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Wordless Wednesday
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Wordless Wednesday
Our Camping Trip at Stone Mountain (Part 2)
If you missed my other post, you may want to check out Our Camping Trip at Stone Mountain (Part 1)
After our hike up the mountain, we went back to the campground, where the pool was waiting for us! Just for the record, coming down is MUCH easier than going up 🙂 The pool was nice and refreshing.
After the pool, we visited the campground playground to play and dry off and then walked to the campground store where we snagged some ice creams to replenish our energy. The campground store was very well stocked on things that you may have forgotten to bring with you.
They also have an option to purchase things like a refillable drink mug or slushees!
Then it was off to the fun activities! Stone Mountain Park has lots of adventure pass options and some even include meals. You can visit their website for more information on what is available.
If you purchase an Adventure Pass, you can add a Ride the Duck ticket for just $9. We had never done this attraction before the trip, and it was a hit! Our guide was hilarious and kept us laughing. Even more awesome, he let the kids drive the Duck while it was in the water! I think it was the highlight of our kids’ day! We are very glad we finally tried it!
After the ducks, we went back to the campground where we made quesadillas on the grill and relaxed at our campsite. We started packing up to go to the Lasershow Spectacular when a storm hit! Boo! What’s really neat is that at the campground, a horn will sound when lightning is nearby! We were able to hear that and opt to stay at our campsite instead of being caught in the downpour! When the storm passes, the horn does a quick 3 sounds to let you know it’s over. It is NOT a tornado alarm, but merely a lightning alert. I thought this was a great thing to have!
We were a little disappointed to not be able to see the Lasershow Spectacular a second time, but we made the best of it! We brought out our cards and played with them in the camper!
The next morning was time to leave. Boo! We had a great time and will definitely be back, only to take a much longer trip! 2 nights was far too short to see and do everything! Can’t wait to go again and have more adventures!
Thanks again to our friends at Stone Mountain Park for assisting us in this adventure!
Our Camping Trip at Stone Mountain Park (Part 1)
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!
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.
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.
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!
Thursday morning we decided to do something that we had never done since having kids. We decided to actually CLIMB Stone Mountain!
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 🙂
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!)
Stay tuned for more from our trip in the next day or so!
Update: Click HERE for part 2.
This Week’s Adventure: Stone Mountain Camping
This afternoon, the family and I are heading out to Stone Mountain’s campground with the popup. We have never camped there before so this is a new adventure! After checking out what the campground has to offer, we are very excited! They are supposed to have Wi-Fi so I hope to still blog a little and let you know our thoughts. If you’re interested in camping here, they do have a webpage with package deals. Some of the deals are:
- Weekend Stay and Play – Packages include two nights at a full or partial hookup campsite, four two-day Adventure Passes, a bundle of firewood, and four ICEEs from the Campground General Store.
- Midweek Stay and Play – Packages include two nights at a full or partial hookup campsite, four two-day Adventure Passes, a bundle of firewood, and four ICEEs from the Campground General Store.
- Ready, Set, Camp! – Includes a four person tent that is already set for you when you arrive, four sleeping pads, and best of all, these items are yours to keep for your next camping adventure!
- Weekend Camping and Golf Package – Save up to 35% with a Weekend Camping & Golf Package. Book a package for a weekend getaway at Georgia’s #1 Campground and play a round of golf on one of our two championship golf courses.
- Midweek Camping and Golf Package – Save up to 20% with the Campground Mid-Week Camping & Golf Packages! Book a package for a weekend getaway at Georgia’s #1 Campground and play a round of golf on one of our two championship golf courses.
Have you camped at Stone Mountain before? Any tips?
Jobs For Hire! An “Allowance” Alternative
I hear a lot from other parents about children feeling entitled. Entitled to treats, toys, and my least favorite, an allowance. Around our house, we have never given an allowance. First off, I have the memory of a rock and I would never remember to hand out an allowance. Second, I don’t feel that my children should be paid for simply existing or for making their bed. Making a bed and picking up after themselves should be a matter of respect, not something you get paid for doing. Of course every family is different, but this is what we have chosen to do for our children.
