Belle Mont Mansion

JT, Luci and I went on a field trip today. Belle Mont Mansion in Tuscumbia, Alabama, was decorated for Christmas and open for tours. They are only open a few times a year (sometimes only at Christmas), so we were very fortunate to see the mansion. The mansion is being restored as money is raised; you can see the progress in the photos.

Alabama’s finest expression of Jefferson Palladian architecture. Brick, U-shaped structure, built 1828–1832, was one of state’s 1st great plantation houses. Design strongly suggests influence of Thomas Jefferson. Alabama Historical Commission Property.Quote from Belle Mont website

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Field Trip!

Thursday, John came home from work excited about taking us all on a field trip to Cathedral Caverns.  He was so animated, ready to go exploring with all of us.  He's really taken to heart his "Principal-ship" of our homeschool, leading more than ever.  I love that.

Except that on Thursday, right before John got home, all I could think of was how I wanted some time all by myself.  Even if that meant sitting in the van in the driveway, with the doors locked.  As John told us his plan for Saturday, my eyes began to glaze over.  So, seeing Mommy retreating into herself, he revised the plan--it would now be a "Dad takes the kids on a Really! Fun! Trip!" but we couldn't tell Luci about it before arriving there or she'd freeze up and be scared ("Are there monsters there?  What about BATS?!" which is precisely what she said once she found out about the CAVE, about 30 minutes before arriving there).

Turns out part of my reluctance was not just a difficult time this week with my high school kids, but that I was coming down with a sinus infection.  Oh Joy.  At least I didn't have to feel guilty about staying home and missing all the fun. 

There were too many shots that were my favorites, so here are a bunch! 

So glad that John-Daddy-Principal took this shot before going into Cathedral Caverns:  not just to commemorate the occasion but to use as a "my kid's in there lost, here's what he looks like" photo.  Notice I didn't say "she" because I know that Luci would be stuck on John like a limpet.  Which she was.  John said he carried her nearly the entire time.  Good thing she's light.

Enjoy!

Wish I had this much self-confidence...

This morning Luci and I went to Frontier Days at Pope's Tavern.  As we parked, Luci said,

"I know everyone is going to see what a beautiful daughter I am."

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We saw a woman spinning wool into yarn; another weaving a seat on a child's chair (I got her card so I can call her later about fixing my little red rocker); a man weaving baskets; a uniformed somebody (didn't get to talk to him so I am not sure "who" he is supposed to be--perhaps Mr. Pope?); a spinning wheel (just like Sleeping Beauty's, Mama!), and child's clothing.

There were also potters, woodcarvers and jewelers.  Luci also got to play with some clay.  Here she is making a ball, Chinese noodles, a cookie, and finally the clay turned into a bowl after spinning on the potter's wheel.

On to Williamsburg!

We are going to visit Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown this spring. I am so excited! A group of homeschool families from here are making the trek. This has been such an interesting study here at home, and at a homeschool co-op class the boys are attending. I've especially enjoyed the study because history (US, World, Ancient--all types, really) has been my worst subject all through my own schooling. That's one of the best things about homeschooling: you learn right along with your children.

Of course going to such an historical place would be more fun if you have appropriate attire! So Luci plotted, and I planned, this PINK gown:


Luci called it her "President Wife" outfit. So, I asked her to pose like a President's wife:

I loved it! Hands on hips, ready to tell the Leader of the Free World just what he's got to do here at home to make the wife happy.

(Mom: Did you notice the pineapple? Just right for posing next to, when you are dressed for Williamsburg, don't you think?)

This dress still needs hemming. The pattern calls for lace at the end of the sleeves and at the hem, plus a bow on the ruffle of the sleeve, but Luci does not want that at all. So, risking an unfinished dress, I decided to not put on those details even though hunting for the trims took longer than finding the pattern and the pink material in the first place. I want her to wear this! If it's not "just right" in her eyes, it will remain in the closet. Oh--and I need to make the shawl and mop cap. That's what I get to do tomorrow afternoon.

It was so much fun sewing today. Even when I put the skirt on the bodice inside out and had to take it all apart. I hate ripping out stitches! But I actually enjoyed my day, even with that. Luci has been at her clingiest with bronchitis, and she let me sew. She played Playhouse Disney on my computer, at the table with me, as I worked. I have not sewed in a long time, because I haven't been able to focus on the task while Luci demanded attention. This gives me such hope for making Luci pretty dresses in the near future! She loves dresses, but the ones for her age group are, well, tacky. They are way too skimpy for my taste, too grown-up, too sexually oriented for me to buy for my young daughter. (And I refuse to buy that stuff when she's older, too.)

If I hit the sales at the mall stores, pretty, modest dresses can be found--but I have to buy for next year to be able to afford things...and, as Luci has done in the past, what she loved at shopping time she did not like at all when it came time to wear the clothes. Wasted money!

Here's the pattern: Simplicity 3725, view D














We are in Volume V, Chapter 1 of our Weaver Unit studies. What great timing, as this chapter covers US History from Columbus through the American Revolution. Some of our resources (but certainly not all) are KIDS DISCOVER Magazines (thanks, Mom and Dad for the subscription!), The Light and the Glory for Children, and If you lived in Williamsburg in Colonial Days. There have been quite a few more books from the library that I can't recall off the top of my head right now.

Going to Camp

The boys went to camp today. McDowell Environmental Center has 3 and 5 day camps available for all age groups. Robin W. got a group of homeschoolers together for a 3 day camp. It was just too good to pass up. The lessons, on the environment, fit right in with our Weaver studies this spring. Usually things like this are out of our budget so that's another blessing to come from John's trip.

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Bryan was not convinced this was a good idea.

Until he found out it was 5 boys to 10 girls....if you look hard, you can see a little grin.When getting directions to the boys' cabin, the counselor said, "Go left at the fork in the road."JT was pretty excited about this camp. It's the first time he's gone on a trip without a parent...so Mom's nervous, but he is not.The cabin. Much nicer than what we had at Ivydale in the '70s!JT and Luci loving on each other.

The camp is in Winston County, Alabama. Winston County seceded from Alabama when Alabama seceded from the Union! The citizens here did not want to fight their Southern brothers or their Northern brothers, and seceded to make the "Free State of Winston."

Later today, Luci "fixed" her bicycle.

Two Vastly Different Anniversaries

from the Times Daily: Today in History: In 1887, In Tuscumbia AL, teacher Anne Sullivan achieved a breakthrough as her blind and deaf pupil Helen Keller learned the meaning of the word "water" as spelled out in the Manual Alphabet. Helen learned 30 words that day, unlocking her genius. Ivy Green is only 24 miles from our home. Helen's story is a great one! It is possible to visit her home and go up to the original pump, even now. I love going there. It was a lot of fun showing Ivy Green off to my parents and nieces a couple of years ago, and attending The Miracle Worker. Helen and I share the same birthday, but not the same year! She was born in 1880. I was born a little later.
The other anniversary: The Battle of Shiloh took place on April 6 and 7, 1862. Shiloh National Military Park is only 47 miles from our home. Dad first took us there 'way back when and now John and I take our kids. John has a stepbrother named Frank who acts in Civil War Reenactments and has appeared at Shiloh.

Photo of Helen Keller taken from here.

Photo of the pump at Ivy Green taken from here.

Shiloh print taken from here.