Putting them in the "way of things worth observing"

One of my favorite things to do while homeschooling is to get out of the house and have some "hands on learning". We've had some wonderful classes and field trip this past year. I want to have a record of them, so here goes.......

Carolina Tiger Rescue

The NC State Arboretum

Abbey was so excited to be able to sit at a real desk!

They learned about angiosperms and gymnosperms. They took home a plant that they grafted.

 Camp Flintlock

 Mordecai House

School House of wonder on the Eno River, to study plants and bugs

 Introduction to edible wild plants(of course, Abbey will eat anything)

Elijah holding aphids

Water quality at Eno River, determined by the presence of certain types of bugs

Ladybug identification at Prairie Ridge Eco station

Pond study at Blue Jay Point

Bugs at Hemlock Bluffs

Metamorphosis at Durant. These are representations of the life cycle of bugs.

Elijah in his happy place at an antique car show

Studying butterflies at Museum of Life and Science

Arctic wildlife at the zoo (Abbey in a polar bear den)

The real polar bear in his real den

Touching seal fur

arctic fox fur

Polar bear skull

Polar bear paw print

Geology at Annie Wilkerson

Types of rocks

large boulders of gneiss

Rare resurrection ferns growing on the gneiss

Rock ID at Yates Mill

Abbey discovers a new sport

Last year, when Daniel received his championship ring during a UNCW volleyball game. Abbey was mesmerized with the sport and wanted to play. Most leagues around here don't start until middle school. But, this summer a parent told me about a volleyball program for ages 9-13. I immediately signed Abbey up!


They had try outs, (everyone was able to play, the try outs were to ensure equitable players). I was so nervous when Abbey was the very first one to show what she could do. I should never have worried. She stepped up and served the ball like a champ! She was chosen to be on the Setters team, which is coached by a friend from our pool. She chose several neighborhood girls, so Abbey had quite a few familiar faces among her team mates.

At one of her last games, she had her own cheering section. Anna, Beth, their kiddos, Nana and Grandaddy joined us to watch our budding volleyball player.

We all were so proud of Abbey and her go-get-it attitude.

Abbey's anxiously awaiting the spring league's start up!

More beach memories

I found my first whole sand dollar

The kids got fishing rods from Nana and Grand daddy. They quickly put them to use.