The "first day".

Well, yes...it has been awhile since I've written.  And I feel like I'm missing something.  Oh, that's right, I AM missing something.  My gallbladder.  Yep, gone.  That is what happens when you don't blog for awhile...something turns up missing.  ha!

 
So here we are, first day of homeschool.  While it is our 4th year homeschooling and I totally know the ropes, that first day always makes an entrance. Wow.  I can clearly see that no amount of prep work can prepare me for this day.  Or the girls either.  I mean, who's really ready to give up summer?  Especially if you live in Minnesota.  Not me!  It's just plain hard to sit still for any length of time that first day.  And this 'first day' was no exception.  I will admit it was a lonnnggg day.  But now it's over and we know more of what to expect from tomorrow.  So here's to tomorrow.  clink. clink.  (that's the sound of two glasses hitting together :)

This year is a little different in that I am able to teach both of the young 'uns together.  We are using My Father's World, Exploring Countries and Cultures.  Just an FYI:  I love MFW curriculum.  We have used it since day one and it just works for us.  I love how it is laid out and totally sets you up for success.  For math, we use A Beka, which is a nice, colorful spiral curriculum that is easy to use and teach.  For spelling, we are using Spelling Power for Maddie and All About Spelling for Allie.  Haven't really got my feet greatly wet yet with either one, but thinking they will be a good fit for each of them.  For Language Arts, I am really loving the Pathway Readers and workbooks.  And the girls do too!  Who wouldn't love this clean, conservative reading?

I thought this would be a good age/time to bring the girlies into the kitchen more.  One is already ready and willing to cook every meal, literally on my heels.  The other one would rather read about how to cook and forgo the work of it all.  Webster says forgo is to give up the enjoyment or advantage of; do without.  Yeah, I'm sure she wouldn't think of it as enjoyment...or even an advantage at this point.  ;)

And this is the year we start our foreign language; Spanish with Rosetta Stone.  Man am I excited about this!  I can't wait to hear the words flying back and forth between the girlies.  (hopefully they will be GOOD words :)  We added a new desk and laptops especially for this.  Yep, pretty cool stuff here! 

We are also part of a homeschool co-op, which I must confess, I don't think I could live without. I mean, it's adult conversation sprinkled with school ideas, spiritual rejuvenation, and food on the side.  Need I say more?!  We are in our 4th year and it's always a treat to meet up with returning friends you don't typically see over the summer and get to know new ones. 

And the girls joined a homeschool soccer group again this year, 3rd year running.  Literally.  Get it...soccer... running.  ;)  It is mighty fine exercise for the growing, energetic little things.  Of course there are friends who also attend, so that is a total plus.

Whew!  Is that it?  I severely doubt it, but it's where I'm gonna stop the torture.  I know!  The dedication and commitment of friends, right?!  I love you guys!!!  :)  Until next time...happy kids, camping, and beyond.

Volunteer

Volunteer:  1.  a person who offers him/herself for a service or undertaking.  2.  a person who performs a service willingly and without pay.

I was a volunteer last week.  In the cotton candy department at Vacation Bible School.  For four days.  Now this isn't something to take lightly.  I mean, it's cotton candy people!  This is serious business!  And so is volunteering.  I like #2 of the definition above:  a person who performs a service willingly and without pay.  We could also add "sacrificially" in there too.  Unless you are only thinking of yourself and all that cotton candy.  (I don't know who would do that??? ;)

I know we all can get into having too much on our plate.  I'm not saying get out there and do more.  But there is something about "performing a service willingly and without pay".  To "offer ourselves for a service or undertaking".   Think of how much would NOT get accomplished in life if it were not for volunteers.  They're everywhere!  Hospitals, libraries, nursing homes, etc., etc., etc.  You get the picture.

I see Jesus in this word "volunteer".  I know He was born to be the one to die for us, for our sins.  But couldn't He have just as well said, "Father, I'm not really feeling this whole dying for everyone's sins thing."  Couldn't He have lived for himself like so many of us do, and said, "Let them fend for themselves."  But He didn't.  He lived for the Father, followed the Father's will for His life and died, according to God's will.  He volunteered His life for us, that "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)   Seriously?!  Now that's a sacrificial volunteer.  He offered Himself "for a service or undertaking" and He did it "willingly".  I want my life to reflect a service that I do willingly and without pay.  I want my life to reflect the love of Jesus in every performance I do...willingly.

It just really hit home this past week about this word "volunteer".  Where is my attitude, am I showing the love of my Savior in all I say and do, what are my motives?  I have to keep myself in check and die to self daily.  Easy to say, hard stuff to live.  I am so thankful for the mercy extended to me over and over. (1 John 1:9)  

Until next time, happy kids, camping, and beyond.
 

Weeding...

