Kids Day at THE AG: Framers Who Were Farmers Constitution Day
The girls earned their Jr. Historian Badges for Framers Who Were Farmers – U.S. Constitution Event
On September 17th every year we celebrate Constitution Day! Back on September 17, 1787 a total of 42 of the 55 delegates held their final meeting at the Constitutional Convention. It was the day they signed the Constitution of the United States of America!
Shortly after Constitution Day we attended an event at the Bart Garrison Agricultural Museum. The event was called Kids Day at THE AG: Framers Who Were Farmers. It was for students in 4th to 7th grades. They had activities, role playing, field work, and discussions pertaining to the U. S. Constitution. They covered information such as:
- The Preamble
- Separation of Powers
- History, Framers, and Impact of the U.S. Constitution
- Declaration of Independence
- Articles of Confederation
- Bill of Rights
Staff dressed up as James Madison. Discussion on the U.S. Constitution.
The Founding Fathers used scientific inventions and various forms of farming techniques. Some of the men who signed the Constitution were farmers, a few of them were:
- George Washington
- James Madison
- Charles Pinckney
- Charles Cotesworth Pinckney
- Thomas Jefferson
- Benjamin Franklin
There were several things the farmers experienced such as depletion of soil nutrients, purchasing local produce and crops, local insects, trees, vegetation, and being self-supportive farms.
Some of the activities the kids did at the event were discussing the Constitution. Designing a poster. Experimenting with soil and the nutrients in it. Planting some seeds and recording their findings. The kids received a Jr. Historian Pin and a U.S. Constitution pocket guide. The girls had a lot of fun learning about the U.S. Constitution, activities, and experiments.
Timeline include French & Indian War, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, American Revolution, Constitutional Conventional, Bill of Rights, and more!
Brina’s poster!
The poster Karlie made at the event!
What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
There is a lot going on this week. I am hoping to keep the dinner menu simple and easy. Also, there are a couple meals this week I want to duplicate so we can stock up the freezer for those nights in the future when we will not be able to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. I call it my “make 1 – freeze 1” meals. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Seafood Entree): Roast, Mash Potatoes
- Tuesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Pizza, Salad (Make 1 Pizza Dough & Freeze 1)
- Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Chicken Pot Pie, Fresh Fruit (Make 1 Chicken Pot Pie & Freeze 1)
- Thursday (Pasta or Pork Entree): Pork Chops, Steamed Vegetables
- Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting
I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef or seafood entree and so forth). It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned. I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.
Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family. On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home. As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes. If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).
As a family of four our life can get busy. What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget. Our family typically eats 6 to 7 dinner meals at home a week. We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat. Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family. Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day. Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends. The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety. We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.
Photo by Liz
Greenville: Exploring the Children’s Museum of the Upstate
Karlie and Brina climbing the rock wall at the Children’s Museum of the Upstate!
We had some great opportunities to travel over the girls summer break so we didn’t get to do some of the fun activities in our local area. Whenever we had a chance we would look over our list of fun local activities and pick one to do together. The girls recently chose going to the Children’s Museum of the Upstate as one of their activities. The Upstate Children’s Museum is located in downtown Greenville and has many fun interactive activities for the kids. We had a great morning exploring and learning at the Children’s Museum. Thankful for such an awesome museum for kids in our area.
When you put your hands on the spots the drum mimics your heartbeat. Pretty cool! Two people can do it at the same time and hear the differences in their heartbeats.
They are smiling a lot for being on crutches! Hopefully we will avoid having family members on crutches.
Karlie pulling herself up!
Brina smiling as she pulls herself up. Testing the different ropes and pulleys.
Karlie at the bank getting some cash for her groceries.
That’s a lot of wind!
Construction crew making bricks!
Brina bringing over a wheelbarrow of bricks!
Karlie’s proud of her creation!
Making a cool structure!
Relaxing in the camping area!
The Light Waves Ahead display is always a fun one to use your creativity on too!
Fun times with the girls at the Children’s Museum!
Driving the recycling truck! Watch out!
Brina in a water bubble!
Karlie having a blast in the music room!
Brina loves hanging out at the Children’s Museum!
Going through the cool jungle gym area at the museum!
