The Highlight of My Week-The Fishing Fair

I wasn’t even planning on fishing today at the free fishing fair.  Most of our family activities are children centered and fishing is no exception.  Preparing the line and hooking the worm for all the little ones is just too much work on its own.  But, my husband, a volunteer, and a few other Muslims were there helping the children, so when the sister offered to let me fish for a few minutes with her rod, I accepted. 

It has been a few years since I’d been fishing.  Our outdoor activities had almost come to a halt when Isa was born.   My husband and I didn’t even bother paying for a fishing license last year.  We are trying to get out more now, so we tried fishing today.  Anyway, after a few casts I felt a bite and with a bit of a struggle I reeled in a nice size catfish.  It was so empowering.  My husband offered to help, but I stubbornly refused as I really felt the desire to pull that fish in myself.  I don’t know why, but I was so proud of myself.  I loved every minute of it.  I have to admit I didn’t pull the hook out of its mouth.  Still working on that skill…

Airing it Out

Over this long weekend, my husband has been home from work and we have taken advantage of the lovely weather by getting some exercise outside, alhamdulillah.   I usually don’t accompany my husband and son on their frisbee golf rounds, but we decided to take the whole family out and spend some time together.

We enjoyed the scenery and got a chance to stretch our legs while my husband  played frisbee golf.  This particular  18 hole frisbee golf course is located in a 100 yr. old park. 

The playground at this park isn’t very modern, but the children really like it anyway.  I think it’s because of  the tall slide, line of swings, and the rocking horse equipment. 

On another outdoor excursion, we paddled back to the same swimming hole that we visited last month.  We were blessed to continue to have the island to ourselves, maashaa Allah.  It isn’t accessible except by small craft.  Everyone’s legs are now sore from walking upstream against the current in order to float back down. 

Hauling driftwood to make a raft was also great exercise.

Alhamdulillah, the raft floated!

Currently, the family is resting from the adventures of the last couple of days as we plan for the adventures of the upcoming week.

Topping Off a Beautiful Week

Admittedly, I wasn’t able to run through the woods during their final  hike class with the older children as they went letterboxing. Instead,  I stayed behind with the little ones to investigate toads, spiders, carpenter bees, click beetles, and dandelions.  I didn’t have the benefit of my father-in-law helping me out this time and the little ones weren’t up for walking the trails.  So, they managed to make their own letterboxing stamp,  follow the directions to find the boxes, and even take pictures without my help, maashaa Allah.

 Using the clues posted on Letteringboxing.org,  they were able to find many of the boxes hidden at the park, mark their notebook with the stamp in the found container, and leave their homemade stamp in the container’s notebook. 

Letterbox containing notebook and stamp

One of the stamps from a letterbox

They shared the stamps they made.

Can you find the letterbox?

So, all you Ukers out there- did you know this started in Dartmoor, England in 1888?  Have any of you participated in letterboxing?

Go Orienteering

If you love to be outdoors, running through the woods, then orienteering is the sport for you!  This sport requires knowledge of a compass and a map to navigate from one point to another.   It is certainly a “thinking” sport and does require  considerable concentration to find your way.

Recently, we were exposed to this sport for the first time during a homeschool hike session.   After receiving a briefing on how to use a compass and an orienteering map, we tried our hand at the sport.  The older children seemed to enjoy it, but I think it was a bit too advanced for the younger ones.  I wasn’t really able to concentrate on reading the map, yet I did manage to experiment with the starter  compass to figure out in which direction we were moving, maashaa Allah.  The instructor mentioned it does take some practice to learn to use  properly and quickly.  They didn’t end up finishing the course due to weary little legs and grumbling tummies, but we got the idea.  Apparently, this is a pretty popular sport worldwide as well as nearby as there are local orienteering competitions, maashaa Allah.  Though, I think we need to gain more experience  first, insha Allah.

Gearing up

Even with some of the children ill this week and thus having to cancel some of their outdoor activities, we are still getting excited and are absolutely anxious for the beginning of spring.  Last week, I spent some time booking upcoming homeschool workshops for the next two months at the local parks.  We are going to try a neighoring county’s homeschool programs this session as I have heard nice things about the instructor’s knowledge of nature and the environment. 

In addition to the outdoor classes, we are also gearing up to study oceans and marine science.  I am especially excited about this because I wanted to become a marine scientist when I was young.  In conjunction with our home study, there is a marine science day with tons of hands-on activities that a local institute sponsors every year  which I hope to attend with the children.   I also looked into this awesome program at a marine science consortium for the family on Wallops Island which could not be beat for the price, but it was full with a mile long waiting list.  Insha Allah, maybe next year.

The marine science trip at Wallops Island is very similiar to the one which I mentioned in the interview with Everyday Learning.   The major difference in the environmental program on Fox Island is that the facitilies are a bit more “green” including composting toilets and solar powered lights.   Insha Allah, I think a visit to either place can be a tremendously impressionable experience.

Last, but not most definitely not least, I am gearing up for the homeschooling conference this weekend!  It is always an event that I look forward to yearly.  I have enjoyed the keynote speaker, Linda Dobson, several times before and also excited about the other sessions especially the one about homeschooling a large family in which I was asked to proctor.  Insha Allah, I will try to share as much of my experience as possible with you all. 

Hope all my fellow homeschoolers are also gearing up for the spring.  Please feel free to share what is on your agenda with us too.