 

I had an epiphany today as I am weeding my flower beds, rock beds, driveway, grass, (you get the picture).  I'm not usually a very happy camper when I'm weeding.  I mean, it's up and down and bend and stretch.  I know what you're thinking.  Workout program.  Yeah, well who says I need one anyway?  How about God.  Yes, God.  And it's not just any workout program.  It's one with a twist.  While I'm busy grumbling about those crazy weeds, God's talking to me ever so gently.  Now you know it's not an audible voice, but rather thoughts interfering with my grumbling.  Yes, can you believe the nerve?!  So God says, how about every time you kneel down to pick weeds, pray.  Wha...but I.. really?...okay.  I know there have been so many analogies of weeds and a person's spiritual life.  I get it.  But this was good.  Really good.
a.  it takes my focus off myself.
b.  praying for someone can only be a good thing.
c.  workout. program.

Win/Win/Win.  I have to admit, I was a little perturbed at first.  But you surely can't stay perturbed for very long when you're praying for someone.  God knows what He's doing.  It sure is amazing how the ol' attitude changes real quick-like when the focus falls from self.  

So I dedicate my workout program to God with a thankful heart.  Thank you, God, for taking the time for me; for being ever so patient and granting me mercy when I definitely don't deserve it. 

Until next time, happy kids, camping, and beyond.

South Dakota Vacation

We took a trip to South Dakota last week.  Pulling our pop-up camper the entire way. It really was a good trip.  We started our trip in Mitchell, SD.  In a hotel.  I seriously love the dear hubs for starting our vacay in a hotel.  It gave me that breath of "okay, I can do this" fresh air.  We woke to a continental breakfast and off to the Corn Palace.  We sat through the video describing the who's and the what for's.  I could have hung around that place for at least a couple hours. I mean, it was ALL about corn!  What's not to love?!

Next stop:  Badlands, SD.  We stayed at the White River KOA in the Badlands.  We were very pleased with our stay.  The grounds were well maintained, bathrooms were clean and up-to-date, and the pool area was inviting.   How can I describe the Badlands if you haven't been there?  One word:  unbelievable.  I mean, it totally looks as if man chiseled the rock formations, it is so perfect.  Seriously, only one person could own such beauty and that is God.  Pure and simple.  Talk about majesty, the Badlands sure has it going on.  It's one of those places you can just sit and take in the surroundings.  The days were super hot but it didn't feel like it because the wind was always blowing and the humidity was low.  While there, we had the opportunity to see a wild coyote, bullsnake, prairie dogs, big-horned sheep and a rattlesnake along the road. 

the girlies being brave

 Really, my all-time favorite was the sign that said "beware of rattlesnakes".  I'm not kidding you.  I got an up-close and personal pic, I was so fond of it.  lol. Those are the little girlies being all brave. You know they were more than a little nervous they'd come across a rattler as we were hiking.  We did come across a snake.  A bullsnake, which we heard were not poisonous.  The girlies and I ran for cover while the dear hubs took lots of pictures of it.  True story.


We can't forget about Wall Drug.  If you don't know much about Wall Drug, you're not alone.  I didn't know anything about it.  And since I didn't really read the 411 in the cute little pamphlet we picked up, read this.  We ate at the Cactus Cafe, which was just "okay".  I did like their home-made onion rings, but boy, did I pay for it later. 

On the way out of town, we stopped off at the Prairie Homestead.  The girlies got to dress up in "old" fashion and play the part of pioneers who came through the Dakotas and settled in the Great Plains.  We visited the old sod house and got a vision of how they lived back in 1909.  I'll just tell you, we had the cutest little prairie girlies I've ever seen.  They totally enjoyed dressing up and playing the part.  


Next stop:  Custer, SD.  We stayed at the Flinstones Bedrock City Theme Park and Camping Resort for four nights.  I'll spare you the fiasco we gave the check-in dude and not mention we switched sites three different times within the first 30 minutes of arrival.  Oops!  Did I just say that?!  Once we got situated, though, we were set.  The grounds were clean.  Bathrooms could stand a coat of paint, or two.  No ice cream at the store (which we are totally used to ;).  The first night was unbelievably windy.  I thought our camper was ready for take-off on more than one occasion.  How windy was it, you ask?  It was so windy I took a Dramamine before I went to bed that night. It felt like we were on some kind of bad commuter flight.  No kidding. 

The second day in Custer, we headed for Mount Rushmore.  Yeah, it was that and more. It's like I couldn't really quit looking at it.  We seen it from so many different angles, it was crazy.  We saw Washington's face driving up the mountain before we even got to the gate of the park.

Washington

This is what it looked like from our vantage point.  Then you're inside the park and you're walking towards the monument and at first it seems kinda smallish.  But you continue to walk closer and closer and you're like, wow.  This thing's huge.  We took the hike up the mountain and down the mountain, taking pictures all along the way.  It's like you can't quit taking pictures; like you can't get enough.  Because you know you're leaving in a few days and you want as much memory as you can hold; both mentally and physically.  It was amazing to think of the men that sat on top of that mountain, for years, sculpting the president's heads.  The endurance and perseverance they had to see this to completion.  I love seeing things like this at my age.  I definitely appreciate it so much more and can see all the hard work and patience that went into this project that we, and millions others, are able to enjoy.

