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High Museum of Art Features Dream Car Exhibition

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 I recieved a complimentary ticket through the travel campaign with New Creative Media.   All opinions expressed are 100% my own. Any additional expenses incurred were my own.  

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I honestly cannot remember the last time I went to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.  I suppose it was most likely when I was in elementary school or something.  I don’t know why we have waited so long to go back and why we have never taken our kids, but this is definitely going to be a more frequent visit.

We went to the High Museum of Art during our Wyndham Weekend to check out the Dream Car Exhibition.  I’m not quite sure what I was expecting, but it seriously blew me away!  Such history and such incredibly designed cars!

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I was especially intrigued by the 1936 Stout Scarab.  It was the “minivan” of the day.  It was designed to even have a table inside and fit larger families.

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This ferrari was pretty wild, too.  It was so short, but it’s design was amazing.  I think we will have to go back with my son.  He would LOVE the exhibits.  We went with just the little girls on our weekend outing, but I definitely want to take him.

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Next to each car, they had a big plaque with tons of information regarding to design and why it was created and why it did or didn’t work at the time.  It’s really fascinating to see how cars have evolved and all of the great ideas that people have had.

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On Saturdays, the museum also has a craft for kids.  You will want to call in advance to see what they will have and what time it is.  This time, my girls decorated little pots to grow bean plants.

 

For more information on the High Museum of Art, check out their website.  You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Our Camping Trip at Stone Mountain Park (Part 1)

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As I told you the other day, my family took a little camping trip to Stone Mountain Park in Stone Mountain, Georgia.  It was a great little adventure and we will definitely be visiting again soon.  I’m breaking this up in a couple different posts since there is so much to tell!

 

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We got there on Wednesday evening and set up camp at the Stone Mountain Park Campground.  The sites are somewhat uneven, but there is a cart near the office with boards that you can use to help level your camper.  We were very grateful for that!  Each site is equipped with a grill and a picnic table.  Ours even had a little fire ring, which was perfect for s’mores.

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Wednesday evening we relaxed, cooked hot dogs, and then made our way to the Lasershow Spectacular.  Something I didn’t know about the campground is that they have a shuttle to take you right to the activities!  You don’t have to move your car unless you want!  The shuttle runs every 30 minutes and up to 30 minutes after the Lasershow Spectacular.  

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At the Lasershow Spectacular, we did the Snack Terrace option.  You can easily do the free option as well, but if you’d like a seat and some snacks, the Snack Terrace is a great option.  You get a great viewing location and chairs to sit.

Lasershow Snack Terrace seating includes:

  • Lasershow Terrace Seat
  • Unlimited popcorn that can be enjoyed until the start of the show
  • One Coca-Cola® beverage

Did I mention the unlimited popcorn?  That was my youngest kid’s favorite part!

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Thursday morning we decided to do something that we had never done since having kids.  We decided to actually CLIMB Stone Mountain!

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We were a little hesitant not knowing how the kids would do, but they completely surprised us!  They did great!  I was the one dragging!  In my defense, I was also carrying the backpacks with 6 bottles of waters, snacks, and first aid kit, just in case.  Other than our youngest needing carrying the last slope of the hike, everyone did great!  Coming down was much easier 🙂

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We got to the top around 10:15 am and went to the building to get cooled down a bit.  It was locked.  Bummer.  We decided to stand and check out the view and before we knew it, guess what we got to see come up the hill!  The local Police Department driving on the mountain!  It was a really windy morning so they said they weren’t able to run the sky ride to get the workers up to the top.  When it’s too windy, they drive the workers up!  The kids thought that was super neat (and my hubby did, too!)

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Stay tuned for more from our trip in the next day or so!

Update: Click HERE for part 2.

Georgia Homeschooler Community – FREE Events, Adventures, Classes, Homeschool Days

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By clicking my links, I may earn a small commission to support this blog. Please see our Disclosure Policy.

My friend Robin over at the Georgia Homeschooler Community has given me permission to post her newsletter info for you guys!  I love how she gave a little shout out to Mommy Octopus on one of the deals 🙂 To get this info delivered right to your inbox weekly, sign up HERE for their newsletter.  Not a homeschooler?  You are still absolutely welcome on these outings!  

