martinzoo

Today GB, Gramma and I headed out to Currituck Lighthouse.

Up, up, up………..

214 thigh-burning steps later we came out to the platform that runs all the way round the top of the lighthouse. GB loves climbing this lighthouse. But he does get ‘the danger feel’ when he turns away from the railing.

I don’t get the danger feel at all. I love being high up and seeing a panoramic view.

I thought this was a cool sight, the shadow of the lighthouse on the tops of the trees down below.

Going down, down, down…….

This is the boardwalk at Currituck. It goes all the way out to the sound. We decided to bring Gramma’s little daushund, Sherrie. Sherrie enjoyed the extra attention that GB lavished on her during our trip to the lighthouse and letterboxing.

Here they are on the sound, enjoying the sunshine.

Aha! There’s the letterbox!

Open it……

…….and stamp our books. It had a cute little lighthouse stamp.

I walked around the back of the lighthouse and got this cool picture. This is the lightkeeper’s house with the lighthouse in the background. We were on a quest to find the Wild Horses of the Currituck Outer Banks Museum.

We found it in this old Corolla Schoolhouse. It’s a teeny, tiny little museum with a great big cause. Purchases from the Mustang Store help to protect and preserve the herd.

This was a cool field trip.

I had no idea that there was SO much to do at Mount Vernon. After a two hour trip up I-95, we arrived at 11:30. We stayed until close to 5:00 and suffered the DC traffic on the way home, but it was totally worth it.

One of the absolute highlights of my day, though, was finally getting to meet a woman that I have long admired in the homeschool blogging world, Jennifer, from Toad Haven. Her children, Ethan and Emily, are in the center of this photo with Mr. Washington himself. I’m so happy that she included a visit with us into her busy schedule.

I really loved this wall of stained glass windows.

GB, O-Man, and Wall-E on the lawn in front of Mount Vernon from the land side.

Mount Vernon - Does it bother anyone else that the windows are not symmetrical?

One of the tours we did was called The National Treasure tour. We learned how Mount Vernon was used for the scenes in the movie where the President was abducted by Nicholas Cage’s character. This is the entrance to the basement. In the movie the secret service had to bust this door down. We got to go down in the basement, which is not usually open to the public. Unfortunately, no photography was allowed inside the house anywhere. So, I have no pictures to show. But they also showed us the point at which a secret tunnel comes into the house. It isn’t really a secret tunnel, but the movie makers used plans of the house to come up with the idea of a secret tunnel.

This is the view of the Potomac River from the porch of Mount Vernon.

From the porch you cannot see this wall. It just looks like rolling, grassy lawn. But George Washington had it put in to keep sheep from coming up the hill to his house. They called it a ‘ha-ha wall’ because the sheep got to the wall and could go no further.

This is the entrance to the ice house for Mount Vernon. They used the entrance to the ice house to simulate the entrance to the ’secret tunnel.’

This is a diagram that gave the movie producers the idea for a secret tunnel. The entrance begins in the side of the hill off to the right in the diagram. The top of the diagram shows the trap door to the ice house that you see below.

The trap door.

And this is the exit for the ice house tunnel. Down at the bottom of that hill is the Potomac River.

In the early 1920’s Henry Ford came to visit Mount Vernon and was very dismayed that there was no fire prevention vehicles, so he donated this one.

The boys enjoyed watching the water in the Potomac.

This is the view of Mount Vernon from the river.

This is the tomb of George Washington, his wife, Martha, and 20-something relatives.

George Washington’s tomb is on the right and Martha is on the left. The black gate in the back leads to where all the others are buried.

While George was home, before he became President, his barn burnt down, killing his precious horses. It upset him so much that he insisted the next stable be built of brick. This is his stable.

This was his clerk’s quarters.

This was the slaves dining area. George Washington’s slave quarters were the nicest I’ve ever seen. They had plenty of space.

This was the kitchen.

The boys were fascinated by this huge tree.

As you entered the educational building you were greeted by this eight-foot-high concave sculpture of Washington. He was freaking the boys out. His eyes seem to follow you every where you go.

