Melissa's Idea Garden

Today, families from my homeschool group went on a field trip to the Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg. My kids and I have visited this site many times and learned a lot at the variety of tours we have signed up for. Today we were very excited about the opportunity to picnic in the autumn weather, swing on the swing that hangs from the pecan tree and learn more about the cemetery.

In years past, we have learned about composting, pond life, the railroad station, the pestilence house, bats, tombstone rubbings, the Confederate Cemetery, and some of the historical markers. Today we were supposed to learn about the trees in the cemetery and some African American history.

The kids and I packed lunches, packed up for the afternoon (the children had group piano lessons after the field trip). It was overcast and cool, but we were expecting the temperatures to reach 55 and for it to be sunny without precipitation.

Continue reading "Old City Cemetery Field Trip" »

Posted by Melissa Markham at 10:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sorry, I have been away, but life is busy with homeschool, home activities, social activities, class, church, fundraisers, field trips and visitors. I think that about covers it!

Let's see...Homeschooling is going pretty well. We have gotten through about 6 chapters of Story of the World. Jack is learning about the Human Genome and Katrina is studying about classifying living and non-living things. We are learning grammar, spelling, and of course, lovely math. Piano is going well and they are getting back in the groove of things after not having practiced as much as they should over the summer.

We are busy doing some odds and ends around the house. As you saw in photos last week. This week, the appliance repair man came. Parts are on order to fix the freezer. The cost of the dryer repairs was almost as much as a new dryer, so we got a new dryer. Our old one had a computer 'board' on it and I wanted to get away from that. It was 14 years old and for the extra 26 dollars we paid for the brand new dryer, I am happy. I also purchased a small outside storage shed (but I can't tell you why just yet). We are also expecting a lot of packages coming in the mail in the near future. But again, can't share about that just yet. All of those calls and ordering and researching take up time.

Continue reading "Hi There...Remember Me?" »

Posted by Melissa Markham at 7:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Today we got up, ready for our first sight-seeing adventure. First order of the day was breakfast. At home, we don't go out for breakfast very often because it just isn't practical. But with a Starbucks and a Panera Bread within a block of the apartment...a special Sunday breakfast was in order. Katrina and I went out to fetch our 'gourmet' breakfast and on the way saw the local residents out walking their children!

I wish I had a better camera so I could have zoomed in better. Maybe for my birthday in July...Anyway, we were very tickled to see the cute goslings and their parents.

Continue reading "Visit To Abraham Lincoln Museum" »

Posted by Melissa Markham at 7:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Daniel was up at 3:30 and I got up about about 4. I woke the kids up shortly before he left at 5, so they could say good-bye to their dad. Then we all went back to bed and I got up after 8. I decided to let Katrina sleep until she got up as I wanted her to be well rested before the concert this afternoon. I got some shipping done and other odds and ends done. Made some turkey salad, did some laundry, and then at 11 a.m. our next door neighbor, Ashley, came by. She was going with us to the concert, since Daniel couldn't go. But she and her mom had been in an accident last night and while they were both okay, she was too stiff and sore to go with us.

We left at 1 and got there around 2:15. It was an easy place to find and a very comfortable and well kept theater (North Theater in Danville, VA). The performers were Emile Pandolfi and James Sibley.

Emile's piano playing was magnificent. I had never heard him before, but I plan to add his CDs to our collection in the future. And he was a humorous fellow too. He would talk between songs and tell jokes with James. If you are looking for a new pianist to add to your collection, I highly recommend visiting Emile's website and listening to some snippets. I promise, you won't be disappointed!

It was great for the children to see and hear someone play who was so gifted at the piano. It gives them something to work towards.

The concert ended shortly before 5. We headed home and got in the door in time to change clothes for Awanas. I found out that the Commander needed extra help as several regulars had things come up, so I went in to volunteer. A busy and fun day!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 8:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We are very lucky to live in an area of the United States rich in history. Now, I know that compared to Europe and Asia and Africa our history is short, but still for this side of the ocean, we do have a fair amount of history in our back yard. The Revolutionary War, the Civil War and all the things in between and after.

So when we go to pick a place to go on a field trip, our problem is not finding something to do, it is choosing what to do. I belong to a homeschool group that has a field trip database. Right now we have about 43 ideas on our list and that is by no means all the possibilities.

Continue reading "Old City Cemetery Field Trip" »

Posted by Melissa Markham at 9:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (1)