Otter Springs Camp Ground in Florida

Both my sisters, and their families, are here visiting us in FL. They are both camping but at two different places. This makes for interesting times seeing everyone. Today, we spent the day at Otter Springs and Campground, with Norma and George. There were thunderstorms on and off all day, but there is an inground pool, that is in a large screen house type building. That is nice, because even if it didn't thunder all day, the springs are not able to be swam in at this time. You probably have seen me blog about Otter Springs before. We did a clean up day there with our 4H group, two years ago, and every year our 4H county award dinner is held at Otter Springs. They have a beautiful banquet hall where a lot of families come, camp and hold their reunion there. I had never actually been down by the springs. The spring itself is nice and clean, but due to Spring flooding there is still a lot of ponding and icky water sitting around. DJ said he saw a snake in the water by the scummy side, but I didn't see it. This spring is rather deep, the marker set in the water had the water at 7.40 feet of water, and that was a very quick drop off. So, you would have to be very careful if swimming with small children there. It is a beautiful place to camp and see the more natural side of Florida. Check it out sometime if in the area. Tomorrow we are off to Shired Island to see my other sister and her family, and then Tues we are hoping to get out to the Atlantic Ocean, one of my husband's favorite things to do.

Free or Frugal Friday Homeschool

We have family coming to visit from out of state, this next week.  So, I am not sure I will be able to blog.  I will try. 

This week Caitlin read a book about the Oregon Trail, on We Give Books.  They have a Summer reading program.  We opted to not do the activity, but she did watch a video about the Oregon Trail.  This is of course free, and books are donated to kids in need after your child reads.

Camp Wonderopalis, also free, is giving me the same issue as last year.  We used it twice and now I can not log in.  This is a total annoyance and I probably will not try again. 

If you are someone that uses manipulatives when you teach Math, then you know they can be very expensive.  You can use anything though, that you have a lot of.  For example this week, Caitlin and I used some of the many beads that were given to her.  They are plastic, and a nice size, so they work perfectly.  You could use candy, cut up straws, toys like Pet shops or other figurines.  Anything that are small, but not too small, that you have a lot of .  Legos comes to mind too.  We don't do Legos, I find them more of a pain than useful. 

DJ continues with Introduction to Forensics, on Coursera, free of course.  DJ, and I, also started watching his Math U See videos for Algebra 1 for next year.  These are not free, lol, but they are very useful.  The gentleman is easy to listen to, stays on track mostly, and explains things in a way you can understand. 

Here are some free resources that I have been saving, and maybe you would like to use too.  I am trying to clean up my favorites, so sharing them here makes more sense as a filing source.

Virtual Eye Dissection:   http://www.eschoolonline.com/company/examples/eye/eyedissect.html
Writing Exercises:   https://owl.english.purdue.edu/exercises/2/
Pond Life Microscope:  http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/index.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/pond/index.html


Come back for more free ideas next week.

World Sea Turtle Day and A Sea Turtle Class

As you may have read, DJ wants to be a Marine Biologist.  Matter of fact his 4H presentation this year was on the subject of the Leatherback Sea Turtle.  So yesterday, which was World Sea Turtle Day, we went to a Sea Turtle class, at the local library.  The Sea Turtle Conservancy, located in Gainesville, FL put on the class.  It was a very interesting class, and I learned quite a bit.  DJ said he did not learn anything new, lol.  The gentleman giving the class was more than happy to answer our millions of questions.  Most importantly I wanted to know if the turtle numbers had improved since they began in the 1950's.  He said yes, and that Loggerhead Turtles were close to be being removed from the Endangered Species list.  Something like 20 years from now, not tomorrow or anything, but still they are making progress.  Some of the things I took away from it were:

1-  If you see garbage, plastic bags or helium balloons on the beach pick them up and throw them away.  Sea Turtles, and other marine life will eat these and die.  They do gently encourage people to not even use these products, but they realize this is not an easy task.

2-  If you are lucky enough to see sea turtles making their nests on the beach don't bother them.  They can actually get spooked and leave the nest without finishing.  Don't flash a camera right in their face.  Don't be loud.  They do offer a turtle walk in Melbourne, FL where you can watch the sea turtles in the nesting process.  There are only a few spots left for this year.  We will definitely be signing up to do this next year.  What a wonderful experience. 

3-  Use LED lights if you own a hotel or business on one of the beaches that the sea turtles nest on. 

To read more about sea turtles and how you can help, visit their website.  They have some neat events coming up soon.  Watch for the Tour De Turtles, check it out on their website. 

Super Easy Ice Cream Cake for Father's Day

This was by far the easiest cake I have ever made in my life. All you need is a box of 12 ice cream sandwiches, frosting, and garnish. Now you can use cool whip, and fruit to write the word DAD. But, for me if I am going to eat an ice cream cake, I am eating it with real frosting and candy topping.

This cake is supposed to be two layers. But, my husband opened the ice cream sandwiches and ate some of them, even though I told him not to. He claims he did not hear that, lol. I place five ice cream sandwiches in the bottom of a glass rectangle dish. I frosted it with vanilla frosting. Then using sprinkles I had on hand, I wrote DAD. Good thing this is fast to make, because it was blazing hot today, and it began to melt pretty fast. Then I covered it and put it in the freezer until Sunday.

I will definitely be making one of these again, so easy, love it!