Apple Orchard and Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel

Family homeschool tradition is a trip into the SC mountains to Bryson's Apple Orchard
for apple picking and enjoying all things fall-

Everyone dressed in boots and bucket in hand followed their daddy into the orchard.

This year he was given an apple picker and the big kids were thrilled 

especially when dad picked the most beautiful apple of all WAY up high!

There were lots of opportunities for photos and Holly was thrilled with her first experience with all this trampling around.

It was also her first time walking in boots so that was touch and go for a while.

She finally felt safe and let go of my hand to follow the gang! 

Just look at that little face!

Everyone picked through their buckets and only kept the best.

Then down to the apple stand to pay for our apples, buy some fried apple pies, and apple butter. YUM!

After a stop for lunch, we rode a curvy mountain road to Stumphouse Mountain for a cave tunnel adventure-

Stumphouse tunnel has a rich history and we were excited to learn something new!

We headed toward the cave/tunnel and was amazed with the cool breeze flowing out of it because of an airshaft deep inside causing the draft.

Go HERE http://www.oconeecountry.com/stumphouse.html

to read all about this beautiful place and plan to visit it as well!

It was quite scary entering the cave but as our eyes adjusted 

and we turned on our phone flashlights, it wasn't too bad {mainly because daddy was with us!!!}.

EK was thrilled to know it was a bat santuary as well... me not so much!

It was meant to be a railroad tunnel but money ran out and the project was abandoned.

The kids loved playing on the flatcar and walking to a beautiful waterfall!

Best part of the whole thing... FREE!

The perfect field trip day for this crowd!!

Apple Orchards and Caves!

Fun Friday {Love Letters & Field Trip}

Sometimes simple things make the best learning!

Yesterday SJ received the sweetest letter from her friend Madelyn~

 It made such a great impression on everyone, I decided to make it a learning opportunity.

I found a book in our personal library {Penguin Post} as a springboard and the day just flowed from there.

These six sweets were very excited Art was up first.

We decided to make cards for some of the people we love using a really cool art medium called crayon resist~

 Everyone wrote words on the front of their card with a white crayon.

Then we painted over it and the crayon resisted the paint showing through!

After some drying time, we added words inside and addressed our envelopes~

 We watched a video of a field trip to the Post Office, counted out $.50 for a stamp, 

loaded up, and headed to our own Post Office~

 Ms. Dawn was SO nice to let each child choose/pay for their own stamp

 and get a penny back in change

Everyone LOVED dropping their letter in the correct slot!

 AND who should walk in while we were there?

Aunt Susan ~

 and she showed us how she unlocks her PO Box with a key~

We walked all the way around the PO and ran into our very own DAD!!!

Then back home to get our own mail in our mailbox!

This afternoon we grabbed our journals to stick our stickers in,

tape our pennies down, write about their fav part of the day, 

and glue in a photo of their choice.

LOTS of REAL life learning went on today!

A very Fun Friday with Love Letters & the PO!!!

Farm Field Trip~

Story @ Growing Whole Hearts~

Fun Friday~ Dairy Farm Field Trip

Our BFIAR book this week was Angus Lost.

In the story, the little dog gets lost and ends up following a milk cart back home~

Of course we spent a lot of time this week discussing dairy farms and cows as well as watching videos and researching in books.

Today we decided on a field trip day since my family {dad and brother} own and operate a dairy farm~

We were hoping to see the milk truck picking up milk but it only comes every other day.

No worries... we had plenty to experience and enjoy like...

The baby calves barn~

It just so happens a new calf had just been pulled {born} a few minutes before we arrived so we went right over to see it~

We talked about how the milk goes from cow into the big cooling tank and waits for the truck to pick it up.

Of course we can NEVER come to the barn without a visit to Memommy's house~

While there EK was exploring around a huge tree stump and found what I think are probably black snake eggs.

She thought it was awesome... I thought ewwwww!

Next we were off to the grocery store to find at least 10 items made from milk and make a list~

 We went down every single aisle as EK recorded and SJ spelled items for her.

It was fun to pick out dairy foods we could enjoy for lunch...

But not before we went BACK to the barn to see if the calf had gotten up yet.

Yes, it had moved and was nestled in beside its new mom.

 

We headed home for our 'dairy lunch' {no nutrition haters please} and listened to two wonderful books Memommy just happen to have and shared with us while we ate.

A great Fun Friday!

They all want to go back in the morning to see the milk truck... 

maybe daddy will take them. :)

Sandy Creek Nature Center Field Trip~

Today we went with Amy, Max, and Addie to the Sandy Creek Nature Center for a field trip~

 It was the perfect outing for spring and all the things we have been studying in school~

 It was not crowded at all and there were lots of hands on activities to do. All the cousins loved being together as well as me/Amy/Amelia~

 We spent about an hour and a half inside then ventured out on a boardwalk trail through the woods. We were able to find a huge patch of poison ivy and they were amazed!!! It was a really beautiful and warm day making us all very hungry so we enjoyed a yummy lunch together too.

