Rocks rock!

The highlight of our spring break last week got us dirty, dusty, muddy, sweaty, and tired.

I've been wanting to go here since I read about it in a homeschooling magazine last year...and finally it was opening weekend at Morefield Gem Mines.

We went with friends, and the kids were bouncing out of their car seats in excitement...and really so were we because we had no idea what to expect. But the GPS put us at a church grave yard. Juan Pablo made a joke about what you'd find digging there, but after driving in circles for a few minutes, we finally stopped and asked a man weedwhacking on the side of the rode. He told us it was just up ahead...but he added, "I think it's closed!"

Nope. I was undeterred. I knew that it was opening weekend so we headed on up the street.

We turned where the man had pointed...onto a gravelly, windy road with stumps of trees, long ago cut down, as far as the eye could see. It was not looking promising, and I was a little nervous about heading through this barren wasteland.

But we finally neared the tree line, and I saw signs of life...lots of parked cars and the excitement was back in an instant.

This was the first thing we saw when we pulled up: old mine cars.

And having just watched some Indiana Jones movies, we were all imagining barreling through the mines in the rickety cars with no brakes.

We started with a picnic at some nice shady tables. You definitely want to bring a picnic if you go...and don't forget the table cloth...it makes picnicking so much better!

Bathroom lines are long so be forewarned...but the display shop shows all the amazing types of gems and rocks you may find, so it's fun to look at while you're waiting.

We finally got our wristbands and headed down to an open field filled with giant holes and people sitting and digging all around.

Isabela went straight for this one, as I imagine every child does when they first arrive.


The mine area is marked. There are real miners there that bring up fresh loads of dirt and rocks twice a day. It's best to go there just after it's dumped to get the best pickin's...but really anything you find will be amazing. And you WILL find lots of things. Bring a bucket.


How about this mica? Mica has long been my favorite rock...and there's so much of it, you'll actually walk by pieces as big as your fist and not pick them up. Diego had fun scrunching it and watching it blow away in sparkly little pieces.


Isabela and Sami were on a mission to collect the biggest rocks they could find. The only rule was 'you carry what you find back to the car'. (Later, they had a 'fancy rock sale' in Sami's neighborhood. Beautiful bagged gems for only $5. Some of the bigger rocks were $100, and 'cool' rocks were $22. I can't believe they had no sales.)


It's a great place for exploring. Lots of old machines and neat signs to look at.


I think Juan Pablo thoroughly enjoyed himself. He was asking the old timers lots of questions and finally found the 'getting place' for gems. He came home with more than 20 garnets, which just happens to be my birthstone. Isn't he sweet.


But the most fun to be had is definitely at the sluice. They have mesh strainers where you can dump your rocks and let the cool water flow over them, turning them into sparkling, shiny treasures.


Really, you could just head straight there without all the digging. People dump the stuff they don't want on the other side and it's full of beautiful rocks.


Diego had a great time...this place is for any age. He did start wandering and whacking the air with that stick in his hand after awhile, which was my cue to get him a snack. A cold drink and some chex mix did the trick.


Did you guys find anything good?


Don't miss this fun treasure hunting opportunity! The mine is open Saturdays until May 26.

a girl and her horse

We live in farm country. (At least, that's what I like to think.)

And there's one farm we drive by on a regular basis. It was kind of run down looking, and as we'd pass it, I always wondered about who lived there and how hard it must be to keep up a farm. But then we noticed that fences were being mended, horses were appearing in the pasture, and jumps were put up in the ring. Then came a huge sign:

LESSONS AVAILABLE. CALL...

So I called.

And over spring break, Isabela had her first real horse riding lesson.

Meet Oh, Daddy. Or just Daddy, for short. Isabela was reminded of all the horse safety rules as she brushed Daddy to get him ready for the lesson.


Mounting can be harder than it looks...there was an instant when I held my breath because I thought she might end up on the ground, but she didn't.


Her trainer was amazing. Her name is Beth and she was kind, reassuring, and knowledgable...and stressed safety above all else. They had a little chat at the fence with another rider...probably trying to help Isabela feel a little more comfortable way up high on that horse.


She learned how to ride when the horse goes a little faster. Later, I mentioned how TaeKwonDo helped her strengthen her muscles to be able to do that and you could have seen the light bulb ding on right above both of our heads when we said, "Horse Riding Stance-Go!" That is the first stance you learn in TaeKwonDo...and now we see how it got its name.


Ha...Daddy even smiled for this picture.


Here she is on a long lead learning to use her legs and the reins to turn the horse.


Then walking back to the barn.


I think a tire swing is mandatory for all farms.


We stuck around for a bit to watch this new horse get used to the others. She had just arrived five minutes before Isabela's lesson and was braying and prancing around.


And what's a farm without a very friendly dog?


I'd love to pass on the contact info if you're local and interested in a lesson (the first one cost twenty five dollars). Just email me.

rediscovering me

I did something I haven't done in at least ten years.

I took a weekend trip all by myself!

And my new favorite mode of transportation...the train. It's fast. It's got BIG seats. It's got great views. And it's even got wi-fi, if you need it. I had downloaded this book to read on the way up...I finished almost 500 pages and didn't even feel sick. Another plus!


