Adventurez- "Way down Yonder" . . .

Weekly Wrap Up:

We've been on the road -

This past week has been a busy one to say the least!

We headed for Atlanta for the Southeast Homeschool Convention.

We were having a good time before we even made it through the door.

We made friends with this handsome guy-

he's a Praying Mantis!

A large one!

Everybody got a chance to get aquainted. . . 

He tickles!

And then we found him a little safer home in the garden.

The few days leading up to the road trip . . .

We entertained some of our favorite people!

My childhood friend/sister "Aunt Krystal"

came for a visit with her fantastic kids

(and my goddaughter)

We had a super time teaching them to kayak and ride the waves.

It was wonderful for the mamas to watch out babies play together.

They all get along so well, and made special memories!

Then we headed to the convention- which is a post of its own-

I can't wait to share some of the fabulous information and

some freebies 'n giveaways with ya'll. . .

but, this is about the adventure-

The "Timothy Group" showed the boys how to tie some

good knots for repelling. (Right up our alley)

And then the boys hit the Rock Wall for practice!

They LOVED it (of course)

After a couple of awesome days at the convention-

it was time to explore!

Historical Roswell just outside of Atlanta was our home for the week.

There is a lot of interesting history and natural beauty to explore.

We crossed the covered bridge and visited the old mill.

We learned about its historical significance and heard stories

from the Civil War that you won't find in textbooks.

(Like, about the 400 women and children- mill workers- who were

charged with treason

for using the cotton mill to make tents for the Confederates-

they were marched off and never heard from again)

Seeing pictures of the children who worked at the old mill

made it very "real" for the kids - it was a shocking

revelation for a group who play with iPods and laptops on a regular basis

that children their own age actually WORKED at the mill!

(hello teaching opportunity)

We watched a brown water snake swallow a fish

that seemed impossibly large!

And. . .  then we practiced our rock climbing!

The kids had a memorable time with our friends- who were our

hosts in Atlanta - after they'd visited us in Florida!

(perfect)

Note to self:

save the rock climbing for the kids-

mama busted her rear end!

(btw- they were climbing ON the rocks- not Up them)

Then it was time for a local tradition:

we went to

"Shoot the Hootch"

. . . "Way down Yonder on the Chattahoochee"

It was great fun and a perfect way to cool off!

Parts of the river were calm and serene-

and others were more exciting!

Some "shoot the Hootch" in rafts or canoes-

some just go feet first!

We also collected some perfect rock samples

for our "geology collection"-

we saw geese, a heron, and turtles!

Mama got to kick back and relax!

 

We finally did have to break away to head home

after enjoying family and friends

and some awesome adventure-

but

we took the time for a detour along the Suwannee River!

The water was super low at Big Shoals State Park

(the main "white water" spot in Florida)

so, we enjoyed the scenic beauty of the woods

observed a black snake-

Little Shoals park has a long board walk and

 trail through the woods.

Our favorite part of the Suwannee "detour"

was watching this mama and her two fawns:

It was a memorable time of learning, exploration, and

Adventurez!

Playtime Link up:

              

My Joy Pockets -pulled from the week of adventure listed above:

* Making memories with special friends and family

* Sunset at the beach with loved ones

*Watching our children play and bond with my bff

(childhood friend)

* A week of family time

* The fact that our whole family will stop (despite being late to the

conference/expo we were attending) to play with a

praying mantis & get him to a safe spot

*Watching boys climb

*Seeing my oldest son play "the gentleman" for my

friends daughter- he went back to help her off slippery rocks

at the creek and "coached" her along a bit when he took the time to

notice that she was holding back

*Having a husband who will bother to attend a homeschool conference!

* Having my whole family get overly excited about a

microscope and not being able to wait to use it to learn more

about the bugs we often collect!

*Friends who open their hearts and home to our family

These things and more have filled my heart with Joy this week!