Kids in the Kitchen - eating on the road - again

I join forces with my good friend Carrie @YoungLivingOilLady each

week to bring you this family friendly recipe link up. It is our desire to

encourage families to cook and eat together. Meals cooked at home

are healthier, and time spent together in the kitchen is good for families!

We use Cooking 101 as part of our family homeschool. I’m teaching

the boys to put together healthy family meals, life skills, and budgeting,

as well as teaching them tips for cooking in the kitchen. We encourage

real food vs. processed food. Let’s bring the family, back to the table!

This week: 

We have been enjoying an incredible time with friends at the Teach Them Diligently Conference. I've been inspired all over again by wonderful fellowship with other homeschool moms, incredible speakers, and the glorious scenery. 

We have explored Tennessee. We've been "wowed" by the opulence of the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and have now headed off to Kentucky to walk in the footsteps of Daniel Boone and to enjoy a whitewater rafting adventure. Tomorrow, we'll be "wowed" by God's creation and the power of flowing water! 

Feeding three boys on the road can indeed be a challenge. They would eat Pizza every night - of course. I do allow them to have a burger or pizza, but I also try to make sure they get plenty of fruit and veggies along the way. 

I buy chicken, and beef strips for the cooler and mini- fridges in the room. We roll the strips in tortilla's with cheese & heat in the microwave. I buy natural beef hot dogs to keep handy for a quick meal. 

I always carry baby carrots. They travel well in a cooler (be sure to keep your cooler well drained).  Fresh bananas, apples, oranges, and grapes are a great way to keep healthy while traveling. Another favorite trick; Holy Guacamole! The vacuum sealed packages travel really well and add great flavor, healthy fat, and another fruit/veggie serving to your daily diet.

I'd love to hear your tips for feeding the family on the road!

For you: 

I'm linking with these fine blogs: Titus 2 Tues The Better Mom   Try New Recipe   Happy LiL Hearts  

Hip Homeschool Hop  Creative Mondays, Look what we did, Tasty Tuesday, TemptmyTummyTuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday, Raising Mighty Arrows, AddictedtoRecipes, HomemakingWednesdays, LivingWellWednesday, NOBH,, Wisdom Wednesday , Favorite Things, Modest Mom, FullPlateThursday,  MeltinyourMouthMonday, ShowOffFriday Tuesday'sTable, LookWhatWeDid , Titus 2sday,  Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, CraftySpices, CreatewithJoy, Thursday'sTreasures, TastyThursdays Wonderful Food Wednesday

Join us by linking up your favorite family recipes or tips for cooking with kids! Grab a button from below, on my side bar, or use a text link back to Adventurez. Please visit another participant or more to help encourage each other. I’ll be visiting and Pinning away on our Kids in the Kitchen Pinterest board here. It’s a wonderful resource for finding yummy recipes the whole family will love. Enjoy your time in the kitchen this week!

Field tripping our way to Teach Them Diligently - you can too!

It's that time again! We are getting geared up to hit the road for Teach Them Diligently in Nashville!
I just wrote about why TTD Convention is a frugal choice for our family (and why I think everyone should check it out). I mentioned that we plan family adventures around these conventions and things.
Road trips are a wonderful opportunity to get out and explore new areas, visit museums, and learn new things.

We join a local science museum associated with the ASTC Passport Program (Association of Science and Technology Centers) which gives us access to hundreds of museums across the country - for free!

Check out the full list of participating museums and science centers here to plan your own museum stops along the way. We will also be camping and exploring all we can from Southwest FL to Nashville.

We are heading from waaaaaaayyyyy down south. If you'll be headed this way

 (like maybe for TTD Marketplace in Ft Myers) You may want to check out the links under the map for a few exciting family field trip ideas. 

Ft. Myers - Edison House, Sanibel Island and Captiva, Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve

Boca Grande- beaches, fishing with Captain Mark Becton  

Just a few local parks with Hiking, fishing, kayaking: 

• 1 - Ainger Creek Park
• 2 - Amberjack Environmental Park
• 3 - Anger Fishing Pier
• 4 - Bay Heights Park
• 5- Boca Grande Fishing Pier Park
• 6 - Cape Haze Pioneer Trail
• 7 - Cedar Point Environmental Park
• 8 - Myakka Park
• 9 - Placida Park
• 10 - The Learning Garden
• 
  

North Florida: Once we get out of our general area and head into North Florida, our adventure begins:  

On our list: 

 Paynes Prairie Preserve to see the bison and wild horses! 

Oleno State Park - for a picnic and a beautiful walk by the river - small history museum here too with the 

old grist mill: 

We can use our Science Center membership at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainsville

We also love Ichetucknee Springs in that area and Stephen Foster

In the Panhandle: 

 

Lake Jackson Mounds in Tallahassee

FL Caverns is amazing (we just did that one on the way back from Real Refreshment w Apologia) 

We will most likely just keep working our way up I75 into Georgia and may do the Panhandle on return! 

