Point Pleasant

Today we visited Pt. Pleasant, WV, one of the oldest cities on the Ohio River. It was named by George Washington and he even owned land in the area.

We started our day at The River Musuem. We learned about life on the river and life in the river. The museum focuses on commercial enterprise along the river and also has a new 2400 gallon aquarium featuring fish from the Ohio River. The kids got to drive a tugboat simulator and see many different artifacts.

After the museum, we crossed the street to Tu-Endie-Wei State Park, at the confluence of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers. We had lovely weather for our picnic lunch followed by a tour of the mansion house and a tour, given by a park ranger, of the monuments in the park. The Battle Monument commemorates the Battle of Point Pleasant where Lord Dunmore led the colonials against Chief Cornstalk of the Shawnee Indians. Chief Cornstalk and the united Indian nations were defeated and Chief Cornstalk later became a friend to the soldiers. His remains are interred at the park.

When we finished at the park, we walked along the city's flood wall to see the history of the area depicted through giant murals. The murals are a work in progress and the detail and talent displayed is amazing. I plan to return when the murals are finished. They present a history lesson no book can match!

See more pictures at accheonline and Adventures in the 100 Acre Wood.

Self-Esteem

Matthew was singing his own song today. It goes like this, "I'm the smartest boy. Yes, I'm the smartest boy."

Then he asked me, "Mommy, I'm the smartest boy, aren't I."

To which I replied, "Yes, but who told you that?"

And he said, "Nobody! I just knowed it."

.

School at Home... or Not

We followed last week's post about getting back to the books by spending a week doing everything BUT book work. We had a Labor Day picnic, a fantasy football draft, camping, and three different activities with three different homeschool groups on three different days. Add soccer and football practice to all that and we were barely home!

This week our calendar is blessedly empty during the day. My plan is to make a dent in our textbooks so we won't have to feel guilty when the field trips start. After this week, there is at least one homeschool activity every week for the next five weeks. And we're not even going to every planned event! Whoever said homeschoolers were unsocialized hadn't seen this homeschooler's calendar!

Back To The Books

It's been a busy summer. We've been swimming and hiking and boating and playing and eating lots and lots of popsicles. We've been to the lake, to the zoo, to the amusement park and to (almost) every pool within driving distance. But now the craziness of summer is giving way to the craziness of fall. it's time for co-op and field trips and soccer and football... and schoolwork.

I just ordered the last of the books we need for 3rd, 6th, and 8th grades. We started a few subjects in August. The boys are still excited with the novelty of book work after a summer of no pencils and books. Well, they're mostly still excited. Evan is rebelling at the feel of a pencil in his little 3rd grade fingers. It's amazing that he will take a 25 word spelling test with no complaint but whine and cry for an hour (not exaggerating) about writing a five word sentence.

We were happy with last year's curriculum and have just continued on to the next grade level in all subjects. I've updated the side bar with our current curriculum if anyone is interested.

A Conversation

HIM: What's that beeping?

HER(with amazement): It's the dryer. The clothes are dry.

HIM: Hmmm, I guess it starts folding now.

HER: Yes. Then you'd better stay out of the way as the clothes float their way into our drawers.

Meet Jack

Jack

Jack Jack

Jack Cat

Jackson A. Cat

Jumpin' Jack Cat

He doesn't answer to any of them.

Chaser of String

Chewer of Toes

Climber of Legs

Loved by All... except maybe the dog, but he's coming around

I Know Japan

Go ahead. Ask me anything.