In the scientific area they showed how scientists and computer technicians had worked together with forensics to pinpoint draw a simulation of what George Washington actually looked like.

And this is what they came up with. They used this image on all the recreated images in the museum.

They have a really cool theater in the educational center. And we watched a movie that detailed, chronologically, the turning point battles of the Revolutionary War. And when cannons were firing during the movie our seats would shake and vibrate. And when it snowed while Washington was crossing the Delaware, it snowed in the theater. It was a really cool movie.

Another great field trip.

You can do a virtual field trip to Mount Vernon here.

Today we went with our homeschooling group to see a play at the historic Empire Theater in Richmond. We’ve been to a few plays before at this theater and we do enjoy going.

…..But…..

Omg! I am getting so tired of fighting for parking in Richmond. Seriously. If Richmond’s leaders really want to bring in great culture, such as plays, concerts, comedians, or sporting events, they are going to have to get on the ball and do something about the ridiculous state of parking. It seriously inhibits our enjoyment of city activities.

The theater is beautiful. And they do try to put on a huge variety of plays. Today we saw The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I had never read the story, seen a movie, or play on this subject. And I was expecting something a bit scary. But since this is children’s theater they kept it in a comedic fashion. There was lots of singing and dancing, which I enjoyed…..

……but GB didn’t.

While exiting the theater, he proclaimed the play to be “garbage!”……. LOL! Well, I guess there is no appreciation there. He was expecting a haunting/Halloween type of story. And he didn’t appreciate the forays into singing, dancing, or romance. He did like spending more time with his best buddy, O-man. So it was all worth it in the end.

Here is a great teacher’s guide for the play. It was put out by Theatre IV.

Today was Homeschoolers Day at the Museum of the Confederacy.

Typically it would take me about 40 minutes from my house to get into the heart of Richmond for any event. We had to be there between 10:00 and 10:30…….. lots of wiggle room if I left at 9:10.

I’ve been in Richmond many times when something big was going on, such as marathons and concerts (The Boss! How big is that?). BUT this was outrageous!

I knew something was up as soon as I turned onto Marshal Street. The crowds lined up on every sidewalk, crossing the street in all inappropriate places, and traffic was congested to the point of folks making their own lanes out of nowhere! But I still had no idea what was going on until I passed the signs: “Obama for Change.”

Barack Obama was in town; the same day as Homeschool Day at the Museum of the Confederacy. How inconsiderate!…..LOL!

Needless to say, most folks didn’t make it to the museum. Traffic and parking were a complete and total nightmare. But thankfully, for those of us who did (albeit late) they still waited and gave us the whole routine.

And GB loved it. He was so looking forward to talking to people who knew a LOT about the Civil War.

You see this brick sidewalk? Well, the museum finally had to go speak to the police officers who were trying to keep us from coming down this street, and tell them to let homeschoolers through. ALL parking in Richmond was taken by fervent Obama fans, even the hospital parking. So the museum created a little parking lot for us on this brick sidewalk. Wasn’t that nice? We still had to go around police baracades to get to it, but it does make for an exciting story.

Inside, the museum has authentic Confederate flags on display, along with about 50,000 artifacts that are routinely rotated for display.

This is Jeb Stuart’s cavalry hat.

These were among the many uniforms worn by the Confederate Army.

I thought this portable desk, which they called an ‘office,’ was  so cool.

Check out this portrait. Doesn’t Jefferson Davis look just like Abe Lincoln? Apparently, lots of people back then thought so, too, and often commented on it. You can read about his presidency here.

On a sad note, poor President Davis had a tough personal life. While on a honeymoon with his first wife, both he and she came down with malaria. She succumbed to the disease and Davis went into a coma, but ultimately survived.  He and his second wife, Varina, had five children (two while living in the White House). Jefferson Davis was a very loving and tolerant dad. And his rambunctious children often interupted him, no matter who he was conferencing with. Young Jeff Davis, the oldest child, was a member of a street gang, called the Shockhoe Hill Cats, while in Richmond. They battled the rival gang with rocks and sticks for control of play areas. The three Davis boys all died young, one from malaria, one from diptheria, and one from a fall off the balcony of the White House while Jefferson Davis was President. Only one of his daughters married, so all decedents of Jefferson’s can be traced through her.

This is the back of the White House of the Confederacy. This is where Jefferson Davis lived and worked while President of the Confederate states.

Here is GB and his friend O-Man on the wrought iron staircase of the White House.

The inside of the White House was opulently decorated with many original pieces, wall coverings, and flooring. We were particularly awed by the gaseliers (chandeliers that run on gas). They were gorgeous!

After the tour of the house, O-man got to try on a soldier’s uniform.

Here, the children are seeing how much space they would have under their half-shelter tent.  Each soldier was issued one at the beginning of the war. After marching long hours with over 50 lbs. on their backs, many soldiers left these by the side of the road. But if they didn’t, and they needed more space to lay under………

…………. they could join them together at these toggle holes to make a larger shelter. That’s why they called them half-shelters.

Towards the end of the presentation GB asked if they could hold the gun. And since there were only six kids who were able to make it through Obama world, the curator said that they could all give it a try.

After the presentation the kids were ravenous. So we headed off to McDonald’s. I love this picture of GB and O-Man running to catch up with the other homeschoolers.

Such joy!

I needed this.

I will admit that I thrive on field trips. I actually need them. They elevate MY mood, never mind GB’s mood. So I suppose that if MY mood is elevated it can only mean good things for GB. We went to the Pauwau on Friday, but this trip to Monticello really made me exhilerated. I loved it. The whole trip was fantastic. It’s not too far from our home, about 1 1/2 hours, and the drive is gorgeous.

Monticello is the home of our third President, Thomas Jefferson. The name ‘Monticello’ is translated from Italian to mean, Little Mountain. In 1787 Thomas Jefferson said, “…….all my wishes end, where I hope my days will end, at Monticello.” He loved his home more than any other place on Earth and his greatest hobby was “putting up, and pulling down” parts of the house to make them more stylish or functional.

This was my favorite picture of the house that I took. I love the reflection of the house in the fish pond.

These pictures were from the rooms underneath the main house, called dependencies. They were the spaces for working, living, and storage. The photo above is from the kitchen. It was considered to be the best equipped in Virginia, complete with French copper cookware. The cooks worked on this multi-burner stove that enabled them to prepare dishes in the French manner.

This is the Cook’s cave room.

GB had a blast climbing all over the trees, much to Uncle D’s concern.

Thomas Jefferson considered himself, above all else, a farmer. And he was always trying out new crops and machinery. With over  1000 acres cleared for crop cultivation, Monticello workers worked from dawn to dusk, six days a week. They received a peck of cornmeal, a half-pound of meat, salted herring, and occasionally salt and milk. They got a set of clothing every summer and winter, and a blanket every three years. During their spare time they were allowed to use their abilities to create their own furnishings, cooking utensils, gardens and poultry yards. Sometimes they performed tasks outside of the working hours for which Jefferson paid them extra.

A moment of silence must be paid for the loss of such an amazing tree. I never found out, but I’m assuming this tree was a Hurricane Isabelle loss. How sad.

One thing that was discussed the last time I came to Monticello (fifteen years ago) was that inspiration from French architecture cause Jefferson to design the main house to give the illusion of being a single story home, even though it really has three levels. The windows are ingeniously devised to look like single story windows, but actually are one window for both main and upper level.

Judging by all the casks and wine jugs, GB wanted to know if they were always drunk at Monticello………LOL!

One of the best things about our day was that Jabem and Aquagirl came from their colleges to accompany us. Aunt T (who somehow escaped my photo lens) and Uncle D came too, but I see them all the time, and I really miss Aquagirl and Jabem when they are gone. Aquagirl brought her boyfriend, Red. And that made me happy, too. Because it takes her so long to warm up to people. But now she is actually admitting to the boyfriend/girlfriend status. Does that not look like an infatuated gaze to you?

This is one of the five indoor privies attached to the whole house. Thomas Jefferson was very progressive for his time in that he was one of the first to provide these indoor privies. He even had one in his bedroom suite.

Another tree to climb.

Aquagirl and Red. During the house tour, the docent described Thomas Jefferson’s appearance as a thin, tall man, who stood a little over six feet and remarkably straight with red hair. Hmmm, check out Red’s appearance.

This is the vegetable garden and Garden Pavilion.  You could also call it TJ’s laboratory, since he planted 330 varieties of more than 70 species of vegetables. He liked to experiment with all varieties and combination of seeds.

This is the view from inside the Garden Pavilion.

The blacksmith shop was in an area of Monticello called, Mulberry Road. Most of the structures were formed from wood, so they no longer exist.

The joinery at Monticello was one of Virginia’s best-equipped  woodworking shops. Joiners made furniture for Monticello, some of which is displayed in the main house.

All my kiddos! I don’t know what my boys are looking at, or why they look so somber….

……but Aquagirl know how to pose for a picture, AND how to get some giggles!

Thomas Jefferson is buried, along with other members of his family, in this graveyard. His epitaph, which he wrote himself, only included, “Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, and the Father of the University of Virginia.” UVA is one of the greatest universities ever, and my dh’s alma mater.  Go Wah Hoos!

Monticello is the only house in the United States that is on the World Heritage Centre’s list that includes 878 properties  around the world forming part of the cultural and natural heritage which the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value.

If you want to see pictures of the inside of the house, you can take a virtual tour here which includes some of the second floor and the third floor (the dome), which they do not allow access to during the main house tour because of fire restrictions.

I *know* this is a ton of pictures, but I took SO many more that I could have shared. But I restrained myself people. I did. I swear. I’m sorry. I’m an addict and I’ll admit it. I just want you to have as nice an experience as we did.Enjoy!

As you will recall from my Monday post, GB and I have been having sort of a rough week. His attitude hasn’t been the best. And he’s been holding back on our curriculum. He didn’t complain outwardly about the curriculum, but he’s had no enthusiasm for it; even for the science and history, which he typically loves. And I’ve felt all week like I was saying, ‘No, no, no’ over and over.

I’m probably a pushover, but on the advice of several of my readers, I decided to give GB a break from the curriculum. We can definitely afford it, we’re about two weeks ahead of schedule. So, today was a “Yes” day. He loves to go traipsing through the State Park down the way, and we have a cut-through path right across the street from us. So today we had a nature day for him, and for me, we did a really cool craft; which I will post later….. It’s not quite dry.

We were a little distressed that some of the pathways are getting a bit overgrown. It seems like people aren’t using the park paths these days.

We saw a surprising variety of wildflowers, which we haven’t identified yet, but we’ll do that soon.

And I showed him how some of the wildflowers disperse their seeds.

I love this pretty pink flower. It was such a contrast to all the greens and browns on the ground.

And the foliage is just so pretty here in central Virginia.

GB thought this moss felt just like carpet.

And this stuff felt just like the sponges that you pay a fortune for in the bed and bath stores. It’s roots didn’t go very deep at all. In fact, GB felt bad that he disturbed this little puff from it’s spot.

Check out the lichen in these photos. The green lichen in the bottom photo didn’t even look real to us, and we were there!

And, omg! It was a mushroom day! We saw so many different kinds of mushrooms. We are going to have to look through our field guides and identify all these. So many colors!

This one had a pretty lacy edge and was quite large.

But not as big as this one, which is splitting under it’s own weight.

This was a strange looking mushroom. I’d never seen colors or a shape like this. It sort of reminded me of a turkey sculpture….LOL! And no, folks, that is not an upside down mushroom. That is the way it was growing. Don’t bother trying to enlarge it, it’s fuzzy. Too bad, because it was so cool.

This one just made me think of houses for fairies. It’s so perfectly shaped, with just the right overhang. Aren’t they amazing in their perfection?

This shroom reminded me of the shape of my morning glories. Doesn’t it have that trumpet shape to it?

Again……. HUGE!

These little red ones were so cute! And I didn’t even notice the cool spider web in the background.

And for those folks that think we’ve come out of our drought….. I’d like to post exhibit A. This used to have running water about as high as that branch there.

I’m sorry for those family members who have slow computer collections. I know you don’t like it when I put so many pictures on my posts. But I just couldn’t decide on which photos to eliminate. So I kept them all.

It was a great “yes” day. Maybe we’ll do it again. And hopefully, GB’s mood will be much better the next time we sit down with our curriculum. I really want my easy-going guy back.

Today our homeschooling group went to a gem mine near our area. We spent about 5 hours there having a great time digging around in the dirt and rocks. You won’t see GB in the group shot….. he was hiding in the back……. Isn’t it awful to have a mom who loves to document everything, and be a kid who is camera shy? I had to bribe him to get the following picture. I like the danger sign in the background…….. Cool, huh?

It’s kind of funny, because everytime we found something good, it was when we were rinsing the rocks in the sluice. When you are digging, it all looks like regular rocks. But then you rinse it and it turns out special.

GB really liked the green amozonite a lot. Of course, green is his favorite color. And this was a HUGE mine for amozonite.

This is mica……… we found tons of this. The little flakes were everywhere…..all sparkley and shiny.

This pretty little garnet shows up best in the light, but my shot doesn’t do it justice. You get the gist of it, though.

And these gorgeous amethysts were a big surprise when we started rinsing them off. We had no idea we had something so cool.

I have been in ‘Missing-Aquagirl-Crisis-Mode‘ for several weeks now. So yesterday we went up to Harrisonburg to pick her up from her college and have a nice day together. Good Lord, I missed that girl! I believe the school year is MUCH too long. And I want to start a protest. You hear me, Aquagirl!

Since GB was coming too, we decided to finally head to the Virginia Safari Park, where animals abound within arms reach. Basically you sit in your car and drive along the gravel rode on a long, bumpy path and feed whichever animals meander over for some munchies.

This is a Gemsbok Oryx with my dh.

**snort - snort!** This is a Vietnamese Pot-bellied pig

Isn’t this a gorgeous Eland?

This is a Rhea, these strange looking birds are the 4th biggest flightless birds. Cool fact: A single male rhea can incubate up to 50 eggs!

Speckled llama - Don’t make these guys mad or they spit this foul-smelling liquid at you! Aquagirl can attest to their very bad breath!

This dromedary camel was really enjoying GB’s attention. He even went so far as to give his hair a lick!

Swamp water buffalo

“Yes?? I already fed you!”

The ostrich was freaking Aquagirl out. She thought they totally looked prehistoric. I sure wouldn’t want to get one mad. Btw, these are the largest flightless birds. Ostrich are also the only birds with two toes.

Another Eland - These guys get so excited sometimes that they jump over each other to get away!

Have you ever heard of the phrase: “giving me the hairy eyeball”? Yeah, that’s what I was feeling!

Zebra, up close and very personal! Interesting tidbit - Zebras take turns sleeping so that some member of their herd is always awake. Isn’t that amazing?

GB went to any length to reach the animals. Big rule #1: Stay in the car. He barely obeyed this rule.

Axis Deer - This was one of Aquagirl’s favorites. She thought he was one of the most beautiful deer she’d ever seen.

This is a view of the Natural Bridge scenery from inside the park. Isn’t it pretty?

Stunning white llama

Lady Amherst’s Pheasant

This amazing little guy is a Leptailurus Serval.

I love monkeys! I love the way they move. So cute! Can you see the tiny baby attached to the monkey on the right? His arms were wrapped tight around his mama.

Another cute attraction at the park!

This majestic dude is called a King Vulture. Wow!

These cute little tiger cubs are seven months old. They were really fun to watch!

Now I’ll have to get my Jabem fix in…………. Jabem, when are you coming home!? {–whine, whine!–}

Is it almost Summer?