Hilton Head Vacation (Day 1 & 2)

I can't say I was looking forward to this vacation before we left.  As a mom, vacations are generally just a change of location, not a break from my job so I'd rather do my job in my space.  However, Chris and the boys did need a break and since it was possible for them, I agreed to accept Grandpa Harvey's invitation to spend the weekend with him in Hilton Head.  As it turned out, it was the most relaxing vacation I've had in years!

It was raining as we drove in and traffic was heavy getting on the island so we didn't make it until about 5pm.  Grandpa Harvey was excited and waiting for us at the gate to usher us into the parking area.  The kids were not going back in the car so we decided to eat at the Bar and Grill on property.  The rain continued on and off but despite the rain the sea air began to work its relaxing magic.  We all enjoyed getting caught up with Grandpa and he kindly offered to go to the store to buy supplies for breakfast so we needn't get into the car again.

The condo was a double master suite, with a King in one room and two queens in the other.  We suggested Harv settle down in the King suite so he could have his privacy.  Chris, Titus, Amber and I slept on the queen beds and Lance and Jared slept in the Living Room on the two Aerobeds we'd brought along (there was a sofa sleeper but like nearly all sofa sleepers - it really wasn't sleepable).

Everyone woke up early the next morning and we headed straight to the beach to see low tide.  The beach was just as natural and beautiful as I remembered.  It had been 16 years since we last vacationed on the island it was nice to see it still so pristine.  The kids went running right into the water. I was not wearing suitable attire for such activities (I thought it was too cold) but enjoyed sitting watching them play and building in the sand.  At 9am we headed back in to each some breakfast.

We were back out by 10am.  Now it was time for them to really build a big structure against the waves.  In the construction process, I was amazed at all the animal life they found; living conch shells, sea worms, and even a living sand dollar.  We also saw what we think were pilot whales swimming off the coast and the kids met some new friends. 

We eventually got hungry again and headed back to our room for lunch.  I thought the kids would want to chill after spending all morning at the beach but as soon as they heard their new friends down at the pool (our suite overlooked the pool), they were ready to head right back out.   Chris went down with them and I decided to finish my lunch with a book out on the porch.  However, they looked like they were having so much fun I couldn't stay away for long.  I chased Titus around the water splash area, then we played some bean bag games, ping-pong and swung in the hammocks till they were all ready for some rest.

Being a glutton for punishment, I saw that as an opportunity for Chris and I to get away.  So while the kids watched shows in the condo with Harv, Chris and I went for a long walk on the beach and played some shuffle board. Yes, we are getting old - it was fun! :-P.

When we came back, the kids were ready to go back to the beach for the third time (fourth for us) that day. This time they built and destroyed a huge volcano.

After a couple more hours at the beach, we got hungry again and returned to the condo for dinner, some much needed rest, and another dip in the whirlpool bathtub (extra bubbles for the kids).

Rabbit Day Book Reveiw - September

Chris did a great job fixing one of my bookshelves this month.  We found out the reason it collapsed was that they were hollow wood and the original installer had only stapled them into the back.  Chris's quarter-round and half-round supports work much better, as I weigh the shelves down quite a bit as you can see.  Next month, he'll tackle the other side.  It has not collapsed yet but we're sure its just a matter a time. 

History Read-Aloud:

For the last two months, Chris has been reading Wulf the Saxon by G.A. Henty to the boys.  This adventure takes place in England the few years proceeding the Battle of Hastings (1066) and the Norman conquest of England.  G.A. Henty books are long reads but well worth the time.  The boys really liked this book, their only disappointment was that Wulf was not a real person.  Jared enjoyed the many battle scenes, and Lance liked the ending best.  I had originally planned on them reading The King's Shadow by Alder, but changed my mind after reading.  This too is a wonderful book, but includes elements a graphic maiming (central and necessary but still graphic) and some romantic elements I thought made it a better suited for when the boys were a bit older.  G.A. Henty is more in-depth but less graphic.

Music History:
I was once again able to find two books about the same person at different reading levels for the boys this month.  This time they were biographies of Joseph Haydn.  Lance once again, read a Grosset & Dunlap Signature Book, The Story of Haydn by Helen L. Kaufmann. (I am slowly collecting many of these because they have an engaging narrative style the boys enjoy.)  Lance was a bit disappointed at his mischievous childhood but enjoyed learning the inspiration behind a number of songs he's learned to play on the piano.   Jared read, Joseph Haydn: The Merry Little Peasant by Opal Wheeler and Sybil Deucher.  Jared was amazed at the young age at which he started composing, and his relationship with other famous composers.

Lance Independent Read:

Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry, is a book I picked up last year on a whim because it was old, only to find that it later won the Newberry Award. This is a coming of age book set in the Pacific islands, that teaches the importance of conquering our fears.  Lance liked that it was a very active book and a true reflection of the lives and views of the islanders at the time.  The ending had him a bit confused but that gave us a chance to talk more about the book.
 
Living Science Books:
 
Jared and his brothers have really been eating this series up.  The Building Blocks of Science by World Books.   So far they have read Electricity, Matter and Force & Motion. We have others waiting to read next month when we find them at the library.  The format is compelling in that each concept is personified as a little creature.  These creatures teach the children the concepts is rather deep, yet understandable detail.  There have been a few evolution plugs but the boys have caught them and quickly refuted them.

Titus Illustrated Library Pics of the Month:

The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau by Dan Yacarrino is a beautifully illustrated book with an engaging story line.  Manfish: a story of Jacques Cousteau takes his life from a different perspective and lacks the magical/fantasic quality of the first, but is an interesting read non-the-less.

One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo is a darling book.  It stresses good manners, while at the same time comically following the literal instead of the implied meaning of statements and questions.  Everyone enjoyed a good laugh at the ending.

Books I Pre-Read this Month:
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink was a breath of fresh air, I can't wait to share it with the kids when we tackle American History next year.  The book takes place during the end of civil war in Wisconsin and follows the life of a young girl and her pioneer family.  The character and story development are both engaging and fast moving.  The part the boys will like the best is that its true.  Many people I've talked to about this book didn't realize that it was a biography written by Caddie's grand daughter that was raised by her.  I much preferred it over a similar piece I read this month called, A Gathering of Days by Joan Blos.  This piece, though well researched, is a work of fiction, had a negative tone and poor character development due perhaps to the presentation as a series of diary entries.
 
Thee, Hannah! by Marquerite de Angeli is also a biography.  This book takes place shortly before the Civil War and centers around a young girl learning to appreciate her Quaker heritage.  The little girl wants to do right but struggles with not being able to dress as fancy as other girls and gets into mischief as a result.  Besides the coming of age element, the book also deals with the families involvement with the Underground Railroad.  The book is a bit dry, especially for boys, but worth reading as one of the best books I've read to introduce discussion of the sacrifices some were willing to make, to help others to freedom at this time in history.