Longan Dragon’s Eye Exotic Fruit
Longan Dragon’s Eye Exotic Fruit sliced open and ready to be peeled.
Jake brought home a Longan Dragon’s Eye Exotic Fruit for us to try. One of his co-workers brought the fruit to work. It is an Asian fruit. The outside has a light brown skin that feels like leather. The white inside fruit tasted like a sweet grape. There is a dark black seed in the center. The white fruit and black seed are what gives it the “Dragon’s Eye” nickname! The girls thought it was great! It’s suppose to be really healthy for you too!
Peeling the Dragon’s Eye
The Dragon’s Eye fruit and the skin!
Here’s the dragons eye, ready to be eaten!
The seed!
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
I am hoping to get through a bunch of the tasks this week! There is a lot going on around here the next few weeks, but if I remain consistent I will still be able to get a lot accomplish. Looking forward to getting some items done.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Read The Adventures of Robinhood by Howard Pyleto the kids – finished reading it and Brina has picked out our next chapter book to read togetherPlan one special activity with the family- Play a board or card game – we did not get our game in this week due to a lot of other activities that fell on the evenings and weekend
Prepare for Upcoming Fall EventsSpend time Monday – Friday helping the girls with HomeworkPrep for a big weekend- Ride Bikes with the kids – our week filled up too quickly we didn’t get to riding bikes
Go for a Walk with the Kids– on the nice non-rainy days this past week would went outside and walked while reviewing for their upcoming Science and Social Studies tests at school
Personal Goals
Drink 8 glasses of water each dayContinue my YouVersion plan(s)
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – it was spread out over a couple days due to my husband having last minute work travel
Pay all upcoming billsWeekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attentionWork completed for clients
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch – had to reschedule due to other conflicts
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car – working on it
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – made another payment this past week
Pay medical bills in full– finished paying off one of the big medical bills that we had been working on in awhile! WooHoo!
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read A Horse Called Wonder by Joanna Campbell (Book #1 of the Thoroughbred Series) to the kids
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Prepare for Upcoming Fall Events & Trips
- Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
- Attend After School Activities
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Ride Bikes with the kids
- Go for a Walk with the Kids
- Attend School Board Meeting
- Give Jake a haircut
- Make Toffee per girls requests
- Cook up Ground Hamburger and Freeze for future meals
- Make and freeze Spinach Cubes for Smoothies
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Exercise at least 5 times this week
- Pedicure – my toenails could use a fresh coat of polish
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Freezer Meals Prepped for future meals
- Clean out & Organize Refrigerator / Freezer
- Clean House including all 3 bathrooms, dusting, floors, and bedrooms
- Put Fall/Winter Clothes in Closets and dressers and put Spring/Summer Clothes in the Attic
- Refill kids vitamin container
- Refill Baggie Drawer and Lunch Box Container
- Pool taken down and put away
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Work completed for clients
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – we recently had to buy a new microwave and refrigerator
- Pay October Bills
- Recent Receipts Basket Cleaned Out, Organized, & Receipts Filed
- File Paperwork
- Earn some Creative Cash
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
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.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
Watching the Total Lunar Eclipse – Blood Moon
Watching the Total Lunar Eclipse – Blood Moon
Earlier this week on Wednesday, October 8th we had a Total Lunar Eclipse – Blood Moon. Since we have one child who really wanted to see the Eclipse I got up at 4 am in to check the weather, scope out a good location to set up the telescope, and check on the eclipse. I woke the girls up a few minutes before 6 am. We were able to watch the final few stages of the Total Lunar Eclipse that we could see from South Carolina. The girls were very excited to watch it through the monocular and telescope. It was neat to see the eclipse. The weather was foggy during the eclipse in our area so it was difficult to see the Blood Moon, but they were thrilled with what they could see.
What is a Total Lunar Eclipse? A total lunar eclipse happens when the Moon passes through the Earth’s shadow.
What is a Blood Moon? When the total lunar eclipse causes the moon to turn a red, orange, and brown color from the glow and reflection of all the sunrises from the Earth’s surface it is considered a Blood Moon.
Karlie looking through the telescope!
Brina looking through the monocular at the Total Lunar Eclipse!
The sunrise after the Total Lunar Eclipse – Blood Moon! For more information on the Total Lunar Eclipse – Blood Moon check out Space.com
STEM Club & Lego Robotics
Adorable Robot snack for the STEM Club Celebration!
