butterfly garden and explored the early spring roses and peonies. They were gorgeous! Alex picked up plenty of flowers from the ground and brought a couple of them home.
We spent another 15-20 minutes at the play park before calling it a morning and heading home for Bella’s nap. Our adventure lasted a good 2 hours! I’m tired and could use a nap now. Why is it that Derek still has tons of reserve energy and is running around like a wild man? That boy is C-R-A-Z-Y! And I love him every day for it.
A Rainbow of Glorious Butterflies Surround us at Gainesville’s Butterfly Rainforest
We traveled to a whole new world today. Fragrant tropical flowers lightened the air and the gentle tinkling of a flowing creek and falling waterfall serenaded our walk. The flowers were so fragrant, I could have lost myself in them. Hundreds upon hundreds ofbutterflies fluttered and flew through the air, soaring and diving and perching prettily on flowers and leaves. Every color imaginable graced the wings of these lovely insects, creating a variable rainbow above us.
To compliment our Butterfly Study, the children and I took a field trip to the Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Located in Gainesville and part of the University of Florida, the Butterfly Rainforest is something that can only be seen to be believed. We loved it so much that we toured it twice!
Bella's Secret Garden
Alex loved the beautiful butterflies!
Our friend Evie looks into the pond
Before entering the Butterfly Rainforest, we learned all about butterflies in the inside exhibits. The butterfly hatchery was really neat! We saw all sorts of cocoons and hatching butterflies. This really reinforced the information the kids have been learning about the butterfly lifecycle. The definite highlight of the butterfly exhibit is the huge, ourdoor, screened habitat full of flowers, a fish pond and waterfalls, and hundreds of live butterflies flying about, resting, eating, and chasing one another.
The sight literally takes one’s breath away. I had to stop and stare for a moment. The view was so stupendous, like something from a dream. I wish my mom and grandma could be here to see it. They would love it and, like me, could spend hours there.
Alex searches for the butterflies on her guide and labels them
Butterflies Feeding
My Four Little Scientists
Derek's Friend
There are 55-65 different species of butterfly in the Butterfly Rainforest and they come from all over the world. They are such amazing creatures. I don’t think I had nearly as much respect for them before our visit.
Our neighbors and friends Jordan and Evie came along with us on today’s field trip. It was really nice to get to talk and share the experience! This museum is something everyone who visits Northern Florida should visit! The best part is that, apart from the Butterfly Rainforest, the museum is free. The rainforest does cost money to visit, but it’s well worth the experience! I think it’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. I’ve been to plenty of butterfly gardens, but they paled in comparison to this. At 6,400 sq. ft, this exhibit is nothing to laugh at.
Bella and her BFF Evie
Alex's New "Hair Accessory"
Ethan and a lovely buterfly
Mama's Bella
I had fun with my new camera! There aren’t many places where one can get to close to so many live butterflies!
The kids were filled with excitement. They were awed by how close they could get to the butterflies and loved pointing out each one they saw. It was such a great learning experience. Today’s adventure taught them more about butterflies than reading a dozen books ever could. Real life tends to be the best educator.
Checking out the butterflies
Wonder
Mama and Bella
Can't Get Enough Baby Kisses!
Today’s weather was perfect for some exploring. I wouldn’t recommend going when it’s too hot or raining since it is an outdoor exhibit. I also can’t believe it’s 82 degrees on February first!
The kids loved how the butterflies would land on them if they held still for a few minutes. It was pretty awesome! They have been talking about it ever since.
Our Family
Look at that!
A butterfly lands on our friend
The Florida Museum of Natural History is a lovely gem that really should be enjoyed. It’s a bit of a drive from home (1 hr, 40 min), but worth every moment of the experience.
We finished off our visit with a picnic lunch and some art appreciation. There was a crazy statue of a man hammering or something. It raised its arm up and down with a clanging noise. Derek said, “I don’t like that guy. He is creepy. Lets get out of here.”
Alexandria really enjoyed her field trip. She says that seeing all the butterflies was the best part of all.
My favorite part? Watching them sleep in the car on the drive home, their brains thoroughly stimulated and tired from a morning full of new sights, sounds, and experiences. Isn’t that the best kind of morning? I love this hands-on, fun, and memorable-type of education. I think we all learned something new.
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Three Kids with Hammers and Nails= Three Unique Dinosaur Creations and a Roaring Good Time
Woodworking teaches kids to follow directions, enhances fine motor skills, teaches patience, boosts self-confidence, and results in a creation they can be proud of. That is why we love Lowe’s Build-and-Grow workshops Today my three little builders created ferocious T-rexes. They had so much fun!