And this is the beautiful city of Philadelphia.


And that is my beautiful cousin, Elizabeth....pregnant with her first child, a little girl! I'm so excited for her and know she's going to be one amazing mom.
Elizabeth works at a dance school called The Rock School, and she took me on a tour of their huge studios and great facilities...including a cafeteria that only serves healthy food. What a novel idea...hint, hint elementary schools.


One of the rooms held all of the costumes for the dancers. It smelled EXACTLY like the costumes I wore when I danced with the Richmond Ballet many years ago. I once read that the sense of smell is the one that can most quickly bring memories flooding back, and I believe it.


Aren't these red tutus gorgeous?


If I had to work somewhere, I think this would be a pretty great place. These little painted forms were bordering Elizabeth's cubicle. I love them.


Elizabeth and I joked that I was country mouse and she was city mouse. For someone that went to college in the heart of Washington DC (me) you'd never know it! I was fascinated by everything....even hand-painted street signs.


My cousin loves her cat, Ocean.


See that black changing table in the back?....I helped Elizabeth put it together. We had it almost finished when we realized two pieces were switched around. We practically had to take the whole thing apart to fix it. I think that's a general rule of putting furniture together...no matter how carefully you do it, you will have to redo it.


You know you're getting old when Dave and Buster's is too loud and too chaotic. But it did have a spectacular view of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge...this picture almost looks like a post card to me.


Elizabeth lives very near to where Benjamin Franklin lived and worked. I even walked through the same passage way he used to walk long, long ago.


What a painstaking process it must have been to print newspapers.


A famous name ready to be printed.


And here's some more city shots: Fire escapes are so cool.


So are mosaic tiled buildings...


and huge painted murals.


Here's a little video I took of my FAVORITE part of riding the train to Philly. It reminds me of Curious George changing the times at the train station...but way cooler.


Thank you, Elizabeth, for inviting me to your beautiful city and home...it was inspiring, and refreshing. I'm looking forward to rediscovering me a little more. But I'm REALLY looking forward to meeting your precious baby in May!

inspiration

This video's gone viral so you may have already seen it. But in case you haven't, watch it...and be inspired.

over the river and through the woods

Anyone know how to use a compass?


I know it points north and that's about it. Pocahontas State Park had an orienteering challenge this past weekend...I thought we might learn how to use those things...but apparently north is all you need to know. And you better have an accurate map.


We had to find ten stations, in order, and at each one there was a neat hole punch that looked like it was punching braille. Each one was different. There were several arguments over who would punch it....that's how you know it's fun.


It was a nice, cool day for hiking...3.2 km. A do able distance for a family hike. It took us about an hour and a half...with a couple of pit stops for bathrooms and playgrounds. And thankfully, I had packed blackberries, clementines and apples to eat. Nothing like hiking to make you realize how hungry you are.


Poor Isabela had an all-nighter birthday party the night before...she was pretty miserable the whole hike.


Still observant though...she noticed that someone had arranged the rocks in a heart shape along the path.


This little guy lead the way most of the time.


We kept telling the kids we'd have to swim part of the way...there was a patch of blue on the map with a clue on the opposite shore. Actually there was a bridge...but who wants to walk across a boring old bridge? The boys took the road less travelled...across a fallen tree.


They said it was pretty scary, but it didn't look it...considering all the stuff they've done in the past.


And, of course, they had to go back that way, too.


We were lent the compass in exchange for our car keys...plus $5. I thought for sure they'd give us the compass for completing the course, but no luck. They did give the kids a pencil though. Times must be tough.

I'm not sure why I wanted that compass so bad. I still don't know how to use it. But we did have a great day hiking through Pocahontas. Looks like a camping weekend may be in our future. Anyone want to join us?

taekwondo

This is the face of nerves. Serious. Quiet.


The kids have been doing taekwondo since the end of February. Saturday was their first testing day.


They LOVE taekwondo. I'm surprised by how much. We signed them up on a whim...we'd just refinanced the house and I guess the extra money was burning a hole in our pocket. Juan Pablo thought it would teach them discipline, after all, that's what all the signs proclaim.

I thought it would teach them Korean. It does both.


The discipline was unexpectedly tested the other day. Master Cho surprised me by asking if Isabela says 'yes, ma'am' at home. I remembered her saying it occasionally since she'd started taekwondo, so I said, "Yes." Then he asked about Joaquin. I smiled, and not wanting to completely embarrass him, I said, "Sometimes"...knowing it was not true at all. Master Cho turned to Joaquin and started to yank the black stripe off his belt. The look on Joaquin's face was shocked and I thought, "Well, now he's really going to hate me." But Master Cho put the stripe back on and reminded Joaquin to respect his mom and dad at home.

You didn't want to be in the car on that ride home...but ever since then, Joaquin has been doing a great job.


And they love the Korean! Especially Joaquin, which is shocking, since he resists Spanish so much. They can count to 10, say 'thank you' and 'you're welcome', and lot's of taekwondo terms like 'bow to master' and 'bow to flag'.


After the nerves of testing day, they were all smiles. We've promised Sweet Frogs frozen yogurt if they pass. We're pretty sure they did.