Kathy Balman @ Kathy's Cluttered Mind - has a wonderful list of GA field trips here

Here is a link to the GA state Parks page

A few of our favorite stops in Georgia: 

Reed Bingham SP - is not too far off the beaten path and is a great place for a picnic and to stretch your legs (they have mini golf!) 

Ocmulgee National Monument  and more on Ocmulgee history here (Macon, GA) 

High Falls State Park  - right off the highway with trails and waterfalls 

On our list: Shoot the Hootch! 

There are quite a few places to use your ASTC Passport - in and around Atlanta - and on up into Tennessee go here for list. We are heading out early so we can meet up with Marcy @ Ben and Me for a field trip to the science center in Nashville. 

Chattanooga is a fun place to visit. We enjoy Rock City (cave tours) and  the Battle Grounds 

(the battle grounds on top of Lookout Mountain are a MUST DO for us) My grandfather was born in Chicamauga and it holds a lot of history for our family. Read the Battle history here.

 We will also visit the Parthenon in Nashville.

AND the Nature Centers! (there are 4 big ones)  

We've got our field guides, we've got our back packs and our nature journals - and we'll be headed off! 

I hope you can join us at TTD in Nashville -  there are other options available here: 

Here's a great list of some others who will be field tripping their way to TTD! 

Free #Letter of the week studies - all have bible and handwriting, most have spelling, geography, science and  history as well - Freebie link at bottom of each post - You will find recipies and fun ideas for study in the posts themselves: 

Aa is for . . . All we like sheep

Bb is for . . . Behold the Lamb 

Cc is for . . . Create in me 

Dd is for . . . Do unto others 

Ee if for . . . Even a child 

Ff is for . . . Follow me 

Frugal Family - Frugal in Florida

In an effort to save money this year,  I'm joining my friends Marcy +Ben and Me  as well as Sam +Sam's Noggin  to bring you this weekly  link up full of tips for becoming a more Frugal Family. We will be sharing ideas to help you save money on groceries and meals, homeschool, crafts, and plenty of frugal DIY posts. 

We've made many sacrifices so that I can stay at home to teach the boys, and I've become pretty frugal in order to help make that possible and to keep it that way. It's become a challenge I truly enjoy, and one I enjoy sharing with you!

Fun in the Sunshine State doesn't have to break the bank. We are sharing our Spring Break AdventureZ this week to give you a look at how we roll - frugal style!

We started our fun at the Disney Fort Wilderness campground with a $149 tent I bought on clearance at Walmart for $75 (it's the one with the red rain flap in the background of the pic below). We can easily fit 2 queen size mattresses and a twin with room for a dinner/game table. It's like a condo tent. You can rent a campsite there for just $54 per night and be treated to some genuine Disney fun.

We were invited to be part of a group camp with my nephew's cub scout troop. We used the Disney free transportation system (buses, boats, monorails) throughout their resorts to visit the pools, the shows, and movie night on the big outdoor screen. Even getting from place to place was a fun adventure with a Disney atmosphere.

Cost: $125 for 2 nights ($50 for a tank of gas)

I packed a cooler of food for the trip to save a bunch more as well. I cooked up some steak (bought on sale of course - $6.56) I seasoned it with our taco seasoning and brought grated cheese and tortilla's to roll 'em up with. We eat plenty of fresh fruit and raw carrots while on the road too. See here for more info. We ate chicken from Publix, beans and hot dogs and enjoyed smores with the group too! All in all, I didn't spend much more on food than we normally do each week.

Save on food while traveling by cooking ahead, by planning ahead and instead of running to a restaurant or fast food joint - step into the grocery store! There are many places to grab a picnic table to sit and enjoy a healthier meal together while on the road.

Next on the list: LegoLand Florida - $130 including LegoLand, hotel, breakfast, and lunch- 5 people

When we left Disney, we headed a short piece down the road toward LegoLand Florida. I had booked a hotel room using my Choice Privileges Membership. It's simple to find hotels for any taste with their system. I was looking for cheap but safe. I found a Quality Inn with entry from the lobby only (no outside doors to the rooms) for only $60 including tax and breakfast. It was older, but it was clean and affordable. It included a microwave which we used to cook beans and hot dogs and a fridge where we stored our milk, carrots, and cheese. 

The kids loved it and we brought our snacks too. We splurged on lunch with a bucket of chicken, fries and drinks for $29.99 - it fed 5 of us and we got free refills on the 4 drinks. I shared one with my little guy and no one seemed to mind. The GoGo Squeeze and raisin snacks were easy to carry in the backpack too!