We visited Reptile Gardens in Rapid City, SD.  It was interesting and the girlies had fun.  You can only guess what we seen at Reptile Gardens.  Yep.  Reptiles.  I didn't see any gardens, though.

Custer State Park revealed less wildlife than what we seen in the Badlands.  That is, until the second day we drove through.  The dear hubs was NOT leaving SD until we seen a buffalo.  And not just one buffalo.  He wanted to see a herd.  Okay, this proved to be harder than what seems it should have been.  But alas!  As they say, the proof is in the pictures.  And we got pictures.  Lots and lots...and lots.  Okay, this isn't a herd, but it's a pretty good picture, right?


The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, SD was a very cool attraction.  Check it out!  I will never look at a sink hole in the same way.

Okay, I didn't mention Cosmos Mystery Area.  This was one whacked out place!  It was all about the gravity in this certain area back in the woods on a hill.  You'll have to read about it because I'm still not sure I understand it myself.  Well, they call it a mystery for a reason.  Trust me, it was worth the side trip.  Got some good pictures too!  Did I mention we took a lot of pictures on this trip? 

Okay, where are we?  Oh yeah, Custer, SD.  We're back at the campsite getting all packed up.  It was a good trip.  We all survived.  What I neglected to tell you was that we were in one of the worst hailstorms of our lives.  Remember what I said about the proof?  Yes, we have proof.  In pictures.  It was unbelievably crazy, but no one was hurt.  Our camper is a different story.  The hail put about 7 holes in the top of our camper.  Bottom line:  new camper top.  

Okay, we're home now.  And that was a semi-quick rundown of our SD trip.  The dear hubs asked if I would make that trip again some day.  Um...been there, done that.  On to newer ground.  Until next time:  Happy kids, camping, and beyond. 







 

2012 Memorial Weekend Camping Trip

splash pond

Shades of Sherwood in Zumbrota, MN was our choice of campground over the Memorial Day weekend.  Yes, we pulled a three-nighter our first camping trip of the season.  We all know it rains at least once over the long weekend without fail.  And it did.  Rain.  Several times.  With hail and strong winds.  But we waited it out and it was worth it.  The day after the rain was super nice and warm.  Warm enough to get in some water play time.  The picture above is the splash pond.  New this year and a huge addition to the campground.  I dare say it was a hit with the young and old alike.  The water was a bit cold due to the cooler temps and rain the couple days before.  You can only imagine the fun to be had here, right?!  I was a wimp, though, and didn't go into the cold water.  Feet only for me.  The dear hubs and kiddos were very brave indeed, and onward they went.  I saved myself for the heated pool.  I told you I was a wimp.  

This campground gets a 3 stars out of 5.  We enjoyed our time here and all the amenities, however there were a few dealios we felt could be improved upon.  We really thought the place could be a little more micro-managed in certain areas; pool, jumping pillow; general attention of the grounds.  The pool area was not cleaned up after the pool closed and re-opened.  The ladders were not put in the pool for two days.  There were no trash cans in the pool area or even around the campground.  The bathrooms were very typical of what you'd find at most campgrounds.  Average.  On the plus side, the owners are super nice and the entire staff are way more than friendly.  Like family.  Only you like them.  ;)   

The jumping pillow was awesome and a very popular thing.  However, it could have been better monitored.  There were big kids bullying smaller ones and it just wasn't very pleasant to watch.  We finally had our girlies get off the pillow until the bigger kids were gone.  Something was said to a couple of them, but once the staff was gone, the bullying continued.  :(   At a different campground with a jumping pillow which shall remain nameless, the pillow was severely monitored.  It's funny, because at the time, we thought they were being a little over the top with the monitoring.   But now that we've seen what it looks like without any management, we've changed our opinions. 

We played mini-golf on a course that was less than favorable.  Imagine a course that has potential but no upkeep.  A little bit of paint and a broom could do wonders for the little golf course.  It made me want to go fetch a broom and sweep up the debris myself.  While we played mini-golf, a live band played just across the creek, which was pretty cool.  We walked over later and listened for awhile.  

There were also trails of sorts, if you were in that mood.  River tubing for the more serious (or fun, however you look at it) outdoors person.  We didn't participate in that fun amenity for whatever reason.  We talked about it, but never went forward with it.  Oh, wait.  If I remember correctly, I was thinking in my mind of my back appendage hanging in the water through the tube's hole, scraping the bottom of the "river".  The muddy river after a couple day's worth of storms.  Yeah, I think that was it.  Wasn't really there on that.

The bottom line:  We would camp here again.  Definitely.  It was a comfortable campground.  We had a fantastic site right across from the pool, playground and bathrooms.  I mean, seriously.  Who wouldn't love that, right?  Until next time, happy kids, camping, and beyond.  

~mary