My Father's World

Third week of school in the books and the first family field trip. We fit in a nature walk again this week with some sketching and craft time in the woods. Spotted the first changing leaves! It will be a while yet before we feel autumn temperatures, but the sight was encouraging. Friday Aaron took off work so we could visit Wilmington, NC. A Spanish Galeon replica ship was docked at the marina and I wanted Rebecca to see it! It is an exact copy of the ships in Captain Menendez's fleet that brought 2000 settlers to begin St. Augustine Florida. We've also covered Leif's discovery of northern Canada, Columbus's claiming of present day Cuba and Haiti, and the English settlement of Jamestown, VA. Rebecca seems to really have her imagination sparked by all this history and I couldn't be happier! Also this weekend we met some friends for a pizza picnic in the park in honor of our newly turned eight year olds.
       

 This park is next to the train track and Isaiah just LOVES watching the trains!

 First leaves of Fall

 WWJD bracelet craft.

 Port City Marina

 Imagine climbing this rigging!

 Nicest room....the captain's room.

 The metal hull is not quite accurate, but the rest was cool!

 The kids want this pink boat.

 Checking out the beach because the boat tour wasn't actually that long.....20 min?

 Right in the face....they came up gagging on the taste of sea water.

 Just letting the waves wash over him.

 Pizza picnic party in the park.

 Two eight year olds to celebrate.

 He won't play in the splash pad, because he wants the train so badly!

 Levi saying 'hoo hoo'.

 Isaiah saying 'chugga hoo hoo'

 They can't leave without ringing the bell.

 the 'train station' at Village Park

Editing

One thing I love about a camera phone.....easy editing! Some fun shots from the beach yesterday. 'Regular' pictures of the El Galeon Andalucia and the beach to come later.

Sails and Skates

 This year I really feel like a 'homeschool mom'. We are three weeks into our curriculum and have official science, history, language, etc. work. Its lots of fun to see Rebecca learning and enjoying herself. Last week as a reward for a week well done we went to homeschool roller skating. So many memories, not of this rink, of course, but I can remember lots of skating on Fridays. Levi wanted to give it a try this time too. I can't believe we're at this stage of parenting.....past the baby days and into projects and field trips!

 STEM work one morning while mama fought a migraine.

 Foil models of the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria...a little experiment in wind driven sailing ships.

 The boys really liked this project!

 Rebecca has outgrown the skatemate helper, but Levi is ready to start learning!

 Very proud of himself.....if I had fallen as often as him I'd have been in the ER....thank goodness for flexible bones.

Never to be left out, Isaiah jumps in no matter the project.