Choosing the right day to go to LegoLand was the key. It was homeschool day, so we got in for a great deal. Only $8 per student (normally $69) $25 for parents (normally $79) - for every 5 students you get a free "teacher" ticket. LegoLand has several homeschool days planned each year, see dates here. You must provide homeschool ID and make advanced reservations to take advantage of those special rates. We had extra homeschool friends so I got in free.

. . . and then we were off to Tampa Bay. Again I used my Choice Rewards Membership and booked a safe, cheap, clean hotel for only $50 (no fridge and microwave and no breakfast) I bought dinner at Publix and breakfast as well - we did have the cooler. We used our blow up twin mattress for an extra bed in the hotel rooms - because we were traveling with a friend.

The next day we used our membership to MOSI Science Center to explore the new NASA exhibit and learn all about life on the International Space Station. I bought the membership using my free homeschool ID card from Homeschool Buyers Co-op here. (also used at LegoLand for hs ID)
The membership to MOSI usually costs $99 for the family, but we paid just $50 as a homeschool family. We also get free parking which saves an additional $4 on every visit.

*As part of the ASTC (Association of Science and Technology Centers) the MOSI pass gives us access to some 300 + museums around the world - get more info here. We plan entire getaways around the ASTC museums.

We spent the rest of the day at the Florida Aquarium where we also have a family membership. It includes other museums and aquariums in the SHARE program here for Florida and here for the AZA reciprocal program. We have visited the FL Aquarium at least 5 times this year saving plenty of money since adult tickets are $21.95 and children are $16.95 each visit. It would cost our family $85 per visit + parking, so our $144 membership was well worth it. We've also used it to visit other reciprocal museums during the free months.
Call the membership line and give my name "Kelli Becton" to receive 15% off your membership.

Total cost: $56 for the room and ice cream - memberships provided free entry and parking- $50 gas

The kids were on a photography assignment during the aquarium visit. Some of their pictures are being shown above. We are studying Swimming Creatures with Apologia Science so this trip fit right in with our homeschool studies.

Our big splurge at the aquarium was on ice cream for a snack! That, with a tank of gas for the 1 1/2 hour trip home was the biggest expense of the day. All in all - it was a whole lot of adventure for a little bit of green.

Total big adventure: $461 includes 5 people for 5 days - camping at Disney, hotel stay with breakfast, LegoLand FL with lunch, hotel stay, science museum, and aquarium - gas to Orlando, Tampa and back home.

Using discount memberships can be well worth the effort if you make the most of it and plan wisely!

Link up your own tips for saving money on our Frugal Family link up for January

Please grab the button to use or link via text - Visit others to encourage each other and

share great information! The group Pinterest board is here - I'm pinning away!

<center> <a href="http://www.Adventurezinchildrearing.com/"><img border="0" </span><span style="font-size: 12px; font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">src="http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l525/adventurezinchildrearing/frugalfamily150_zps92102054.jpg"/></a></center>  

Scenes from a weekend - a whirlwind of an adventure

We began our long weekend adventure with a trip up to Disney World - Fort Wilderness Campground is a wonderful place for families to relax and enjoy nature together - and have a bit of Disney fun too! 

We were fortunate enough to be included in a group trip with my sweet nephew and his scout group, so we got to catch up with family as well as meet their friends. 

We enjoyed swimming and exploring the Disney resort grounds as well as sitting around the camp fire at night. You can't go wrong with smores. Our homeschool friend Rowyn joined us for the Spring Break adventure. Next stop - LegoLand!

Little geography lesson . . . . . Legoland FL is awesome! 

Homeschool day discounts are even better - check it out here. 

Then we stormed Tampa Bay for a little extra science fun on Tues at MOSI (science center)
where we explored the new NASA exhibit - the kids checked out what life is like on the International space station and even completed tasks just like an astronaut.

We also headed to spend a few hours at the Florida Aquarium (we love) 

Looks like we must have spent a fortune huh? Well, don't you know me at all? That's just not the way we roll. Find out exactly what I spent on our extra long (5 day) Spring Break weekend of fun on Thursday when I post for Frugal Family. Come and link up your own frugal ideas for travel, homeschool, raising kids, food and anything the family can benefit from and save money!

Enjoy your week - I'm resting up now in between AdventureZ!

What not to bring to the Real Refreshment Retreat with Apologia

Soon I'll be packing up and heading off to another Real Refreshment Retreat!  I'd LOVE for you to join me for this wonderful time of fellowship and rejuvenation for women from all around the country. Just in case you are wondering - I've made up a list for you of some things I found were NOT needed at the retreat:

1. Fire wood - The Westin Hotel in both Baltimore and in Atlanta both come with their own heating and air system. The rooms even have a mini- fridge available and microwaves in the refreshment center,  so there is no need to build a fire.

2. Blow up mattress- Check out the super comfy beds from the Westin here (REFRESHING) You'll have a hard time pulling yourself up out of these amazing beds - but the encouragement from friends and the wonderful speakers during the event will get you up and at 'em for sure.

