The Homeschool Village is Talkin’ Field Trips

The Homeschool Village Panel is sharing their favorite field trips this week so if you love all things field trips, why not hop over and see where everyone’s been? 

What has been your single- most- all- time –favorite- field trip?

Building New Memories

When I read about the Christmas Ornament Show & Tell that Jolanthe is hosting at No Ordinary Moments, I just knew that I wanted to participate! How fun is that? To share the ornaments that are near and dear to our hearts. And then I remembered. I don’t have any Christmas ornaments anymore.

Every since the kids were old enough to help us decorate the tree, we’ve had a tradition in our home that I loved. We’d gather all our Christmas ornaments around our artificial tree and I would tell my children the story of each ornament, they were all so special. Some of the ornaments had been lovingly made from my great-grandma’s arthritic hands. Beautiful beaded creations. Angels, Christmas Bells and Icicles. My kids loved the way the beads shimmered when placed in front of one of the tree lights.

When I was a teenager, I began collecting ornaments. Each year after Christmas I would visit expensive department stores and I would purchase a couple special pieces. Most of these were beautiful cloth ornaments in rich burgundy and mauve colors. Victorian style ornaments with lace and ribbons. I loved pulling them out of their individual boxes and watching my children’s eyes glow.

And yet, some of my most treasured ornaments were simple, dough ornaments formed with my own children’s then tiny hands. They carefully decorated and painted them ever so carefully as I shared the story of Christ’s birth and the true meaning of Christmas.

As I write this post I can’t help become a little bit sentimental and even teary eyed as I think of those precious memories. Several years ago, our area experienced terrible flooding. One morning I awoke to a gushing in our basement, water was pouring in. Though we were able to save a few items, almost all our ornaments were  lost.  We lost some of our possessions, other’s lost their homes.

I’ve thought about beginning another collection, a new collection but it’s just not the same. We have a few pieces waiting for us in storage and I’m sure I’ll treasure them all the more when I see them again.

Last year we were in the camper so we bought a tiny tree that was already decorated. Not very exciting but it served the purpose. This year, the first year back in a house, the kids really wanted a tree. Mentally I began adding up the cost of a tree and decorations….we didn’t have anything.

So, I did what I always do. I visited the local thrift store and I found EVERYTHING that I needed. Wow. The Lord really takes care of us, doesn’t he? Not only did I get a beautiful tree with lights, I also got all of our ornaments (in just the exact colors we wanted), a star for the top of the tree and lights for outside. When we lived in Ohio as long as I could remember I wanted to decorate each of the front windows with those fake candle lights and a wreath. It seemed as though I just never had the extra money at Christmas, but this year I found EVERYTHING that I wanted- including brand new Christmas cards and a Santa hat and beard for our dog for under $60.  The only thing I haven’t found is a tree skirt but I’ve been so blessed with everything else I found that it doesn’t bother me one bit. 

 Our stash

 Decorating our tree 

Everyday I wake up and the first thing I do is turn on the lights of the tree. My tree may not be filled with the same one-of-a-kind ornaments that I once had, but when I look at the tree now it’s not with sadness over what’s missing, or lost, I look at the tree and I’m amazed at the Lord’s provision and blessings.

This year we have the opportunity to build new memories, in a new home …TOGETHER. 

What more could I ask for?

Top Ten Alabama Field Trips of 2010

It’s hard to believe that it’s almost the end of the year. Wow, has 2010 really flown by! The kids and I have been discussing some of our field trips and compiled a list of the best of the best here in Alabama. So, if you’re planning a family trip or need a few field trip ideas, here are a few, well- ten,  to get you started.    

10. Harrison Brothers Hardware Store, Huntsville

Known as the oldest continuously operating hardware store in the state of Alabama, this blast from the past is located directly across the road from the Madison County Courthouse. You can browse the store for unique trinkets or retro candies or begin a tour of the building at the 103 year old cash register that continues to ring up purchases today.  FREE

9.  Weeden House, Huntsville

This little gem is nestled in the historic Twickenham District of Huntsville, an easy stroll from Harrison Brothers Hardware Store. Once home to esteemed artist Miss Howard Weeden, the Weeden House is the oldest home in the state that is still open for tours.  Call ahead to confirm hours for admission so you won’t be disappointed.  ADMISSION

8.  Tiffin Motor Home Factory, Red Bay

As former full-time RVer’s this incredible factory tour was a must for my family! Highly recommended for those planning to purchase or considering one of the Tiffin Motor Home beauties whose line includes the Allegro and Phaeton series.  FREE

7.  Bill’s Honey Farm, Meridianville

You’re welcome to stop in and visit this beekeeper but if you want to know what all the buzz is about, you’ll have to arrange for a field trip ahead of time. Great place to buy honey, bees wax candles and our favorite, the sweet honey candy. ADMISSION

6.  Ave Maria Grotto, Cullman

 

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Ave Maria Grotto is truly a prime example of what it means to turn trash into treasure.  Each of the handcrafted miniatures was fashioned by Brother Joseph Zoettl, essentially from trash and discarded building supplies.  From the tiny replica of the city of Jerusalem to the whimsical dragon you’ll discover lurking beneath Hansel and Gretel’s Temple of the Fairies, today you’ll find over 125 masterpieces, including the focal point of the park, a grotto which contains the Virgin Mary and other statues. Before leaving the property of St. Bernard Monastery,you may consider a peaceful stroll through the cemetery and a quick peek inside the church. ADMISSION 