FREE 5th Battalion Ranger Training Open House, Dahlonega, Saturday, 11 a.m. 
Georgia Homeschooler will be there!

FREE Rick Hubbard Concert at Red Clay Theatre on April 27th – Duluth
Eddie Owen Presents Rick Hubbard and his Kazoobie Kazoo Show at The Red Clay Theater for a Sunday Matinee Kids Concert, on April 27 at 2:00 PM. It’s music, comedy, and fun for the whole family. Every kid gets a chance to be on stage with Rick Hubbard and everyone gets FREE Kazoobie Kazoos. How cool is that? Well, it’s even cooler because this special kids concert is FREE ADMISSION, so bring all the kids and have a blast.

FREE Entry and Tours at Bremen Jewish Museum on April 27 – Atlanta
Receive free entry into the Bremen Jewish Museum on Sunday, April 27th in honor of Yom Hosoah, the 49th annual community-wide Holocaust commemoration.

FREE Entomology Class on Thursday in Arnoldsville  Dr. Hinkle is offering a free entomology on Thursday, April 24 from 2-3:30 p.m. at Corinth Baptist Church cabin (behind the church) in Arnoldsville. Dr. Hinkle has asked all who attend to wear shoes for outside. If you plan to attend, please RSVP Lisa Harris at lisakayharris@yahoo.com.

FREE Pizza Day at Stevi B’s on April 27th – 
A big thanks to fellow Georgia Homeschooler and blogger Erin of http://mommyoctopus.com who shared that Stevi B’s is offering a free thin crust Margherita pizza to go on April 27th for their 6th Annual Pizza Day. Download the coupon and enjoy!

Dave Ramsey Financial Literacy Scholarship Contest for High School Students
Financial expert Dave Ramsey is inviting high school students to test their personal finance knowledge by taking the $15,000 financial Literacy Challenge by April 24. Three lucky seniors will each win a $5,000 scholarship to the college of their choice, and three underclassmen will each win a Google Chromebook. Winners will be announced by May 16!

FREE Family Concert at the Carlos Museum, Sun., April 27th, 4 p.m. – Emory
The Emory Chamber Music Society and the Carlos Museum present Lois Reitzes, legendary voice of WABE, who will narrate two favorites: Peter and the Wolf and the Carnival of the Animals performed by Keiko and William Ransom at one piano. Free public parking is available at Fishburne and Oxford Decks. Perfect for all ages. Reception Hall, Level Three.

GHEA Seeks Volunteers for Homeschool Convention
GHEA is seeking volunteers to help with the homeschool conference. This year’s conference will be June 5th-7th at Gwinnett Center in Duluth. Currently our needs are many and varied. Help unload vendors, at registration, hosting speakers, the graduation ceremony and other areas. PLEASE contact Lisa Lewis today! lisalewis31@msn.com

FREE Concert Hosted by Lauren Cohan from The Walking Dead – Atlanta
Lauren Cohan, main cast member of the Golden Globe-nominated television series The Walking Dead, will host the Atlanta Music Project Orchestra’s 2014 Spring Concert. The concert will be held on Saturday May 10, 2014 at 12:00pm in the Altitude Ballroom on the 27th floor of the W Atlanta – Midtown. MailChimp is the Presenting Sponsor for the concert.

May 9th – Homeschool Day at Six Flags

FREE UGA Herp Society’s Day on the Lawn is Tomorrow – Thursday – Athens
UGA Day on the Lawn – Thursday, April 24th – is Warnell’s Herping Society Outreach program. All manner of amphibians and reptiles will be on display. While many parents may shrill at the sight of reptiles, students who love wildlife will touch many slithering skinks and lizards and much more. It’s all day and all hands-on. This event is held on the front lawn at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. The address is 180 E Green Street • Athens, GA 30602-2152 • 706.542.2686. Event is 9-3 p.m.

FREE Fri. Night Family Fun in Downtown Duluth – Intl Dance and Jugglers Day

Events and Adventures Update from Georgia Homeschooler

Below are tempting new Georgia Homeschooler events and adventures to complement your homeschooling journey.