We have 4 kids from age 3-10. What we have come up with is a piece of paper on our fridge that I print each week that says “Jobs for Hire“. I stick it up fresh every Monday and the kids can put their name by it to let everyone know that they finished an item on the list. Then I simply just go through the list, verify that the job was done, and pay the worker.
If you’re interested in making your own “Jobs for Hire” sheet for your family, CLICK HERE to download a copy of ours.
Here are some examples from this week:
- Brush Dog: $1 per dog
- Wash sheets and remake beds $2 per bed
- Weed Gardens $2 per full bag of weeds
- Mop Kitchen $2
- Clean off porch $2
- Clean bathroom $3
- Clean and reorganize shed that holds outside toys $10
Am I overpaying on some of it? Perhaps. However keep in mind that this is the only chance they have to make some money and they have to get to them before a sibling does, it works for us.
And I have a clean house. With freshly washed sheets. And the kids are happy and proud of their hard work. They have money in their piggie banks and I won’t have to deal with the “I wants” in the store. They will have to check and see if they have the money for whatever their heart desires. Most of the items on the list are already done today, the first day of our new job list! Yes. This works for us.
How do you handle your kids earning money?
Strawberry Lime Good Girl Moonshine
Apple Cider Vinegar has so many benefits for us but it can be a little hard to get down. Since we got limes and strawberries today in our Bountiful Basket, I decided to put them to work. Here’s my newest favorite way to get in some apple cider vinegar. I enjoy making my own good girl moonshine along with the Trim Healthy Mama lifestyle! Don’t worry, there is no alcohol in this drink but it does have a little bit of a bite! Hope you enjoy!
In a blender, combine strawberries, lime, ginger, sweetener, and water. Blend until well blended. Pour over ice and enjoy!
Strawberry Lime Good Girl Moonshine
Ingredients
- 3 good size strawberries
- 1 tsp ginger
- 2 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar (I use Bragg’s)
- 2 cups water
- juice of 1 lime
- sweetener to taste (I use 2 tsp Truvia)
Instructions
- Throw all ingredients in a blender and blend for 10-20 seconds or until well combined.
- Fill a quart size mason jar up with ice. Pour combined ingredients over the ice and enjoy!
Homeschooling Today…
You know, it’s not everyday you get the chance to educate Darth Vader….
Have a great weekend everyone!!
Easy Raspberry Vanilla Overnight Oatmeal
I’m all about simplicity and eating right. Here’s a simple way to be prepared for your day with a delicious breakfast. You could also easily mix it up and use other fruits or toss in some nuts at the end as well if you prefer. For less sugar, use plain yogurt.
Easy Raspberry Vanilla Overnight Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Steal Cut Oats
- 1/4 cup Milk
- 1/4 cup Vanilla Yogurt
- 1/8 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 tbsp Raspberry Preserves
- 1/4 cup Fresh Raspberries
Instructions
- In a mason jar, combine oats, milk, yogurt, vanilla and preserves.
- Screw on lid and shake well to mix.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- When ready to eat, remove lid and top with fresh raspberries.
- Enjoy!
Stone Mountain: Now Playing “Let It Go”
Great news for Stone Mountain Fans! Check out this new addition to the Lasershow Spectacular! “Let It Go” is now going to be playing! I know my household is super excited!!! It starts Saturday May 24th!
How about you? Are you excited?
About Those Ears…
Back in April, I told y’all about how I took my 4 year old to get her ears pierced. Suffice it to say that it didn’t happen. You guys gave me excellent advice on how you went about going for or waiting for earrings. We decided to wait.
Here we are a month later and she has been asking again. Constantly. Telling me she doesn’t care if it hurts, she wants earrings. We decided to go for it today, honestly thinking she’d back out again when we went there.
My pretty girl proved me wrong! She hopped up on the chair and took the earrings without as much as a flinch! We could see the determination in her eyes of how badly she wanted earrings. And so… let me show you one of our little princesses and her beautiful ears….
I definitely think the key is waiting until they are 100% absolutely positively sure and so are you. It’s okay to back off when you get there. Even if they change their mind after the first ear. It’s OKAY.
I felt horrible for the girl that went after my daughter. The mom was pressuring her and there was lots of screaming, crying, and bribery. I even went over to try and talk to the mom but she would have nothing of it. It broke my heart. I’m so glad we waited and my daughter is so thrilled with her earrings.
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