Our RV Adventure- Days 8 and 9

On Sunday, we continued our way back to PA.  We visited the Nashville Zoo.  What an amazing, beautiful zoo!  The zoo houses more than 6000 animals and 339 species in a natural, breathtaking environment.

Since openings its doors in 1991, the Zoo has grown from a small, private operation in Cheatham County to an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility with international conservation involvement.  Over three-quarters of a million visitors come to the Nashville Zoo annually, making it the number attraction in Middle Tennessee.

The Zoo is one of the few zoos in the country with the ability to expand (only 84 of their 188 acres are developed).  Once fully developed, it will be the ninth largest zoo, by landmass, in the country.

The exhibit designs, which are SO natural and inviting, have been featured on Animal Planet's Ultimate Zoo series.
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Kiddo #3 who absolutely loves elephants was so thrilled to see the massive exhibit.  Our local zoo does not have elephants right now, so this was a wonderful treat!

There was also an exhibit where you get to walk with and pet kangaroos.  They are so amazingly soft!

A zipline will be opening this summer that takes visitors over various exhibits.  Looks like it will be SO much fun.  Maybe next time we pass through!  :-)

That night we found a lovely little campground in Tennessee to stay the night.  We stopped at the Waffle House (aren't their waffles and hashbrowns just the best?!) and then went to get a good night's sleep before driving straight through to PA to arrive in time to bring the rental back on Tuesday morning.

Hope you have enjoyed reading about our adventure!  :-)  If you missed any days, you can find them here:

Day 1

Days 2 and 3

Days 4 and 5

Days 6 and 7

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Our RV adventure Days 6 and 7

Friday was the last day of the conference.  More wonderful speakers (including one for moms by moms) and the last day of Kiddo #4's group.  She really loved her group leader.

The afternoon concluded with a performance by all of the different groups, including Kiddo #4's.  They did such a wonderful job!

I was able to catch up to newlyweds Ben and Jessa and give them the Razorback scarves I had crocheted for them on the long trip from PA to Texas.  They absolutely loved them.  :-) The evening concluded with all kinds of food.  Everyone had food at their own campsites and the Duggar family hosted everyone in the campground at their site for an all-you-can-eat extravaganza.  The kids (and moms!) enjoyed some last moments with their friends.  We were told that these evenings usually go into the wee hours, but not this year.  You see, not too long into the festivities, we got a warning that a big thunderstorm was on its way and we had 10-15 minutes to clear all of our food, etc and bring things in that could blow about.  Not too long after everyone entered the relative safety of their rvs did everyone hear the bullhorns telling us to evacuate to the bathhouses immediately.  There was a tornado warning.  Wow.  This East Coast girl had never experienced anything like it before.  I was proud of my kiddos.  They quickly got their shoes on and got themselves (and their friends who had congregated in our rv) out of the rv and into the bathhouse.  While in the bathhouse, the adults prayed and sang and the kids just chatted. (the photo was a bit blurry as it was taken on my phone and my hand was probably shaking a bit!)  Thank God, about an hour later, we were given the all clear.  It wasn't until the next day that we heard that a tornado did some significant damage about 5 miles away.  The kiddos, hubby and I spent the rest of the evening together in the rv watching a movie.  It turned out just fine after all!

Saturday came and it was a pack up and get moving kind of morning.  In the photos below are the kids helping our neighbors with their tarp, posing with some of their children, Kiddo #4 enjoying part of the obstacle course one more time and Kiddo #1 helping one of his new friends (one of the Duggar boys whose name escapes me right now) pack up their trailer.

We drove for quite a while and stopped for the night at the Redstone Arsenal Army Base in Huntsville, Alabama.  It is where the Army and joint services, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, defense and aerospace industries all come together on the 38,000 acre base housing some of our nation's most critical missions.  They have an RV park there.  How cool is that?!  I have to say that I have never felt more secure and safe than I did that night.  Not everyday you and your family are protected by all kinds of armed personnel along with the nation's most tightly guarded missions! Even Pooh was impressed. :-)

Stay tuned tomorrow for our visit to the Nashville Zoo!

For Day 1 click here

For Days 2 and 3 click here

For Days 4 and 5 click here

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Our RV Adventure- Days 4 and 5

On Wednesday, the homeschool conference in Texas began with all kinds of motivational speakers, faith, friends and fellowship.

Kiddo #4 participated in a program for her age group that was like a summer camp or VBS.  They sang songs, made crafts and played games.

The older kids had "formal" and informal activities and motivational speakers.  There were some, like the Benham brothers that literally had the teens on their feet.

There were speakers and programs in the mornings, afternoon and evenings.  You could go to as few or as many as you'd like.  We enjoyed meals with our dear friends who were our "next-door neighbors."  :-)

How refreshing to be removed from the world, if even for a few days--when you could open your door and let your kid go out and play and know they were safe or have a child knock on your door and welcome them in to play.  Don't we wish that it could be like that all the time?