Our May 16 Behind the Scenes Tour of Lockheed Martin is full with a wait list. Email me at robin@rsgfundraising.com if you have trouble downloading any of the registration forms or have additional questions.

Thurs., Apr 24 – Herp Day at UGA – Athens – FREE – No need to register

Thurs., May 1 – May Day at Suwanee Library – FREE

Thursday, May 8th Behind the Scenes – Lunchtime in the Studio – 3 spaces left – Decatur

Mon., May 12 – Tree Top Quest, Buford

Tues., May 20 – Secluded Sapelo Island, Great Barrier Island off coast of GA – limited access island

Fri., June 27 – June on Lake Jocassee, 3 hrs northeast of Atlanta in S.C.

What’s Up Wednesday is a weekly publication from GA Homeschooler. Free or cheap events of interest to the Georgia homeschooling community are included. Please email robin@rsgfundraising.com by Monday (before noon) of each week if you want to post. All information must include contact info. I do not post open houses for programs, classes (unless free), or ads for organizations.Businesses or organizations desiring to advertise in What’s Up Wednesday may contact me at robin@rsgfundraising.com.

Frances Meadows Aquatic Center: Water Park in Gainesville

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Alrighty, I have been hearing about how awesome Frances Meadows Aquatic Center is from several friends, so today we took a trip out to Gainesville to check it out.

It. Was. AWESOME.

The kids LOVED it!  And I loved the price!  It’s only $8, but if you get a group of 10 together, you pay just $6.  Even better, if you know a Gainesville City resident, you could get in for as little as $4 after the group rate!  Kids 2 and under are free.

They do not allow arm floaties, but they have plenty of life jackets that you can borrow.

My thoughts?  It is much cheaper than Lake Lanier Islands, closer, and we had plenty of fun.

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Facility Amenities

  • 10-Lane Indoor Competition Pool – Stadium Seating 300 Seat Capacity
  • 4-Lane Indoor Instructional Pool – ADA Accessible with Ramp
  • Wellness Center for Land Fitness Classes
  • Viewing Lounge
  • Concessions
  • Men’s and Women’s Locker Rooms
  • Family Changing Rooms
  • Meeting Space with Catering Kitchen
  • Outdoor Patio and Playground
  • Two Body Slides – 3-stories high
  • Zero Depth Entry
  • Swirl Pool
  • Current Channel
  • Drop Buckets
  • Play Structure with interactive water elements for all ages
  • Kiddie Slide
  • Happy Loops
  • Water Troughs
  • Ample Deck Space and Chairs

Brett’s Casual American Restaurant Review

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My husband and I went out last night for dinner and some much needed quality time alone, without our 3 sidekicks.  On a whim, we decided to try Brett’s Casual American in Athens, a place we’d never been to but had heard was a good place to try. 

At Brett’s, we were pleasantly surprised by the many MANY items offered on the menu.  Something to please everyone.  The first thing I always try at a new restaurant is the burger.  If a place knows how to cook a great burger (to my well-done specifations) then that is a place I will return.  I also ordered the onion rings with my burger.  My husband tried the Talapia.  When our dinner arrived, it looked fantastic.  Everything was cooked to perfection.  The burger was cooked exactly how I like it and had a wonderful flavor.  The onion rings were these little tiny slivers of onions and there was a HUGE mound of them!  They had such a unique flavor that I can hardly wait to go back and get more!  My husband loved his fish so much he was tempted to ask for seconds! 

Brett’s would be a fantastic place to go on a date, or even with kids.  They have an outdoor section up front and a back area with small booths meant for just 2 guests.  That’s where my husband and I sat and had a wonderful time. 

The prices were reasonable – a little more than what my frugal self likes to pay, but I definately think we’ll be back again.  My burger and side were $8 and my husband’s fish plate was $10.  We were told that on Monday and Tuesdays little kids meals cost just $2!  And on Mondays, they have a free ice cream sundae bar for the kids!  Brett’s also has a Rewards program where you can earn coupons and learn about special deals.

All in all, great place to eat, and we’re very glad we tried it.  This post was not influenced by Brett’s Casual American in any way – we just found a great place to eat and thought we’d share it!

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