Geodes, Knives and the Medieval Fair

Today, was school day at the Hoggetown Medieval Fair in Gainesville, FL. We had never been before so we decided to go since DJ has been learning about the Middle Ages. I have to admit I was a little disappointed. It was too cold to sit still on steel bleachers to watch the Joust, and most of it was just food and goods vendors. We did learn some stuff, and the kids really did have an awesome time. I was the only one to complain, lol. DJ got a knife, well sort of. He is almost 14, but legally can not carry or own such a knife as this. So, for now it is mine, and it will be released to him when he is of age. It is secured in a safe place. He is so proud of the knife he doesn't even own yet, lol. Caitlin and I both got a rock geode, which the man opened up for us, at the fair. You can see the results below. Caitlin also got a wolf necklace, she loves wolves, and DJ some small rocks. We love rocks here at our house. Next week should go back to a full and normal school week. We do have a hiking trip on Wed, but all lessons should be able to be completed. I will share pictures from that. We are going to Poe Springs and we have never been there before. Can't wait!

Earth Kids Meeting: Make Bird Seed Dough

We finally got our Earth Kids meeting done. It has been cold, and with kids having colds, we just have not been able to do it. We did do it at the house, rather than the park, this one time because it was raining and I did not want to cancel again. We only have four active kids in the group right now. So, if you live in the Gilchrist County, FL area and you want something fun to do drop me a message and I will let you know when our Feb meeting is. We are on Facebook too at Tri County Earths Kids Club. For this meeting DJ practiced his 4H demonstration, for this weekend, on the Leatherback Sea Turtle. Then we made these very interesting bird feeders. This was an extremely messy craft, but it did work and we have them outside to see if they birds will love them. I followed all her directions for making the bird feeders, and you can too by clicking the link.

2nd Chrysalis Hatched and A New Week

The second Monarch chrysalis has hatched and will be ready for release tomorrow.  The first one didn't want to leave.  We took it outside and it just sat there.  So, we put it on a flower, and it just sat there, for hours.  It was gonna get cold again that night, so we brought it back in the house.  Three days later and it was ready to go.  Our Milkweed plants suffered great damage from the freezing temps, so I hope they can come back when it warms up. 

Last week, due to some illness and events of life, we did not do a ton of school, but we will get back on track this week.  Actually this week, is a week of more life learning, than textbook learning.  We need to prepare for County Events, which is next Sat, for 4H.  Then on Tues we have our Earth Kids meeting that had to be delayed twice in Jan, grocery shopping, and the Medieval Fair is on Friday.  It is finally supposed to warm up just in time for the Fair.  So, this week won't be a lot of textbook work.  We are planning a vacation later in the year, so the Medieval Fair will be the last field trip probably for this year.  We need to save a lot of money, plus much needed house repairs have to be done this year.  So, field trips, and paid trips will be rare.  We will be doing a monthly trail walk and picnic to local springs, but they are cheap to get into.

A Chrysalis Has Hatched and Busch Gardens Again

Well my pictures did not post in order, but you get the idea. Caitlin's Monarch Chrysalis was two weeks old on Sunday. But nothing had happened yet. Yesterday, we were gone all day, and tired when we got home so we didn't think to check. This morning, we went back to regular school days, and I asked her to check it. She said it hadn't hatched yet, but that it was black and she thought it was close. A few hours later, poof there it was all hatched. We released it later this afternoon. What a wonderful thing to get to experience! Plant milkweed and you can get some Monarch caterpillars too. I don't have any pictures of the boys feeding the birds, at Busch Gardens, they were taken on the cell and uploaded to Facebook, but what a wonderful experience that was. We wanted to do the Safari, Caitlin and me, but it was so expensive I almost choked on my soda. I am sorry Busch Gardens but if you somehow get to read this, season pass owners, should not have to pay for the extra stuff. It should be a benefit as a pass holder to see Christmas Town, and the Safari tour, without having to pay extra. I am really annoyed about this. It was very busy yesterday, even though this is their slow time of year. You can assume it is because it was a holiday. The boys, DJ took his friend, and Craig just wanted to ride the rides, and they did. Caitlin and I had a blast all by ourselves. Every time we have gone we have experienced something new and different. I really recommend the season passes if you go, so you can get to see it all. Feeding the birds was $5.25 for a little cup of nectar, 3 something with the pass, and it was so much fun. It really was worth it, and we got some awesome pictures to share and have forever.