Disney on Ice

So about midnight last night, I received a message from one of my dear homeschooling friends who happens to run our large, local homeschooling association....she had four extra tickets to Disney on Ice in Savannah, and did I want to go?  We have SO much going on this weekthat my first instinct was to say no....but, I decided to turn over a new leaf and just go for it!  And more than that, I decided to do one better, and just totally surprise the girls...which I did; and they were SO SO excited!



 
And a GREAT time was has by all!


The *only* thing they were upset about: they wished they had known to bring their cameras...which I would have thought of that on their behalf; lesson learned.

Savannah Jazz, Blues, and BBQ

although Savannah is only a hop, skip, and a jump away....I think it's been at least two years since we've done anything on River Street....so we had to rectify that situation:)  A great night was had by all!

family friday fun day: on location of the filming of the new sponge bob movie (Savannah and Tybee Island)

we LOVE it when daddy takes  advantage of his four day work week!
we explored Tybee Island (this weekend is the famous Pirate's Fest!)
we hit Broughten  Street in down town Savannah to visit the set of  the filming of the new Sponge Bob movie
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=106375
we hit River Street



in northern Wisconsin and the Upper Penninsula, you see signs a lot like these....but even taller....but of course they don't mark  storm surge from hurricanes, they mark record snowfalls....we saw one that was  around 17 feet! (they were beyond buried!)

Paramount Pictures is right here in our very own Tybee Island and Savannah!  My girls BEGGED me to let them be extras on set (they are looking for extras)....but a homeschooling family whose kiddos are both actors, told me that you have to be on set for up to 12 hours a day.  I love my girls....but maybe not that much :D

they weren't actually filming at the time we were walking around....they have a two block radius blocked off from traffic and were busy preparing today's set for filming later

they literally added signs, changed road signs, "changed" the names of existing store-fronts and businesses (this is actually a college) for the set.  I've opted  to take lots of pictures of the set, so we can get all excited when the movie comes out and we recognize everything from behind the scenes:)  Even all the street vendors (like the stuffed animals below, and the sunglass stand) were all props with real items.  There was a police officer semi guarding the items.  But for the most part, passersby ignored the filming and went on with their shopping (yes, buisinesses are staying open throughout the filming).






they had older vehicles, strategically placed...all with Salty Shoals license plates.  J talked to someone (thinking it would be fun to have his Bee in the movie....they actually do rent the cars from people, but they drive them around the set.  As soon as J heard that he immediately retracted his first thought:)  (hmmmmm, I wonder if his Bee would make the credits;)




who  doesn't  love a magic bus;)
 
and then we headed a couple of blocks back to the River Walk....and I don't think it's even humanly possible for us to go to River Walk without a stop in our favorite candy shop:)


i mean, who can resist these sweet faces :D





a GREAT day (and candy and ice cream;) was had by all!

field trip to Bamboo Coastal Farms

Our homeschool group met up for a roots to shoots program.  Due to the number of homeschool students, the class was split up: 9 and up (which means Angel Girl went with the older kids:(  ... and the younger children (I stayed with Fairy Girl).


One of the naturalists did a nice talk on the life cycle of seeds
 
And then we planted one!  (can't wait to find out what the mystery seed grows into!)

This is a bamboo flower.  It turns out, that there are over 1000 variety of bamboo, but they only flower ever 75-100 years!  But sadly, once they flower, they are getting ready to die:(

We then took a hike to see the bamboo.  This is the original bamboo, the first planted brought over from Japan as a gift, and planted...this is the 100 year old section:)

Here is some younger bamboo:
 
I Love Palm Trees!  (especially the short fat guys!)


oh great, now I want this;)
 
Here is some black bamboo; makes great furniture!

And a little splash of spring for ya!

And finally, all three of my girls;)

A great morning was had by all!