Cruisin' with the Dolphins

Thanks to Groupon we tried something a bit different this visit. 

A dolphin adventure with beverages included

 lots of fun with Baba

spotted a family of dolphins

 and fed seagulls off the bough of the boat

good times!

A cold day at the beach...

...is better than a day without the beach!

See the wind surfer in the back. 

Perfect conditions for him, we was doing all kinds of tricks out there and was very cool to watch!

Look at the wind surfer behind the littles, he was really jumping high.

Geoff wants me to cut Gavin's hair short, but really isn't this the best beach hair!!

Fla bound for Spring Break

We found a big cow at one of our potty breaks and the littles tried boiled peanuts. I love those things why have I not given my littles a taste of Southern culture?!?

 Spike went on his first road trip. He LOVES the vegetation in Fl.

 Digging holes. 

I think if we ever visited another beach we would have to pack a real shovel. We have gotten spoiled.

Camille offering some sand. Any takers?

A kayaking trip from the causeway to Caladesi Island.

Caladesi is a beautiful natural island. The only motorized vehicle allowed is the ferry, they give you a 3 hour ticket then a return ride...unless you travel by your own means then you can explore as long as you like! Even the air space is protected as a bird sanctuary. The birds take full advantage of that!!

 Another day at the beach.

Relaxing after watching us paddle board.

Farmer Day at Preschool

no turtle in the pocket today, for farm day his mouse rode in his pocket.

Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

 Group shot

 with bunny ears

 go Camille go

Hyde Farm Field trip

I went on another interesting field trip with Aiden's class to Hyde Farm, which is 95 Acres of farmland perserved in the middle of the hustle and bussle of the suburbs. A working farm in the early 1900's, the county is attempting to restore the structures but funding isn't available yet so it continues to deteriorate.

They have braces holding some of the buildings up, it is a shame that they continue to fall apart waiting for the funding to come through. 

 There is a working water well

 She called up two volunteers to drop the bucket and pull up water, guess who was chosen

...Aiden and Grace Ellen

 The kids got to feel the water that came out of the ground and were surprised at how cool it was.

The Powers family first owned this land, after foreclosure the Hyde family took possession. They had both lived here together at one point. There was more to the story but I have forgotten the details. 

I did find that the farm started in 1840's and the Hydes acquired it in the 1920's, and owned it til 2004. 

They were not wealthy but resourceful and used what they had to make repairs and keep their farm going. I would be quite nervous to know my house was supported by a stack of rocks!

 The original cabin was on the left, made from trees that grew on their land.

 The wallpaper in the cabin was newspaper. 

One of the children found a little piece on the ground and it was like finding a hidden treasure.

 In later years a bathroom was added on. The outhouse wasn't feasible as Mr. Hyde aged. 

 The kids were shown (and got to try) washing clothes with a wash board...

 ...then hung them on the line to dry.

 Then tried their hand at plowing with a manual plow! Not easy in Georgia red clay.

another fun filled day of learning and adventure.

Another story I wished I remembered was why the building behind looked burned. I think I recall her saying it was for storing food for the winter. 

Gavin's Leprechaun Trap

Let's see if we catch one this year...