3. A rotating fan - see #1

4. Kayaks - It's hard to leave home without them, but they will not be needed for this adventure.

5. A huge cooler full of food - I may or may not part with mine for this trip (we do like to haul our own food) but the yummy food at the Westin is a special treat and lunch on Saturday is included with your ticket.

6. Your men folk - this retreat is for the ladies, but the Bell hops come in handy for help with your luggage.

7. Coffee pot - they have them RIGHT in your 4-diamond room and there is also a STARBUCKS right there inside the hotel.

8. Fold out chairs - each room comes with several of their own and even a work desk including a space for your laptop (there is a fee for the wireless high speed internet service).

9. Life vests, fishing poles, helmets, water shoes, dry bag, and wet suite - see #4.

10. Smith & Wesson - there is a safe in the room where you can lock up your valuables and the good folks at the Westin hotel take great care of you so there is no need for packing heat. I did mention it is a luxury 4 diamond hotel - right? Swanky! 

RRR~ Sponsored by Teach Them Diligently - We'll be packing up to head to TN in May - you don't want to miss this fantastic homeschool convention - for the whole family
 - Family tickets just $45 until March 15 - Register by clicking the Featured Speaker box below:



linking with Apologia blog link 

Our Homeschool Week - Adventures on the Road

In my life this week…

What a week it's been! We traveled to Orlando for the FPEA homeschool convention - where I was 

honored to work for Apologia  - There were so many wonderful quotes I gathered from the workshops

by the ladies of Apologia - but one of my favorite is Rachael Carman who said with regards to running our homes and homeschools in a way that honors God "Keep your eyes on Jesus - It's all about Him!" and that is the best advice anyone can give any of us - now isn't it? 

In our homeschool this week…

We spent time with the family in Orlando and then headed for Tampa to relax for a few days - thankfully

my husband was able to join us for a couple of days (He won't have another day off for awhile - he's in 

his busy fishing season - Tarpon fishing!) 

We took a couple of field trips - one to the FL Aquarium: (now you know what a Tarpon is) 

Tarpon swimming over top of a Green Moray Eel 

Leafy Sea Dragon - one of my favorites! 

School of minnows - my little guy LOVES Adores and is Obsessed with fish -

 So-  I couldn't peel him off the aquarium wall! He sat there through the entire "class" they gave. He and my 7 year old then proceeded to explain to the docent the difference between "zooplankton and phytoplankton"

Thank you Apologia - "Swimming Creatures"! 

We also visited MOSI - Museum of Science and Industry and toured the new "Mummies of the World" :

Ancient mummy from Egypt 

We learned a good deal about the mummification process and the cultures who practiced it. We also 

learned about tornadoes, hurricanes, electricity, pulleys and more! 

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

See above! We also got to spend Memorial Day with our favorite Veteran - my daddy! He took all three boys for the day so I could work for Apologia at the FPEA conference - He's still a brave man! 

We toured the USS American Victory - from WWII - for Memorial Day and talked with a Navy Vet who was very helpful - He was happy to hear we homeschool and asked us to be sure and study the Constitution 

He was thrilled to hear that "Ya know what? We do!" Thanks to Rebecca of  MomsMustardSeeds and Founders Academy - we have great FREE lessons about the founding of our Nation and government. 

My favorite thing this week was…

That my husband was able to come up and join us in Tampa for a couple of well deserved days off! 

Let's hear it for the boys. . . 

All three boys travel well - and I was impressed (along with the docent) with all the information they have 

retained about "Swimming Creatures" from their awesome Apologia Science book and their understanding

of God's unique finger print on all of Creation. They blow me away - these little monkey's! 

3 in 30 - reaching goals just 3 at a time …

June Goals: 

1. I will loose 10 pounds - by drinking water and moving my body 30 minutes daily (walking, swimming, 

biking, yoga, or dancing with the boys) 

2. I will start my day in Scripture- I am doing the Proverbs 31 study with Amanda Pelser

3. I will finish updating my pages- I am working through the Simple blogging ebook 

Letter of the week "O" …

"O" is for Otter- One of the cute friend we made at the Aquarium

Helpful homeschooling tips, Freebies or advice to share…

I highly recommend that you join a local Science center or Aquarium! Check out the ASTC.org

"Passport Program" - Association of Science and Technology Centers - gives you FREE admission to museums around the country. *Read the fine print - there are restrictions - but we plan entire vacations around some of these visits. They are educational and fun - it's been a wonderful investment in our homeschool! 

There is a "likers only" FREEBIE on our Facebook Page! Download your Free Nature Study today

and add fun and scripture to your Summer Nature adventures! 

Linking with - Holy Spirit Led Homeschool , The Imagination Tree , Creative Family Fun , Read.Explore.Learn.  and these: