Kids
Travel & Vacation: Charleston History & Sites to See (part 2)
Checking out a more modern one….some serious discussions are taking place.
This post is in addition from our post earlier today on Travel & Vacation: Charleston History & Sites to See. At least one night every time we go with Jake to Charleston we spend some time in walking through Battery Park looking at all the monuments, reading them and talking about history. You would think by now the girls have this park memorized and would be tired of it, but they request to go here every time we are in the Charleston area. The pictures of Battery Park are a little darker because we went at night. Plus you’ll see some other great items to look out for on your road trip to Charleston (at least if you are heading to Charleston from the same direction we go).
The girls always request a trip to battery park when we are in Charleston
A large monument in Battery Park, the girls want us to read the monument then they have fun seeing how many different states they can find etched on the stones.
Exploring the cannons at Battery Park
This tree’s looking a little spooky at night in battery park. Still haven’t figured out the meaning behind the white feathers from an earlier trip Travel & Vacation: Fun in Charleston. If you know the reason I would love to find out!
Mommy and girls in the giant gazebo at Battery Park
Karlie especially gets excited when we pass the “rocket” because she loves rockets. Brina gets excited because she knows that we are almost to Daniel’s Island! 🙂
Another favorite sight on our trip to and from Charleston! The girls always love seeing the USA Flag and on the other side of the road is a huge smiley face!
While Battery Park is one of the kids favorite places to visit it is only one of the many great historical sites to see while in Charleston. You can take a tour of Fort Sumter or Fort Moultrie or take a ride on a horse drawn carriage through Charleston as they share history and facts with you or many more wonderful activities. Battery Park is an easy one because it is free (as long as you can find parking). What are some other great historical or fun places to visit in the Charleston area?
The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax. Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away. Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories. It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine. Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn. You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!
Travel & Vacation: Charleston History & Sites to See
Karlie and Brina standing at the pier with Patriots Point and USS Yorktown in the background.
Brina and Karlie love going to Charleston with us. One of their favorite things to do in Charleston is to explore and learn tidbits of history. Charleston has a lot of history so it has provided many opportunities for us to learn and appreciate our country’s history. We always visit Waterfront Park in Mount Pleasant whenever we go to Charleston. Near the pier is an area with a fountain, monuments, and plaques honoring our military. You can also see the USS Yorktown from that area too (see picture above). There are other areas in Mount Pleasant, Daniel’s Island and Charleston with a lot of history as well. Here is a few we enjoy visiting when we are in the area.
A sign near the monument
Monument….”on behalf of a grateful nation”
Department of Army (1775) monument
Throwing their coins into the fountain.
United States Coast Guard (1790)
South Carolina state flag flying in the wind next to the monuments
United States Air Force
Fountain near waterfront park
Department of the Navy – United State of America
This one is on Daniel’s Island and says “By 1680, Charleston had moved to its present location and was growing rapidly. It attracted French Huguenots and others drawn by the promise of religious tolerance and available land.”
Department of Navy – United States Marine Corps
In Peace and War – United States Merchant Marine (1775)
The neat part about reading these monuments with the girls is that it gives us an opportunity to discuss our country, its history, and show appreciation for the men and women who have served and those who are currently serving. We have many amazing blessings living in the United States. No country is perfect, but we have a lot of great things to celebrate in our history.
The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax. Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away. Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories. It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine. Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn. You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
I was able to tackle some of my goals for last week. Although it was busy and a few extra activities were added to my list I made some head way. Hopefully this week I will be able to tackle more items on my list!
Last week’s goals:
Family Goals
Read to the girls and have them read to me dailyLunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforeDaily School Activities & Homework CompletedAttend After School Activities- Plan one special Activity with the Family – we took some time to rest & recharge as a family
Go on a Field Trip with the Girls Classes– we went Hartwell Dam and a Sailboat Educational Field Trip
Personal Goals
Exercise at least 5 days this weekDrink 8 glasses of water each day- Finish reading Impact Equation by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith (I got a pre-release copy to read) – didn’t have as much time to read this week
- Finish reading The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith – wasn’t able to finish it
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekStart tackling my Fall Organizational Schedule– got a little bit done this past weekPay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attentionGet caught up on 5 blog items- Complete the Website Blog Update – working out the last few glitches, so thankful for all my husbands hard work on the website! 🙂
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or LunchWrite and Send Out Community Group Email- Work out the details of our Community Group Camping Adventure – made a few calls last week
- A Friend Challenged me to read / listen through the entire Bible – since I am already through the majority of the year I am working on a plan where you can read through the Bible in 90 days by YouVersion – been faithful to listen to my chapters everyday
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4 – stayed within budget this week
- Payoff the Van – putting any extra money towards paying it off
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses (we are trying to build this back up because we had to take some out for unexpected expenses recently.) – working on it
My goals for the upcoming week:
Family Goals
- Read to the girls and have them read to me daily
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
- Attend After School Activities
- Plan one special Activity with the Family
- Go on a Field Trip with the Girls Classes
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Finish reading Impact Equation by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith (I got a pre-release copy to read)
- Finish reading The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Start tackling my Fall Organizational Schedule
- Pay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Get caught up on 5 blog items
- Complete the Website Blog Update
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Write and Send Out Community Group Email
- Work out the details of our Community Group Camping Adventure
- A Friend Challenged me to read through my Bible – since I am already through the majority of the year I am working on a plan where you can read through the Bible in 90 days by YouVersion
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
- Payoff the Van
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses (we are trying to build this back up because we had to take some out for unexpected expenses recently.)
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Game: “Carcassonne” by Rio Grande Games
Our family loves playing games! Whether it is a card, board or video game we always look forward to having a chance to sit down with family and friends. Carcassonne by Rio Grande Games is a fun board game that we enjoy playing. We found this board game after spending a lot of time playing Settlers of Catan, it looked similar so we decided to try it out.
Carcassonne is based on the famous French city of Carcassonne that is well known for its roman and medieval fortifications. The game is for between 2 to 5 players ages 8 and up. Each player gets a tile on his turn and can lay it down to build roads, cities, and more. The tiles are chosen at random, however, the player can choose where to place the tile and what to play on it. The game is fascinating for younger kids to watch too because it starts with 1 piece and grows bigger as people build the cities and surrounding areas until everything is linked together like one big interactive puzzle.
If you are a fan of Settlers of Catan or another similar game I highly recommend that you check out Carcassonne for your next game night or get it as a gift for the game lover on your list.
Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals
Karlie’s lunch is packed and ready to go
The girls and I try to clean out their lunches after school and homework so we can re-pack them for the next day. It is easier for our family make the lunches the night before and stick the whole lunch bag into the fridge. The mornings tend move quickly and I want them to go as smoothly as possible for everyone.
I am really excited about the girls new lunch bags from Thirty-One! They are spacious and easy to clean. The girls were SUPER EXCITED to get them! A big thanks to Jennifer Kauffman for helping me get these bags ordered and monogrammed! If you are looking for a monogrammed bag for yourself, a child, or to give as a gift Jennifer would be happy to help you.
What’s for lunch today?
Lunch Box Meal:
- Beef Stew & Jasmine Rice
- Fresh Banana Bread
- Apple Peel Confetti Crisps
- Pickles & Dip
- Batman Fruit Snacks
- Strawberry & Lemon Circle Crisps
- Spiderman Cheez Its or Grahams Bug Bites
- Peach Yogurt or Sugar Free Strawberry Jello
- Oyster Crackers
- Jelly Beans
- Fruit Punch Juice
Beef Stew, pickles & dip, homemade banana bread and more!
It has been better for our family to send our girls lunches to school. Before sending lunches a lot of afternoons the girls would come home from school starving. When I asked them what they ate for lunch they could never remember. I like knowing what they are eating and I make sure to pack enough so they can have a snack after school too since we go to after school activities every day. If they finish everything in their lunches then they can get something else to eat once we are home.
Brina’s lunch is packed and ready!
Exploring Roper Mountain Science Center
Getting ready to watch the show at the Roper Mountain Science Center
The first time I took a tour of Roper Mountain Science Center was with the girls class earlier this year. It was a blast watching a space presentation, going on a nature trail, seeing the wildlife, having a picnic and more. The girls had so much fun. I always knew that Roper Mountain Science Center had some activities for the kids but until I went with the girls I had no idea how much!
Karlie entertained by the show, anything to do with space is always a hit with her!
Brina having a fun time! I got to sit next to Brina for the show.
What are they looking at? Don’t fall in the water!
Red Eared Slider Turtles (of course)! The girls were super excited to see the turtles, these are the same kind as Shipwreck and Overboard!
Beautiful flower garden and butterflies near the butterfly crossing.
The girls had a lot of fun exploring Roper Mountain Science Center and learning a lot of great stuff. Roper Mountain has since become one of the girls favorite places to visit. We try to go every month or two. It is a great learning environment if you have kids.
Travel & Vacation: Charleston Food, Lodging, & Fun (Part 2)
Jake, Karlie, and Brina shivering in front of the pineapple fountain downtown Charleston.
The girls REALLY wanted to see the fountain that we had been reading about in our book Very Charleston, however, the day we choose to check it out it was freezing. This was by far our coldest day in Charleston, earlier in the week it was in the 90’s and now it is 40 degrees outside. The kids were freezing because I didn’t bring jackets but thankfully it was our last day in town.
Brina snacking on Green Apple Rock Candy as we head to our next stop
Karlie munching on her Root Beer Rock candy
Next to the Chic-Fil-A in Mt Pleasant is a little pond with a fountain and……..
TURTLES!!!! The girls love watching turtles!
The girls were so excited when we parked next to the Charleston Creamery “Herby” that they insisted I take a picture! Oh how they love their ice cream and this store!
Charleston Creamery – a place the girls always request to visit when we are in the area!
Ice cream made by a robot is always more fun to eat!
Are you getting full yet Brina?!
The girls had their own bedroom and TV. It was pouring outside so we gave the kids a bath and let them watch TV for 30 minutes before going to bed.
Another great trip to Charleston with the family! The girls had a blast. It was very warm the first half of the week but by the time we left it was in the 40s. Thankfully we did a bunch of our outdoor activities and swimming the first part of the week so when it got cold we found other things to occupy our time. Jake got a lot of work done while we were in Charleston as well as created more great memories with the family.
The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax. Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away. Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories. It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine. Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn. You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!
Travel & Vacation: Charleston Food, Lodging, & Fun
Spending some time in the hotel room. Karlie is lounging as she listens to me read.
The girls are always excited when we go to Charleston! They have a blast spending time relaxing and exploring. We typically go to many of the same places but always try to squeeze in a few new adventures as well. The kids make the trips more fun. These pictures are from a trip earlier this year. We stayed at the Marriott Hotel in Mount Pleasant. It was a little further from Jake’s work so we had to drop him off in the mornings but it was located near a lot of fun activities. We tried out some new restaurants this time too.
Brina’s turn to read a book to us
We ate downtown Charleston so we would have plenty of time to walk through the market and go to Battery Park. Brina and Karlie enjoying their BBQ wings
Messy….messy…..messy….BB (I think she’ll need a bath tonight)
Karlie licking her lips after finishing my homemade & delicious she crap soup
Karlie and Brina sitting next to the moon in the “Moon Pie” store in downtown Charleston.
Jake & I had our own bedroom in the hotel room. It was the last available room in the hotel and it was a huge 2 bedroom suite (with a doorbell). This was our first time staying at the Marriott in Mount Pleasant and it was awesome!