5.  Russell Cave National Monument, Bridgeport

Beautiful and serene, you’ll love the visiting Russell Cave National Monument any season of the year. Don’t leave home without your camera, you’ll be disappointed if you miss your chance at snapping a picture of the mouth of the cave, shrouded in mist. The cave entrance looks as though it could have been the setting for the Lord of the Rings movie.  The visitor’s center has a small museum and movie available for viewing but the real gem of this attraction is the nature trail that winds through the hillside behind the cave, but be prepared. The hike may be short, but it is steep. FREE, DONATIONS WELCOME   

4.  North Alabama Veteran’s Museum & Archives, Athens

 

Housed within the walls of a 100 year old freight depot, you’ll find artifacts from the Revolutionary War to the present day. Everywhere you turn you’ll discover uniforms, guns, medals, and photographs offering a hint of the cost of our freedom.  Visit often if you can, new objects are frequently added to the displays. Guided tours by Veteran’s are available. FREE, DONATIONS WELCOME

3.  Jerry Brown’s Pottery Studio, Hamilton

A nationally known folk potter, you’ll find a fine example of his ugly pot on display at the Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC.  Jerry Brown is a 9th generation potter that uses material that is found locally and processed by his mule, Blue, to create his sturdy stoneware cookware, jugs and ugly pots. If you’re unable to stop by during the Jerry Brown Festival in early March and you  find yourself along I-78 near Hamilton don’t pass by without browsing in his shop. FREE

2.  Athens Storytelling Festival, Athens

This is one show that will keep you perched on the edge of your seat, as the master story tellers share tales that are guaranteed to make you express emotion, whether that would be laughter or tears. This annual show is held each year on the square in historic downtown Athens. You won’t want to miss it!  ADMISSION 

1.  The Global Village at SIFAT , Lineville

From homes constructed of bamboo, to rock houses accessible from rope bridges, you’ll be amazed at the thought and planning that has gone into recreating this global village. Today you can arrange a tour and learn how SIFAT, Servants in Faith and Technology,  is partnering with leaders in Bolivia, Haiti, the Philippines, Nigeria, and many other countries to teach the residents how to improve their living conditions by using simple, proven technologies.  If you’ve never given a thought to the basic luxuries that we have in here in the US, prepare to be humbled.  ADMISSION

This post is linked to Top Ten Tuesday. 

Out of the Mouths of Teenagers

The TOS Crew has a weekly blog cruise that I rarely join. It’s not that I don’t want to, I just don’t often take the time to write up the weekly post. I’m so bad about that. Anyway, this week I was glancing through my reader and noticed that the hop was for your children to answer three questions. Hmmm….as I read, I wondered what my children would have to say. So I decided to ask them. If I was going to take the time to ask their thoughts, I may as well share there answers. Of course I was expecting a profound revelation from my teenagers. I just knew they would say something brilliant. Yeah. Right.

Which leads me to share our lunch conversation. I know you’re dying to read about the interview but you’ll enjoy this. Trust me. First, we don’t normally have lunch as a family, I’m the kind of wonderful mother that forces her children to fend for themselves for lunch. Today was different, my husband was working near home and since it’s cold here, he wanted to come home for lunch to warm up with Josh, who is helping his dad out today.

We are having a pleasant if not goofy conversation when my daughter says, “Don’t you ever want to know what all those bad words we’re not allowed to say mean?” We just kind of stared at her not really knowing where she was going with this. Proudly she continues…. “Well, I looked them up”. Aren’t teenagers a blast?    

Anyways, without further ado…here are the three questions I asked and the thought provoking responses that I received. It was Joshua’s turn to work so he was off the hook. I could ask him later, but he doesn’t enjoy being interviewed. Remember when we lived in the motor home and I interviewed Nickolaus and Chelsea about their life on the road? They loved it, Josh never would consent. I may have even offered to pay him. But I’ll never tell.

Why does our family homeschool?

Chelsea- “That is something you have to answer.” Me- No, they want to know your thoughts. “Because it’s better than public school? Because that’s what you felt the Lord wanted us to do. Personally, I think homeschooling has to be better since we take more field trips.”

Nickolaus- “We’ve homeschooled since the beginning because my mother went to public school and didn’t think it was the best choice for our family.”

What is your favorite part about homeschooling?

Chelsea- “Ummm…more field trips.” (Duh…didn’t she just answer that in the first question? How dare I ask again!)

Nickolaus- “Spending more time with my family.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Chelsea- “Photographer.” Me- do you want to expound on that? Chelsea- “Professional photographer?” Giggle. 

Chelsea loves to take pictures. You don’t normally see her without her camera. I think she’s pretty good too, but then she is my daughter. I could be biased. I don’t think so though. You can see some of her pictures here. 

Nickolaus- “A pilot.” 

In October he flew for the first time with the Young Eagles program and now he’s participating in an online pilot school. You can read more about that here.

Well, there you have it, the answers to these three important questions in the universe out of the mouths of teenagers.

You can stop by the here to see how other crew members answered this, or rather, how their children answered the questions.

Just for fun, you should ask your kids the same questions. Do you know what they would say?

Call Me Crazy…

I know sometimes the words I write can be misconstrued. It’s impossible to read the “tone” of written words or see the tears or smile behind them. Still, it never ceases to amaze me when someone takes the time to leave a hateful word or two as a comment. Ever have one of those? It doesn’t bother me too much if they really just disagree with me. That’s fine. But you could be nice about it, couldn’t you? What bothers me is when people clearly don’t even take the time to read the entire post. I’m sorry. I just think that if one is going to take the time to lash out at someone, one should take the time to read what they’ve written in it’s entirety. Call me crazy…but I’m just sayin’.