The girls applied for the STEM Club and were accepted! Congratulations GIRLS!!! They took a lot of time filling out their applications and waited patiently to hear the news. Their hard work paid off. They are so EXCITED! We have started another year of STEM Club and Lego Robotics.
Mrs. Johnson, one of the teachers that helps with STEM Club made super cute robot snacks for all the kids to enjoy during the STEM Club Celebration. The robot was a juice box with four starbursts on the bottom for feet, two airheads for arms, two nuggets for head, and googly eyes. The kids thought they were awesome. So thoughtful and creative!
They are already working hard at STEM Club. There is a lot work ahead of them before the robotics competition in January, but they are off to a good start. Thankful for this opportunity for them to learn. In order for them to remain in STEM Club they had to sign a “contract” saying they would attend meetings (if they miss more than three they will be asked to leave), keep up their grades, and more.
WooHoo! They got into STEM Club! Here is part of their acceptance letters!
Karlie enjoying her robot snack!
Brina having fun at the STEM Club Celebration!
Pampers Gifts to Grow – 10 Free Points
You can receive another 10 free points from Pampers with a new Gifts to Grow code!
This code is different from the previous codes I have given.
- Use Code: FB893KCNKL88914
(Expires 10/13/14)
You can save up the rewards to purchase gifts! For more information about the Pampers Gift to Grow Program and how you can start earning Pampers “Gifts to Grow” Rewards for your family go to Pampers Gifts to Grow!
Loud Explosion Followed By A Big Mess!
The top of the tree exploded when it was hit by lightening!
We were awaken in the middle of the night with a very loud boom that shook the whole house! It was a rainy night. After looking around the house and yard we noticed the jungle gym looked like it was covered by a tree. We soon found out the tree was struck by lightening and the top exploded sending branches, sticks, leaves, and tree pieces in all directions. We found pieces over a hundred feet away from the actual tree. Thankfully the tree and debris did not hit the house. It did break a section of our fence, took out the kids slide, punched a hole in the jungle gym roof, fried our printer inside, and the fence for the animals.
Jungle gym covered with branches!
Leaves, branches, and debris all over the yard!
The slide did not make it!
What a mess! Well guess we know what we’ll be doing today! Thankfully it didn’t hit the house! The kids were a HUGE help and we got most of it cleaned up in one day!
Family Time in Downtown Charleston
Riding the trolley with the girls in Downtown Charleston.
Charleston is a great town to explore a variety of history. One of the neat perks of Charleston is you can park you car somewhere (if you can find parking) and ride the free trolley around the town. When it is just the girls and I we usually park in the parking garage near the Charleston Visitors Center and grab the trolley right there so it is easy to get around town. The trolley takes you right near almost all the historical places so you only have to walk a few blocks here and there. The trolley’s come by every 10 to 15 minutes so you rarely have to wait very long. Just look for the bus stops or trolley signs to catch a nearby trolley ride.
We met up with Jake and ate at the Noisy Oyster in downtown Charleston. Pictured above is what I had for dinner the Noisy Oyster’s Grilled Salmon BLT sandwich. It was delicious!
Brina all smiles as Karlie checks out the traffic downtown Charleston. The horse carriages always tend to get her attention.
We took a walk through downtown Charleston after dinner. The interactive water fountain in Waterfront Park is always a hit with the kids.
Hanging out by the fountain and “trying” to not too wet!
Walking through Waterfront Park in Charleston.
Hanging out with Daddy near the Pineapple Water Fountain in downtown Charleston!
Well, “Hello Friend” found this little guy scurrying across the path in front of me on our walk.
When we walked down the Waterfront Pier we noticed that the dolphins were out swimming in the harbor. It was getting dark by this time, but it was beautiful watching them glide through the water in front of us.
Jake and his girls at the pier watching the dolphins swim.
Hanging out with my girls in Charleston!
Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and Patriots Point all lit up at night across the harbor.
A relaxing evening swinging on the pier swings!
Wrapping up a fun and busy day in Charleston! Time to walk back to the car! Charleston is a great town to walk through at night with all the things to see, do, and it is usually bustling with people, horse carriages, bike tours, and more.