Even Derek is an avid builder!
What do I do next, Daddy?
Look who is building without crying!
My most beautiful builder
Hubby was home today and I talked him into coming to help with the class. He came and tried convincing me he’d be most helpful walking through the store with Bella. That would be helpful, but not as helpful as directing three children with a woodworking project. I brought snacks for Bella and while she wasn’t happy to be in the stroller, she did stay there and eat her snacks. Three young children each building a rather complicated project is quite a challenge!
Each child laid their supplies out in front of them and we all read the steps together, one at a time. Hubby and I helped the kids line up their parts and start the nails, then the kids nailed them the rest of the way. We did one step at a time and made sure everyone was done before moving to the next step. This teaches the kids to work together and also to be patient. They talked each other through the more difficult parts of the project. They also worked on sorting and size comparison to find the correct size nails from their bags.
The project was a bit complicated, but we made it through without having to re-do very many parts. The only child who was a bit to anxious to get ahead was Alex, who nailed the wrong piece of dinosaur onto the wrong side of the wrong part. Ooops. Mom fixed it and told her to listen and wait for the rest of the kids to finish.
Ethan's "Special" Dinosaur
Look what we made!
The kids were all very proud of their dinosaurs and covered them with stickers. Like their own personalities, each child’s dinosaur was all very different. Bella wanted her own dinosaur too. Perhaps in a few months we’ll let her try as well. That seems super young, but Derek began his first woodworking class at age 2 when Hubby was deployed. It’s a fun and important part of all of their educations.
The best part of the class is that each kid comes home with a new, free toy. They’ve been playing with their dinosaurs for the last few hours now, roaring happily and stagingbattles between the warring tribes of dinos. I think it’s a win-win situation. They learned a lot AND they have something new to play with.
If you haven’t tried Lowes’ Build-and-Grow Workshop, you definitely should. It’s free, twice-monthly, and so much fun. Next month we’re going to make valentine’s boxes and race cars. The kids get certificates and badges each time as well. The boys have the bad habit of pulling their badges off their aprons, but Alex has developed quite a collection. You can sign up online for their free classes. It’s so much fun! Perhaps we’ll see you there.
This is so cool!
Our Herd
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We’ve Got Bugs! ((Don’t Call The Exterminator))
The bugs are here! The bugs are here! Those are four words no one ever wants to hear, let alone utter from their own mouth. Then why did that phrase elicit squeals of delight and stampeding children this afternoon when the UPS man rang the doorbell? And why, one might ask, would one be getting bugs delivered via UPS anyway? What is this world coming to?
Next week kicks off our big Animal Life unit, and part of our study revolves around how living things grow and change. What better way is there to learn about science than to see it happening first hand? I ordered Painted Lady Caterpillars, live ladybug larvae, and earthworm eggs, each with their unique habitats, from Insect Lore on Tuesday and they arrived this afternoon! The kids will see first hand how things grow and change and come to understand a bit about how the life cycle works.
The packages said, “Open Immediately” and we did just that. First, we opened the Ladybug kit. The tiny larvae arrived in a plastic vile. We snapped together their habitat and added a bit of water, then emptied the larvae and food into the see-through, domed habitat. We’ll watch the larvae eat, drink and grow as the metamorphosis process occurs right before us!
My little scientist
Ladybug Land
What is this?
The Earthworm Habitat came next. The earthworm eggs came in clay balls, and we had to soak them for 30 minutes. The clay loosened and came off, revealing the earthworm eggs inside. They looked a lot like brown apple seeds. We soaked the dirt brick and put the soft dirt into the Earthworm Nursery, then placed the eggs and water in the Hatchery. According to the pamphlet, the earthworms will start hatching any day! We’re excited to watch the worms grow from eggs and eventually let them go in the flowerbed when we plant our spring flowers.
Our earthworm eggs are soaking
Earthworm eggs!
Earthworm Habitat
Our butterfly larvae must stay in their container until they turn into cocoons in a few weeks. We’ll then place the cocoons in a butterfly pavilion. We’ll watch them grow from caterpillars to chrysalis to beautiful spring butterflies. We can hardly wait!
Caterpillars!
The older two kids will be keeping a journal about the bugs and worms as they grow and develop. They were excited to start this evening, drawing pictures of the tiny babies and writing a bit about them.
