Disney: Our first 3 days in the world

It has been crazy, busy, fun, amazing, exhausting, and overwhelming. I know I will forget the details if I don't write it down. This is an epic, once in a lifetime kind of trip, so I want to create a memory book. I decided to start now, while we are still "in the magic".

I am going to do journaling pages that chronologically tell our day to day adventures, and then I'll create pages for all the major events, parks, characters, etc.

The first 3 days: (click to see larger)


A few more pages I have done. Today was especially long and tiring so it will be a few more days before I get those pages caught up.

River Sweep

Yesterday Grants Webelos 2 den participated with the boy scouts with picking up trash along the waterways in Charleston at the Beach Sweep River Sweep clean up event.

We found lots of trash that had been thrown overboard by boaters. It was hot and dirty, but I'm thankful for the opportunity to teach the kids about doing our part to take care of the environment.

I'm trying to get my scrapbooking caught up, so I whipped up this page to scrap yesterday's clean up.

Homeschooling

One of the reasons I set up this blog was to share some of my homeschooling ideas that are working for us. Since we are in the full swing of the new school year, I am going to share 2 of my favorite ideas to make our homeschool experience easier and better organized.

The first one I came up with totally on my own, and I'm rather proud of it. It is a lifesaver, argument preventer, and major task helper. I have grabbed it to bring along to doctor appointments, grandma's house, or just about anywhere that we want to do school on the go. This one item, along with my canvas Sonlight tote bag filled with a few books or worksheets, is all we need on the go. At home, it sits in the middle of the dining room table where anyone can reach it.

It's our supply caddy. (link is similar but not exactly the same as mine).Purchased from Walmart a year or so ago, I have also seen it (for more money) at Michael's. It is advertised as a scrapbooking caddy. It has held up to our abuse remarkably well and has no shortage of pockets, both flat and zippered, as well as internal elastic pockets which I use to corral the markers and colored pencils.

Without further ado:



On the side we store all of our scissors (plenty to do crafts with friends and no fighting over scissors!) and pencils.


On this side we keep all our dry erase markers and erasers. We use these alot for handwriting, clock practice, and for fun. We have several tablet sized dry erase boards, with and without lines, that fit right in the middle section of this caddy for on the go fun.


Elastic pouches inside each section corral markers and colored pencils so it's easy to grab the color you are looking for. On the other side there is room for glue and glue sticks, and it comes with a velcro pouch to hold erasers. Rulers go in the middle.


Math manipulatives like protractors and small rulers fit in here.


There is even a big zippered compartment for index cards, small post it notes, and card games.


My other favorite favorite homeschool help is workboxes. We just started using them this year, and it has transformed our homeschool. I just simply don't know how I coped before they came into the picture. Well, I know I was much less organized. Here is one quick picture of our workboxes. I will add more in another post:)

Blogging... again!

I decided to start a blog back up in anticipation of our upcoming trip to Disney World. A trip we can't afford. Except that the stars lined up one day. And J found out he had a two week training class in Orlando. I wished we could come along, because the hotel would be paid for. And travel expenses. All we would have to pay for would be park tickets.

And then I remembered that the Carolina Homeschool group was planning a Disney trip. I wondered if the dates would be even close. Guess what? Uh huh, those stars were in a straight line. (Okay I don't really believe in stars lining up, clearly it was all God!!!) So anyway, the dates lined up and the group rate for tickets was a fabulous deal. We were able to get 8 day park hopper passes, which will keep us very busy for the two weeks. At prices way cheaper than I thought possible.

Now if only we didn't have to eat while we are down there. because man! The food prices are right up there with those lined up stars. So I have an elaborate plan that includes the in-room fridge that comes with our room and cheap breakfasts and lunches to carry in to the parks. I hope it goes according to what I have built up in my mind.

We have started walking in the evenings to get our feet ready for the onslaught. I hear you can cover 5-10 miles a day walking around the parks. My Disney book has a whole section on blisters. Guess I better take that seriously. We all know how painful blisters can be. And I know how whiny I the kids can be.

SO there is the start to my blog. I hate to post without a picture, so I guess I'll give you one from our one and only previous Disney trip- circa 2005.

Three very tired kids after one very long day at Magic Kingdom.