Showing posts with label state park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label state park. Show all posts

Friday, July 1, 2011

The Homeschool Mother's Journal: June 25 - July 1

In My Life This Week
With J's friend T in tow, the kids and I drove to the island to spend the week with my family. And the chicks stayed behind. Guess what THAT means? Yup! We need a coop! Oh! And does anyone want a rooster? They're REALLY cute! LOL 
The Rocky Atlantic Coast
Places We're Going and People We're Seeing
Day 1 - We picked S up from his weekend sleepover with at my ILs. We stopped to see Eartha, the Guinness World Record globe at Delorme, and shopped at LL Bean, eating a picnic lunch by the big Bean boot. We visited 3 different state parks, played on playgrounds, walked some trails, saw a lighthouse, explored oceanside, and stamped our passports. And sampled fudge at Perry's Nut House.
C, S, T and J Getting Stepped on by the BIG Bean Boot
My Monkeys on the Playground
Fort Point State Park
Day 2 - EARLY morning! We dropped C off to horse camp and headed to the fort to explore and have a picnic lunch. We braved going up 420 feet in an elevator on a bridge to see beautiful ocean views! After picking up C (who mucked out 5 stalls, curried horses, learned about the English saddle, and got her first riding lesson), stopped for ice cream. We made pizza for dinner and had birthday cake (for my parents) and then spent the evening at the rocky ocean beach, swimming, searching for crabs, playing in the sand.
420 Feet Up THERE!
The View
N Reading About the Fort
S Sitting on the Canon Balls
Day 3 - C headed back to horse camp. The rest of us walked the bog boardwalk. (Was it hot, humid!) We had lobster rolls or hot dogs for dinner then headed to the beach again. I read a Kindle book (on my Mom's Kindle) and the kids swam, explored and climbed rocks until the mosquitoes swarmed.
J's Inuksuit at the Beach
Cousin N Exploring a Bog Flower Seeds
S and N Searching for Frogs in the Bog
Day 4 - A day without busyness! The kids were ASKING to stay home so Mom and Dad headed off with C to drop her off at horse camp and the rest of us, including my niece had a lazy day of reading, watching TV, playing video games, and drawing. We headed off island to watch "Mr. Popper's Penguins" after dinner. Unfortunately, I felt sicker and sicker throughout the day and decided to go to the ER after the movie. It turns out I have a sinus infection AND infections in both ears.

Day 5 - C's horse show! On her final day of camp, she showed us all that she learned - putting on an English saddle, riding, balance skills, a parade routine, and even the beginning of jumping! Her instructor said, "She's a natural!" and invited her back in July to ride with them in the town parade! I spent the rest of the day resting while the kids went swimming with family and C and S spent the night with my sister.
Isn't She Cute in her Riding Uniform?
She was VERY Serious About Riding
C with her Ribbon and Trophy
Day 6 - Relief already! I'm feeling better! Antibiotics are a GOOD thing! C has a friend over playing this morning. N is over for the day. And the older boys are still sleeping! Another slow day before trekking back home tomorrow. Laundry!
 
My Favorite Thing This Week Was
I was QUITE proud of all that C accomplished at horse camp this week! I had wondered if she was learning to ride because it sounded like she was doing A LOT of mucking out of stalls, but she did AWESOME!
 
Questions/Thoughts I Have
When we return, I NEED to finally order the rest of our curriculum for next year. I'm anxious! I want BOX DAY too! LOL

A Photo, Video, Link, or Quote To Share
Moose Point State Park
I'm linking up to Forever, For Always, No Matter What, The Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers, Science Sunday, Fun Tuesday Hop, No Ordinary Blog Hop, and Hip Homeschool Hop. Head over to read more homeschool happenings!

Friday, April 15, 2011

GEARing Up For Another Season of Strolling

As Spring arrives in Maine, the kids and I are getting more and more excited about another season of hiking. Well, I would actually describe our hiking as more leisurely strolls in the woods, up-and-down small mountains and along water sources, observing plants, listening to birds, climbing rocks (when available), splashing in streams, and taking frequent breaks. There's no HURRY in our steps! And we SO enjoy it!
J, C and S
Do you hike with your kids? How do you get ready for a meandering stroll through the woods for a day?

We started preparing this month by repacking our backpacks. Each of the kids and I have our own backpacks. I found carrying EVERYTHING was just too much for my poor back! And this way each of us has our own supplies for just in case (which I hope never happens) and there's no squabbling over using binoculars or who has the snacks. We include the following in each of our packs:
  • small first aid kit
  • rain poncho (from Dollar Store) 
  • sun screen and bug spray (in trial sizes)
  • an emergency whistle
  • a hat and sunglasses
  • baby wipes(in trial sizes)
  • a magnifying glass and/or inexpensive binoculars (for seeing nature up close)
  • a fleece jacket or hooded sweatshirt
  • an extra pair of socks (in case of wet feet)
  • a water bottle and a small canvas lunch bag
  • a trail map of the area and a compass 
With our backpacks (mostly) repacked, we headed out the the state park with the dog this morning and hiked along the trail along the lake. The dog, R, had a blast! (And the no-pull halter really works! We'll be able to bring her on more walks!) She went swimming! Brrr! S tried out his metal detector (from Christmas), but found no "treasure", and all the kids got a chance to play on the playground.
Beach and Lake
J, C, R (Dog) and C
S and C Playing in the Sand Lake-side
R Fetching a Stick Thrown Into the Lake
The "Crooked Tree"
So Much for the Rubber Boots Keeping S Dry
Old Pine Tree
Exploring Exposed Tree Roots
C Standing on a Cut Log in the Lake
Mushrooms
Metal Detecting
The Lake
 I found some informational and fun websites about family hiking. Check out these sites for tips - Family Hiking Tips and Safety and Hiking as a Family - and this site to find a trail or two to explore: Local Hikes. Happy trails!