Hard at work writing about worms
Ethan checks out the earthworm eggs through the magnifying glass
Alex's Worm Observation Book
The next few weeks will be exciting and brimming with new experiences. I never thought I’d have pet bugs in my house. Homeschooling really changes how you view things, I guess! It’s an awesome experiment and I think the kids will remember it for years to come. We’ll be sure to post updates as our bugs and worms grow and develop.
This will be a month to remember.
Art Class at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens
One of our favorite places to hang out in Jacksonville is the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. We adore their Tuesday evening art class. We haven’t been for a while and decided that art class would be the perfect way to top off our day.
Alexandria was thrilled to be dropped off for art class and the other children were excited to explore the museum. There were three other homeschooled kids in her class. Crazy, huh? She had an awesome time giggling and gabbing with the girls. We headed out to the gardens to burn off some energy. I chased Bella around the gardens for almost 40 minutes. That kid is tireless! Between mad dashes after the toddler, I also enjoyed playing with the new camera.
Follow us on a little adventure through the Gardens…
Exploring the Garden
I was surprised how many flowers were blooming in the garden, considering it is January. It has been a very warm, spring-like winter here in Florida. I’m dying to plant flowers at home and have to keep reminding myself it’s winter. The gardens were lovely and refreshing and the kids really enjoyed exploring them. I let them search every nook and cranny. There were few people around and it was a glorious way to spend an evening! Which shot do you like best?
Alex had a great time at art class and talked my ears off all the way home. She made a landscape with tissue paper. She talked more than crafted in class and had to finish it at home. Here are some shots of art time!
Alex’s Art Class
Alex's final masterpiece. Why she taped a flower on it only she knows...
I hope the kids have fond memories of our time in Jacksonville when they grow up. I’m so happy for all the fun, cultural experiences we’ve been able to enjoy. If you’re ever in Jacksonville, you simply must check out the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. It’s a true gem.
Playing Around With the New Camera!
Hubby got me a new camera today and I’ve had a ton of fun experimenting this afternoon. I love how clear and focused the shots are. I have a lot to learn, but here are some of my first shots with my first DSLR!
Alex
Bella
Derek
Ethan
The Jacksonville Zoo Has a New Baby Giraffe!
1-year-old Savannah the Giraffe
While looking through last weekend’s newspaper, we came across an exciting headline. The Jacksonville Zoo had a new addition: a baby giraffe! We simply had to squeeze a zoo visit into our school week!
Yesterday morning we packed up and headed to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens with a great friend. I’ll bet her boys were envious that she got to go to the zoo while they were at school! Not only did we enjoy the regular exhibits, but we also caught glimpses of the new baby giraffe in his enclosure with his mommy giraffe. I couldn’t get a good picture apart from little legs as he ran sporadically about… but I got a few of the 1-year-old giraffe Savannah! She was last year’s Christmas Eve baby. It was so cute how she kept peeking over the baby giraffe’s enclosure as if to say, “Oooh! A playmate!”
Looking for Giraffes
Ethan and Alex
Hey, I'm the baby!
The kids enjoyed running around and seeing all the animals. We shared a picnic lunch near the fountain and walked some more!
Look at me climbing everything!
A beautiful jaguar! Go Jacksonville Jaguars!
Look! I'm climbing more things! I'm a crazy monkey!
Look carefully in the bushes!
Our friend Juanita treated us to a train ride before we came home. The kids were excited. They love trains! Bella kept saying,”Choo! Choo!”
We love trains!
Too cute!
We had a fun little field trip to add some excitement to our week! We always love the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. There’s always something new to do and see. Plus, mommy gets her 10,000 steps in for the day! It’s really a win-win situation. We are going to miss our wonderful zoo when we move!
Duck, Duck, Goose! Crazy Fowl on the Loose!
After several hours of school work, I asked the kids if they’d like to feed some ducks at the park. They hurried to finish their projects and excitedly gathered their socks, shoes, and sweaters for a little adventure. I filled a plastic baggie with torn bread for each of them and we gathered into the Armada. After being stuck inside yesterday due to inclement weather, I wanted to get outside and stretch. They needed some running-around time in the cool, fresh air. Field Trip!
