Kaylee's Homeschool Adventures: January 2015

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Our first camping trips

This summer we decided to get a pop up camper. It gives us some freedom to travel and not worry about the expense of a hotel room. We bought a used pop up that needed some work. It ended up needing more work that we had anticipated, of course.

On our first camping trip we decided to travel a short distance. We stayed at a campground on Lake Anna. It was only a 30-40 minute drive from home. We figured that if it didn't work out then, we could just pack up and go home. There were a few issues, but we worked through them. I believe camping in a pop up is a learn as you go kind of thing.

Breakfast our first morning of camping.

I made the waffles at home before we left and just popped them in the toaster that morning.

Reading the comics by the campfire.

Kaylee really enjoyed our first trip with our pop up!

A few weeks later, it was our 15th wedding anniversary and we wanted to take the camper to Virginia Beach. I was a bit nervous driving 2-3 hours pulling the camper on the highway and being so far from home. It ended up being a great family trip. The only challenge we had was that it was raining when we had to fold up the camper and head home. Not a big deal, but it was a muddy wet job. We had to open up the camper and air it out for days.

Kaylee helping to set up the lights under the canopy of the camper.

Our first morning at the Virginia Beach campground.

It's been a but stressful preparing the pop up camper for camping and driving while pulling it, but it is worth it. We now have a cheaper alternative for traveling and taking family vacations. We all enjoy travelling and we can't wait until it is warm enough to go camping again.

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Christmas Break 2014

We had a busy and fun Christmas time. Tomorrow, we go back to official homeschooling and regular life. The decorations have been put away. The house has been put back in order. This time of year I always feel conflicted. I am sad that the Christmas season has passed, but I'm happy to be back to the regular routine again. Here are the highlights from our Christmas.

One of the first things we did to celebrate the Christmas season was go to Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. We got a great deal from Busch Gardens. We got tickets for $12 each. They were only to be used on certain dates, but we made it work. Kaylee and I actually went twice. We went once as a family and then we went with friends.

Kaylee posing in front of a Christmas tree. The weather was pleasant the day we went as a family.

We went to see the penguins.

Kaylee and Frosty.

One day during the week, we went to the mall to see Santa. Kaylee had a Christmas list to share with Santa.

Kaylee with Santa. Her doll Kirsten that she got for Christmas last year also went to see Santa.

Our homeschool group offered discounts to Great Wolf Lodge for certain days in December. We took advantage of those and spent two nights at Great Wolf Lodge. It is a resort and indoor water park.

Kaylee at Great Wolf Lodge.

We attended the homeschool Christmas party at the bowling alley.

Kaylee loves to bowl with her friends!

At the Christmas party, we paid extra to go to the mobile gem mining lab.

There were also discounted tickets to the ICE! show at the Gaylord Hotel in the new National Harbor right outside of Washington DC. We really enjoyed this event. I underestimated how cold it was going to be. It was 9 degrees. They gave us parkas to wear over our regular coats. Brrr.

I found that the best way to enjoy this show was to step outside and warm up, then go back in again. As far as I know, you can do this as many times as you would like. Those hand warmer packets helped, too. We enjoyed the Frosty the Snowman theme. Our favorite part was sliding on the ice slide.