We are already looking forward to our next outing with the Martins!!!

Sandy Creek Nature Center~

Today we went with Amy, Max, and Addie to the Sandy Creek Nature Center for a field trip~

 It was the perfect outing for spring and all the things we have been studying in school~

 It was not crowded at all and there were lots of hands on activities to do. All the cousins loved being together as well as me/Amy/Amelia~

 We spent about an hour and a half inside then ventured out on a boardwalk trail through the woods. We were able to find a huge patch of poison ivy and they were amazed!!! It was a really beautiful and warm day making us all very hungry so we enjoyed a yummy lunch together too.

We are already looking forward to our next outing with the Martins!!!

Farm Field Trip~ {Fun Friday}

Today a few classes from North Hart were visiting my dad/brother's dairy farm so we decided to go too.

It was a really awesome way to get the feel of how it must have been for Mary and Joseph in the stable...

EK: cold, WP: stinky, SJ: dirty but perfect for God's plan to unfold.

 

   Jason, Daddy, and their crew really had everything looking great for the big visit.

We wrote thank you notes when we got home.

EK loved the baby calves.

SJ loved the chocolate milk.

WP loved the tractors.

 Thank you Jason, Mr. Ed, Ms. Paula, Carlos, and Manuel.

We enjoyed our Farm Field Trip!!!   

Zoo Day~

Our school system is on Fall break this week but we are continuing to school since we have our China travel coming up.

Today we went with our sweet friends: Ms. Hope, Melissa, Todd, Jennifer, and all the kids to the Zoo for a field trip~ SO fun!

 I promise it went from warm yesterday to FREEZING today (51, cloudy, and breezy:)... thank goodness I had changed out all the clothes and found our coats. :)

Lyra Kate (in pink) and her family are waiting for their dossier to make it to China so they can be matched with her little sister!!!

 It was a great day of chasing kids, listening to sweet voices, and new friendships blooming.

Funny convo this morning: I was talking to them about how important it would be to stay close and before I could finish, EK said, "Mom, I know what we should do if we get lost... tell the Zookeeper!" Ha

A GREAT Zoo Day!!!

Zoo Day~

Our school system is on Fall break this week but we are continuing to school since we have our China travel coming up.

Today we went with our sweet friends: Ms. Hope, Melissa, Todd, Jennifer, and all the kids to the Zoo for a field trip~ SO fun!

 I promise it went from warm yesterday to FREEZING today (51, cloudy, and breezy:)... thank goodness I had changed out all the clothes and found our coats. :)

Lyra Kate (in pink) and her family are waiting for their dossier to make it to China so they can be matched with her little sister!!!

 It was a great day of chasing kids, listening to sweet voices, and new friendships blooming.

Funny convo this morning: I was talking to them about how important it would be to stay close and before I could finish, EK said, "Mom, I know what we should do if we get lost... tell the Zookeeper!" Ha

A GREAT Zoo Day!!!

Fun Friday Field Trip~

I had to be in Gwinnett today so I declared it... Field Trip day.

We have been learning about animal classification and tallying so we combined the two and headed to the pet store.

Before hand, we stopped by the library.

I am by nature pulled to fiction and have never been a big non-fiction fan...

until EK came along and that. is. all. she. wants. to. read!

Hahaha on me... we left the library with a WHOLE cart of non-fiction. She has won SJ and WP over to her way of thinking~

 We had our list of animal groups when we went in and enjoyed reading labels, tallying our animals groups, and choosing a yummy treat for Fisher~

I am NOT even kidding when I say SJ held her nose the WHOLE way through the store.

EK's favorite animal was the ferret and says she is getting one for her birthday... not!

It was a very fun morning and only made sweeter meeting Pam for lunch~ LOVE you!!!

We missed our school room today but enjoyed an outing just the same!

Field Trip~

I had to be in Gwinnett today so I declared it... Field Trip day.

We have been learning about animal classification and tallying so we combined the two and headed to the pet store.

Before hand, we stopped by the library.

I am by nature pulled to fiction and have never been a big non-fiction fan...

until EK came along and that. is. all. she. wants. to. read!

Hahaha on me... we left the library with a WHOLE cart of non-fiction. She has won SJ and WP over to her way of thinking~

 We had our list of animal groups when we went in and enjoyed reading labels, tallying our animals groups, and choosing a yummy treat for Fisher~

I am NOT even kidding when I say SJ held her nose the WHOLE way through the store.

EK's favorite animal was the ferret and says she is getting one for her birthday... not!

It was a very fun morning and only made sweeter meeting Pam for lunch~ LOVE you!!!

We missed our school room today but enjoyed an outing just the same!