I remembered seeing a cool gazebo and duck pond in the Argyle area of Orange Park and decided it was high time we checked it out. Luck would have it that there was also a playground! The kids squealed when they saw a few ducks as we pulled up. The ducks started following us to the park. This was hilarious. The kids were practically keeling over with laughter. Then more ducks arrived. And geese. And egrets. And seagulls. Suddenly, we were engulfed in a sea of 100+ geese and other fowl begging for bread! Holy cow! I have never seen so many different kinds of birds gathered on one spot in my entire life! The kids’ eyes got really big and they quickly spread the bread pieces among the masses. We felt like Marie Antoinette’s family staring down at the masses of hungry rioters begging for bread. At least we didn’t say, “Let them eat cake!” I was glad I wore my boots in case I needed to kick a too-eager bird and start running. They were quite crazy and very determined to be fed!
Here come the Geese!
Mobbed!!!! Run!
Once our bags were empty, we high-tailed it to the playground. A small groups of ducks followed us while most of the rest made their way to the pond. Another group waited for the next unsuspecting family to fall into their devious trap.
:-)
The playground itself was rather old and worn, but the novelty of it made it fresh and fun. The kids ran and climbed, slid and balanced on the balance beam. Bella kept trying to chase ducks. “Duckie!” she screeched. “Duckie! Duckie! Quack! Quack!” I spent my time chasing her and rescuing her from herself before putting her into a baby swing with a nice view of the ducks on the pond.
Duckie!!!! Duckie!!!!
Derek the Explorer
Stay, baby, stay!
Next, we checked out the large white gazebo resting over the pond. It offered a great view of the various birds swimming on, resting near, and flying over the water. The kids were contained and liked running from one side of the gazebo to the other to see all they could see. Fortunately we were the only visitors, so I wasn’t concerned about them bothering people with their excited running and noise.
Wow! Look at that, mommy!
My four avid learners on an adventure!
This was the best sort of adventure: close to home, unpredictable, full of interesting things to see, and free. The kids had so much fun. They ran around like crazy and talked non-stop on the way home about the things they had seen. There were of course those moments I feared we were about to be mobbed by water fowl, but fortunately we survived unscathed. Alex says we just need to bring an entire loaf of bread next time. I’m not sure Daddy will agree to that. This was an outing I don’t think they’ll soon forget! Quack!
Get that duck!
Mobbed!!!! Run!
TExt
Everyone Needs a Baby Sister! Bella Turns 21-Months Old
I couldn’t resist sharing these pictures from our impromptu photo shoot this afternoon. As I was working out in the living room, 21-month-old kept running into the room and yelling, “Peek!” and then running away laughing. After the third of fourth time, I grabbed my camera.
Everyone needs an adorable baby sister, right? Bella sure thinks so. I can’t believe she’s going to be 21-months old next week. It doesn’t seem possible. What happened to my newborn? She talks, makes “jokes,” and plays now. She’s turned into a real person with opinions and a little attitude too. I love my little lady.
Peek-a-boo!
I am soooo funny, I crack myself up!
"Hiding"
Mama's Lovey
Lil’ Miss Learns To Sew
While playing on the American Girl website this morning, my seven-year-old daughter managed to design a sewing “sampler” and print half a dozen colorful variants. She arranged them on the table, carefully analyzed each one, and stated, “This is it. Mom, I’m going to sew a sampler.”
Lil' Miss Computer Head
The Sampler
A sampler? Really? “Alex,” I reminded her, “You don’t know how to sew and that looks very complicated. How about we start with something easier?”
“Mom!” she replied with exasperation. “It’s not hard. All you do is pull some thread through fabric and you’re done! I saw it on Tinkerbell!”
After a bit of convincing, she agreed to start with something a tad easier for her very first sewing attempt. We raided the craft closet for a needle and thread as well as a random piece of felt. I showed her how to make a basic stitch and she eagerly took over, sewing all sorts of shapes. The challenge was getting her to pull the thread all the way through to avoid knotting. She had so much fun, she was completely absorbed in her project for most of the morning.
The “sampler” soon became a “pillow” stuffed with cotton balls. And, as no project is complete without hot glue and bright ribbons, the pillow was decked out in no time.
Alex was very proud of her “Doll Pillow” and couldn’t wait to show it off.
Voila!
Alex's First Sewing Project
Sewing is really a lost art among today’s girls. No, it’s not outdated or terribly old-fashioned. Sewing skills are useful. It’s handy to be able to mend your own torn clothes or sew on a fallen button. Taking torn clothes to a seamstress for even basic mending is really expensive! Sewing builds skills as well as self-confidence. Plus, it’s fun. I hope that when Alexandria leaves home, she has a whole variety of life skills at her disposal.