Our kitchen in the hotel room, loved having all the counter top space.
Goofy Karlie…..she must be the “cream” in the chair!
Wonder where Brina could be? Oh yes, in between the cushions!
Dress Code sign outside a store in downtown Charleston. Made me laugh! 🙂 Some are listed twice. My three favorite ones are:
“Bottom of Shirt Can’t Be Past Wrist”
“No Gold Teeth”
“Doorman has final say”
Jake picked up ice cream sandwiches for the girls. We had a fridge but no freezer so they were a little softer than normal. Karlie eating the one of the last melting ice cream sandwiches
Brina getting the last little bit from her wrapper
I am thankful for the many opportunities to create special memories with my family. The girls are wonderful travelers and love to explore new areas so it is always fun having a few days to relax and check out an area. When we go to Charleston we typically stay either on Daniel’s Island or in Mount Pleasant so we have found a few fun things to do.
The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax. Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away. Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories. It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine. Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn. You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!
Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals
Brina & Karlie’s Lunch Bags are ready to go!
Today I have a picture of the girls packed lunch bags. These are the ones they used last year so they will look familiar to some of you. Our friends gave the girls these lunch bags for their birthday a couple years ago and we have gotten a lot of great use out of them. The girls love having their names on their individual bags and I like that when they lose the bag at school, bus, or some other random place we always get them back. There are not a lot of “Brina” and “Karlie’s” at their school so it makes it easy to identify whose bag it is.
What’s for lunch today?
The bags are showing some wear after much use but still have plenty of life left in them so we are using them some again this year. This year I am trying to rotate through the different lunch bags to keep them from getting too moist or smelly. Giving them a break helps them dry out, air out, and will help them last a little longer (hopefully) too.
Lunch Box Meal:
- Tuna Fish Sandwich
- Fresh Watermelon
- Fresh Yellow Pear Tomatoes (from our garden)
- Mott’s Plus Mixed Berry Applesauce
- Strawberry Yogurt
- Quaker Blueberry Stila or Animal Crackers
- Cinnamon Teddy Grahams
- Strawberry Fruit Stick
- Mrs. Fields Chocolate Chip Cookie or Chocolate & Vanilla Oreos
- Cubed Beef Jerky Stick (in the container)
- Berry Blast Fruit Drink
Watermelon, yogurt, tuna sandwich and more good stuff to eat!
The girls are excited about rotating through their lunch bags because it adds a little extra variety. They get excited to see what’s in their lunch that day. With the lunch bags sometimes I pack a note too or write on their sandwich container or something else as a special surprise for them that day. Whatever they don’t have time to eat at lunch they can eat it as a snack during class or as an after school snack.
Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals
Chalkboard notes in the girls lunch boxes!
Today the girls chalkboard notes say “Have a super fun day! Love You!’ (Karlie’s) and “Have a wonderful day! Love You!” (Brina’s). Every day that they take these lunch boxes to school I make a point to write a note or draw a picture. The notes and pictures are sometimes exactly the same and other days they are similar. These little notes and drawings are seriously one of the biggest highlights during their school day and a great way to remind them that we love them!
Pistachios, fruit and other good treats
Lunch Box Meal:
- Almond Butter Sandwich or Pepperoni Pizza
- Fresh White Peaches
- Fresh Carrots
- Fit & Active All Natural Blueberry Fruit Strip
- Animal Crackers or Chocolate Chip Teddy Grahams
- Blueberry Yogurt Stick or Pistachios
- Capri Sun Sunrise Tropical Juice
Ready to be packed into the lunch box!
The girls lunches last year were exactly the same for the most part except the occasionally different flavor of yogurt or juice. This year I have one that is restricted with eggs, peanuts, and diary so I have had to change it up a little bit. The girls still get a variety of items just not necessarily the exact ones due to the diet restrictions.