For Days 2 and 3 click here.

For Day 1, click here.

Stay tuned for the end of the conference, Kiddo #4's performance and a visit to Nashville on the way home!

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Our RV Adventure Days 2 and 3

Sorry it's been so long since I've written about our adventure!  It was difficult to write while on the move, and while in Texas, I was just too pooped by the end of each evening to think about writing up a post.  So, I will do my best to catch up now that we are home safe and sound.  :-)

I think what I loved the most about the rv trip was how much my kids really enjoyed it.  My boys are really tall and cannot fit comfortably in our minivan for any length of time. (imagine a serious case of knees in the chest x 3!)  They were able to stretch out, play games of cards, get up if needed for a drink, etc.  When we finally did arrive on Monday afternoon (after an all-nighter pulled by my sweet hubby to make sure we would get there on time), we were greeted by two of my friends.  It was so good to see them! (forgive my I've been in my same clothes for 2 days look, lol!)

That evening, and the next day (Tuesday), the Kiddos made fast friends with so many!  The night we arrived, there was a big bonfire with a chance to meet and greet with the already hundreds of people who were there(they were expecting over 2,000 by the beginning of the conference) There was bike riding, playing of games and even Kiddo #1 flying his airplanes.

On Tuesday evening, there were the opening "ceremonies" and we were welcomed by the cadets who are currently studying there and some other speakers.  The campus is the International ALERT academy.  ALERT stands for Air Land Emergency Resource Team. (they train firefighters, police, rescue workers, EMTs, etc.)

I look forward to sharing Days 4 and 5 with you tomorrow!  :-)

If you missed Day 1,  you can see it here.  

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Our RV Adventure Day #1

It has not begun exactly as planned but that's ok.  We are calling it our own Griswald-style National Lampoon's vacation.  :-)  We have headed out on our long journey from Pennsylvania to Texas for a homeschool conference.

The unit we were originally scheduled for had some problems, so they lined us up with a brand new 2015 rental model as an "apology."  When I say brand new, I mean brand new, as in we had to wait (and wait!)  for it to get tags and then wait some more for them to call their insurance company to get it covered, so we got a much, much later start than we anticipated.  But, it is really new and really nice. (forgive the quality of the first two images, as they were taken on my phone)

During one of our stops early today in Maryland, we visited the National Road.  George Washington had envisioned a road spanning our new nation.  Thomas Jefferson brought the idea to fruition.  He authorized the construction of a road from Maryland to Ohio.  The road was literally built when entire parts of the mountain range were broken through.  We got to climb up one half of one such peak and cross over to the other side.  It was pretty cool if I should say so myself.  I just love how there is always something to see and learn!  :-)

We also went through West Virginia today (I didn't realize just quite how breathtaking going through the Appalachian range would be-- and fun on the ears, as well!) and are heading into Kentucky as I type this.

I look forward to posting even more updates and photos as we arrive at our destination tomorrow. :-)

How was your weekend?

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My Week in Review #33

It is Friday and that means it is time for you to share all about your week!  :-)

An InLinkz Link-up

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Try a New Recipe Tuesday- April 14

It is that time of the week again-- time for you to share all of your delicious recipes!  :-)

The most clicked post from last week's hop was:

Sabja (Basil Seeds) and Berry Pudding from At the Corner of Happy and Harried

An InLinkz Link-up

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My Week in Review #32

It's Friday-- time to share all about your week!  :-)

I am still busy writing my own post and hope to link it up before the weekend is over.  :-)

An InLinkz Link-up

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Try a New Recipe Tuesday- April 7th

Happy April!  It's Tuesday again and that means it is time to share your delicious recipes.  I hope you all had a beautiful and blessed Easter (or Passover)

The most viewed post from last week's hop was:

10 Steps to Deal with 40 pounds of Chicken from Day Today Adventures

An InLinkz Link-up

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My Week in Review #31

It is that time of the week-- to share all about your adventures!  :-)

My post, the first one linked below is our week in pictures-- everything from Taekwondo to homeschool day in Hershey, PA to Wacky Science on April Fool's Day.  Come over and take a look!

I hope you and your family have a very happy and blessed Easter(Resurrection Sunday)!!

An InLinkz Link-up

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My Week in Review/THMJ/Weekly Wrap-Up- April 2

Spring may finally, finally be here!

On Monday, I grabbed some photos of the kids sparring.  Kiddos 3 and 4 also earned their leadership trophy.  To earn the trophy, they had to demonstrate leadership abilities 50 times (the parents write down what occurred on an index card and it is announced at the end of class.  The child is awarded a leadership card.  When they receive 15 cards, they are awarded a medal.  When the earn 50 more, they receive the trophy)

Tuesday was Homeschool Day at The Hershey Story museum in Hershey, PA.  Homeschooling and chocolate!  How could you go wrong? 