For her first sewing project, I think she did pretty awesome. I remember loving learning to sew when I was a little girl too, even if I rarely do it now. While it may not be a fancy sampler, it’s a start! She’s already begging to make something else. First she has to clean her room. Who know what other “masterpieces” may soon grace our house.
We Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Waiting for Christmas!
Merry Christmas! While we’ve been celebrating the holiday season all month, today was the day the kids have been anxiously awaiting all year long. Christmas! Christmas Day means they could finally open the pile of presents waiting for them under the tree. It’s the highlight of a month of holiday cheer. I was just as excited as they were for them to open their surprises!
Yesterday, Alex worked hard to frost and decorate a batch of sugar cookies with red and green sprinkles and make some homemade snowman ornaments for her friends in our neighborhood. We wrapped them up in little bags with bright red paper and we set out on a walk. She was so happy to deliver her gifts and was really touched by how much her friends appreciated her gesture. Christmas is about so much more than getting presents. You’d never know that by watching TV commercials nowadays (shop more, spend more, get more). The season is about giving.
Last night, we went to a Christmas Eve service at a church in Argyle and learned all about the virtue of generosity. This tied in well with our Christmas lesson perfectly. It’s important to think of others and to give to our friends, family, and even strangers. I want my kids to realize this.. and the church service really helped. It was a song-filled, colorful, funny performance that had all of them laughing and sometimes dancing. It also reinforced our lessons on the true meaning of Christmas: the birth of Christ. We read the story of Jesus’ birth before bed on Christmas Eve as well, along with the homemade apple pie. I was happy when Ethan (Finally!!) answered correctly my question why we celebrate Christmas. I’ve been quizzing him all month and time after time he’s gotten it wrong. “Presents?” He’d guess. “Cookies?” No. Last night I asked him the million-dollar question, “Ethan, why do we celebrate Christmas?” His eyes lit up and he replied, “To celebrate the birth of Jesus!” Hooray! It only took a month, but I think the lesson may have finally sunk in! Too few of today’s children realize that there’s a deep, wonderful meaning to Christmas, much more special than Santa and his sleigh full of toys and dozens of expensive gifts under the tree. I hope these lessons resonate in my children’s for the rest of their lives. If not, I can cram them into their heads again next year.
All Four Kids On Christmas Eve 2011
It’s way too easy to get swept into the spirit of more, more, more. I love to shop and the endless hours of commercials advertising great buys on clothes, toys, and electronics that have been infiltrating our house since September make it awfully hard not to go overboard. The kids’ wish lists got longer with each passing day and we quickly broached (and passed) our $50 per kid limit. We had to consciously stop and say we wouldn’t buy any more presents. It was hard. There were small slip-ups. Christmas morning arrived with more toys per child than we should have gotten. They did love their presents, though! Perhaps next year we’ll stick to our guns a bit more successfully.
Bella loves her new ballet bear!
Look at Bella about to steal his toy!
Ethan really enjoyed his new coloring book
Alex was so thrilled to get her much-sought-after Silvermist Fairy Doll
While we do still do Santa, we try and make that a very minor part of our holiday. The main presents are from mom and dad, grandpa and grandma, aunts and uncles, etc. Not Santa. We talked about the Nativity story and thankfulness again today, amongst the hours of play time. The kids had such a grand time with their presents as well as comparing presents with their friends and neighbors outside. Each of them received gifts they’d been pining for. Alex was overjoyed to get a Silvermist Fairy Doll and a scooter. Derek was in heaven with his pirate play set and locking treasure box. He played with it all day. Bella was so excited about her baby doll, she could barely wait to get it out of its package and played with her dolly and stroller all day long. Tomorrow we’ll start Thank You Notes for every relative who was kind enough to send them a Christmas gift. Showing gratitude for what we’re given is so important, and also lacking in our culture. They may not enjoy it now, but I hope they learn the importance of Thank You notes and continue to go out of their way to tell others how thankful they are for what they’re given. A mother can hope, right?
Pure Joy
Bella loves her dolly!
My lil' pirate is all decked out now!
I hope that next year we spend less and that the children are thankful for fewer gifts. We do say this each year and maybe one day we’ll reach that goal. It’s not the price or the number of presents that matters, but the thought and generosity behind the gift. We’ve got a ways to go. We’re not perfect though and some Target sales are just too much for my weak willpower… but we’ll try and learn from our mistakes as we grow older and gain more experience. I know the kids had a phenomanal Christmas. I did too. I think it was the best in years. May they continue to be more special and full of wonderful memories in years to come.
We wish each and every one of you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May 2012 be full of wonders and joy. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
