Room Rearrangement

Elisabeth's makeshift princess canopy

Dress Rehearsal for Spring Recital

Here are a few images from yesterday's dress rehearsal. (Jonah took the un-staged pictures of their routine.)

Jones Lake State Park

Last weekend, we went camping at Jones Lake State Park near Elizabethtown, NC. October was the last time we were camping. With all the home improvement tasks lately, we were desperate to get away. 

I chose this location because it was only 2 hours away from our home in Raleigh. We really don't like to drive more than that for just a weekend away. And, it was a place we had never been before. 

The campground at Jones Lake State Park has only one site (#3) with water and electric hookups. I was astounded that it was reservable on-line and not taken by a campground host. When we arrived Friday afternoon, we were pleasantly surprised with the campground and our site. We were amazed at how much the campground reminded us of campgrounds in Florida - a flat, sandy, pine Savanna. 

Jonah spent nearly the whole weekend playing in the dirt.

Elisabeth enjoyed riding her balance bike around the campground.

Jones Lake State Park

Jones Lake itself is one of the Carolina bay lakes. Theories abound, but the actual origin of these lakes is still undetermined. There is a fishing pier, but not many fish due to the acidity of the water. There is also a great picnic area and a beach for swimming. We enjoyed hiking the 5-mile trail around the lake that is shared with mountain bikers.

We stopped in the visitor center briefly on our way out. It was only then, that I learned that Jones Lake State Park was the first segregated state park. For my generation, it's hard to imagine a time when a park, any park, was off limits to someone based on race, religion or creed. While Jones Lake State Park is a beautiful place and was certainly a nice surprise for us, it is sad to think that at one time it was the only destination open to such a large segment of the population. It goes against the philosophical underpennings of public parks and open space. 

If you haven't visited this part of North Carolina except to drive through to the beach, I highly recommend a detour. Jone's Lake State Park is a great place to relax, hike, bike and swim - and don't forget to stop in the visitor center for a bit of little known North Carolina history. 

Teach Your Child to Read....

Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons!! Really? That was my thought when a friend of mine said she used this book to teach her son to read (Jen, you rock!). I went home and told my husband about it. He ordered it online that day from Amazon and then sat down to start the first lesson with our 6 year old son as soon as it was in hand. (I just have to say, "Yes, my husband is awesome!")

Lesson 1 took place about the second week of October. Nearly every evening my hubby would go through the lessons with our son, weekends and a long holiday break notwithstanding. I took over at about lesson 72, and, just a couple of weeks ago, we finished the last lesson. He got a reward for finishing the book and we celebrated by making cookies.

I am so thankful that my hubby took the initiative on that one. The timing was great, as I was teaching Jonah handwriting, and the two went well together. I only took over the reading lessons once Jonah had completed the Handwriting Without Tears for Kindergarten curriculum (which I also highly recommend - my 4 year old daughter is using it now).

So, if you are wondering how in the world you are going to teach you child to read, Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is one great way. And if you don't like this methodology, there are so many other methods out there. Regardless, you can do it!