What a wonderful program!  The theme was "Maya- the first lovers of chocolate."  The kids (and mom!) got to make Mexican chocolate, we learned how the Mayans made a chocolate drink for very special occasions, made their names in hieroglyphics and do some weaving.

In addition, there was a scavenger hunt that took us throughout the museum (and the high school version was tough!).  The kids learned so much about Milton Hershey and the incredible legacy he left behind for the children who attend the Milton Hershey School that is funded by the company's chocolate sales.  In addition, he was always serving the community, being a fair employer, even building and selling homes to his employees with minimal interest rates.  He built Hershey Park as an entertainment venue for his employees and their families in addition to theatres, community centers and other cultural sites.  During the height of the depression, he paid off the debts of the 5 churches in the area (of all different denominations) and those churches continue to thrive today.  I could go on and on.  It never ceases to amaze me that people like that did exist in the world and he and his wife's kindness continues to bless so many today.....

Of course, no trip to Hershey would be complete with going to Chocolate World.  We never tire of the factory tour ride.

Wednesday was April Fool's Day.  What better way to celebrate than to do some kooky and wacky science experiments!  We made an "explosion" with vinegar, baking soda and food coloring and had pepper scatter instantly with the touch of our finger (with a dab of dish soap on it)

Thursday brought spring weather, FINALLY!  The kids all had their bikes out and enjoyed the lovely weather!

Remember the ceramics they made a few weeks back?  We picked them up today and they are just beautiful!  :-)

I hope you have a beautiful and blessed Easter (and Happy Passover to those who celebrate!)

Linking up today with:  My Week in Review,  Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weekly Wrap-Up, Show-Off Friday, Learn and Link and It's a Wrap, Friendship Friday and Friday Connection and Family Fun Friday and T.G.I.F. Linky Party and Let's Homeschool High School and This Week and Collage Friday

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TOS Review- Thick as Thieves

Today I am reviewing the book Thick as Thieves by Susan K. Marlow from Circle C Milestones.

This delightful book is the first book in a new series.  Let me just say that we are anxiously awaiting the release of the next title!

The book focuses on the life of teenager Andrea Carter in 1880s California.  This is a work of Christian historical fiction that is geared for readers ages 12+.

There is a downloadable study guide, which is free and accompanies the book and will be enormously helpful when I read the book with my daughter.  The Study guide has 40 pages full of thought-provoking discussion questions, vocabulary lessons and more.

The other series from Circle C are the following (but are in no means necessary to have read before reading this book.  I had never read them and was fully able to immerse myself in the life of Andrea Carter, literally hanging on to every word!)

Circle C Beginnings- children ages 6-9
Circle C Adventures- children ages 9-12
Circle C Milestones (of which this book is the first!)- ages 12+
There is even Goldtown Adventures for boys 9-12!

We just love incorporating literature into our homeschool, especially historical fiction. It brings the period of our history to life for my children and makes it so much more real and relevant than a few bland pages from a textbook.

For the purpose of this review, I read the book.  It isn't very often I get to enjoy a good book that isn't a homeschooling book of some kind!  Also, I have to be honest, I always read a book before I would have my children read it and I can definitely without a doubt say that this book passed my "mom" test and that we will be reading it together in school soon, as we just happen to be getting to this period in American history.

As the story opens, Andi, the protagonist, is in the barn worried as her beloved horse Taffy is laboring to give birth.  It is a difficult delivery of twins, and Andi's brother skillfully, not only delivers the foals, but assures Andi that Taffy will be fine because she noticed that something must have been wrong.  Andi literally spends the entire cold night by her horse's side.

Andi yearns to help at the ranch full time.  It is where her heart lies.  It is at her mother's assistance that she attend school.  The plot thickens as a new girl named Macy is assigned to sit next to her.  Macy seems to be troubled.  I so enjoyed seeing how it all would turn out.  There are definitely unexpected twists and turns.  This book has a perfect balance of adventure and examples of moral behavior.  It is by no means preachy and keeps its readers engaged and interested.

The overall theme of this heartwarming novel is friendship-- not to judge someone by their appearances or their station in life.  Macy is mean-spirited and wild.  Andi looks past this, difficult as it may be, because of the lessons her mother taught her about walking a mile in another person's shoes.  Isn't this an important lesson that all of our children need to have? Andi wonders if she could even trust Macy.  I will not spoil the outcome, but let's just say that the friendship that emerges will make your heart smile.

To read a sample of Thick as Thieves click here.

The next book in the series, Heartbreak Trail is due out in July.  I can't wait to read it.  There is an excerpt here if you would like to take a look.

You can order personalized copies of the book here for only $9.99.

Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CircleCAdventures
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/SuzyScribbles

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