A Beautiful Day

The weather was just gorgeous today as the temperatures reached the mid 70s, alhamdulillah.  Since we have been starting our day at fajr (dawn), the children especially the younger ones finished their assignments quickly and eagerly dashed out to the backyard.  Recently, my husband attached a tire swing to one of the trees and the children are just obsessed with it now.  I also enjoyed reading The Black Stallion Picture Book while the little ones swung and listened to the story.  They stayed out there almost all day playing with acorns, pretending their bikes were horses, and eating lunch.  I have noticed that most of the time when they are outdoors, there are hardy any quarrels or bickering which is so refreshing, alhamdulillah.  I wonder what it is about being outdoors that enhances their cooperation with one another. 

Being able to get an ample amount of fresh air and sunlight during the day is another much loved  benefit of homeschooling.  As the days get shorter and there is less daylight in the afternoons, I am reminded how grateful I am that they are able to be outside and not stuck indoors all day long, masha Allah. 

So, if the rest of the week in a bit chilly and rainy and Allah knows best, at least we had today as a beautiful gift!

River City Rock Hoppers

Originally, we had planned to visit the Belle Isle part of the James River Park System in the city of Richmond as a  science field trip to examine the huge rocks in the earth.  Allah is the best of planners and due to construction and a closed parking lot, we ventured over to the south side of the river to explore instead.

Rock Hoppers

Make Shift Bridge

My husband assisted the children out onto to the rocks for a first hand experience at examining the igneous granite.  It was a little treacherous at times, masha Allah.

  

 

 

 

 

The erosion in the park was also very obvious as seen with this hole in the rock.

Erosion evidence

Not only did we study the geology of the area, but the biology as well.

Autumn flowers in bloom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was also a living history exhibit as well to investigate, alhamdulillah.

White Oak Canoe

The huge log was in the process of becoming a Powhatan Indian style canoe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is truly a blessing from Allah to have access to these free community homeschooling resources right in our backyard, alhamdillah.

 

Autumn at Lake Anna State Park

 

Fall Foliage at Lake Anna State Park

 

The weather was a bit overcast and chilly, but quickly became sunny and enjoyable as we journeyed to Lake Anna State Park to explore this water-oriented state park for the first time.  We were delighted to have visited in the autumn as it is  very popular with those who love water sports  in the summer.  So, for us the park was almost deserted and we were able to enjoy ourselves with much privacy, alhamdulillah.

Deserted beach

 So, they were able to wade and frolic in the water and enjoy themselves as the water temperature was still warm enough, alhamdulillah.

It was a good thing that I had brought a few extra clothes along for them to change into because they got soaked, masha Allah.

Washing Up

One of the highlights of the trip for me was spotting a bald eagle.  This was the first time most of us had seen one before in its natural habitat.  

Bald Eagle

Also, I found watching the waves as they came ashore from the wake of a motor boat to  be  a very peaceful and reassuring sight as well as sound, masha Allah.

Waves upon the shore

My four year old found the “pink” grass dancing in the wind very intriguing.

Pink grass

This state park is just fantastic this time of year especially if you like water oriented activities less the crowds.  When I asked my husband where all the people were, he reminded me that summer was over and it now is football season!

Four Mile Creek

Four  Mile Creek at Deep Bottom Park in eastern Henrico Co. was fabulous, alhamdulillah!   The habitat was very peaceful and serene!

 

 

 

 

 

Path to the canoe launch

 We forgot the canoe carrier, so my husband had to hike the canoe on his back all the way to the canoe launch, subhanallah.

Canoe launch

The canoe launch at Deep Bottom Park was a little different than the rest of the canoe launches we have seen.  This one was a floating dock which made it a little more of a challenge for everyone to board the boats.

Also, this creek has more wetlands (nooks and crannies) to explore than other creeks and lakes we have traveled.

Zebra Swallowtail

The park was full of flying insects such as butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies, masha Allah.  Painted Lady Butterflies were even following us in the boats as well as landing on our clothes!

Great Blue Heron feather

We saw several Great Blue Herons,  Great Egrets, and a Red Tailed Hawk.

Great Egret

Click here to see more pictures from Four Mile Creek.

Day Tripping to Dutch Gap Conservation Area

 

 

 

 

Dutch Gap Conservation Area- View from Pocahontas Bluff

Our destination today was Dutch Gap Conservation Area and City of Henricus located in Chesterfield County.  Here we explored the 810 acre woodland, waterways, and historic area by foot and canoe. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My husband and the three eldest children explored the waterways by canoe, masha Allah.   There were many freshwater tidal lagoons along the James River which is a major tributary to the Chesapeake Bay. 

Canoeing in the lagoons

 

Great White Herons

Barge

The Port of Richmond was upstream from where they were canoeing and the barge may have been headed there, insha Allah.

Citie of Henricus

The Citie of Henricus was the site of second successful  17th century English settlement in Virginia.   The  famous Pocahontas, daughter of Chief Powhatan,  called Citie of Henricus her first English home.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trails at Dutch Gap Conservation Area

The trails were beautiful and great exercise, but too long for us to finish with the children getting a bit weary, masha Allah.   From the main trail, there were many spurs which provided even more exciting discoveries.

Off the beaten path

 

 

Fishing pier

We discovered several fishing piers for anglers along the way, but we had forgot ten our fishing tackle, masha Allah.  After we returned home, my husband typed out a Day Tripping Checklist , so, insha Allah, we will remember to pack all the necessities next time.