Our Geocaching Adventure

Today we experienced a first.  Geocaching.  Although I had seen the word around, I did not know the meaning of it.  So this weekend I decided to learn just what  geocaching was all about,  and found that "geocaching is a treasure hunting game where you use a GPS to hide and seek containers with other participants in the activity" (definition courtesy of Geocaching.com). 


We started our hunt after lunch. 

To get started, I signed up for to become a member of www.geocaching.com, and then I downloaded the Geocache app on my phone.

We chose a location, and used the map icon through the app to guide us to the location.  The cache (item)  is hidden by another person at a specific location. 

Once we made to the destination, we had to put the GPS down and use our eyes to find the cache.  The first location we went to we weren't able to find it.  So we moved on.  I really didn't want the girls (or myself) to get let down because it longer than desired to find.

The next cache was hidden in nature.  I must admit...it took us a minute to find it, but it was so worth it.  The girls were so thrilled when we found it.  The hiding place was so neat and really camouflaged in nature.  It is evident that some of those that hide take great pleasure in making the search fun for others.  Each cache has a logbook, and each person or group signs it to let those know you found it.  You also log your find on the website. This lets future searchers know the cache is still active.

After our find

The girls took an old hotel key card and St. Pat's button, and they left glittery stickers and a stamper.  The find really made us all want to continue so we found another location not that far away, and went on our search.  It took us a shorter amount of time to find the cache.  It was hidden in a similar place as the first cache that we didn't find therefore finding the second cache made us go back to our first. And guess what...we found it!  The girls looked at our adventure as "our own Amazing Race"...they love this show.

We returned to find the first cache

This was a great family adventure.  The girls wanted to do more, but the site only allows three locations per day unless you are a premium member then you can get 6,000.  We will more than likely sign up to become premium members when school is out.

If you haven't tried it, I would definitely recommend it.  You should wear gym (tennis) shoes and outdoor clothing.  You should take in account the terrain and difficulty.  The website www.geocaching.com shares a lot of info about getting started.

New Findings

I am always on the lookout for places for us to visit and activities for us to do together.  I am a proud support of local small businesses especially since I also have an entreprenuerial spirit,

A few weeks ago, I learned that a new small business opened that provides art opportunities to youth and adults in the community.   Since we were on break, I thought it would be great to go out support the local businesses.

We had lunch at a local restuarant not a chain called The Spotted Cow.  Of course, we couldn't have lunch at place known for ice cream without getting a scoop or two for ourselves.

We followed up by a visit to the Art Garage.  The instructor was really nice, and after chatting a bit she shared that she was considering homeschooling her daughter. She said that since so many homeschoolers have visited her studio, the idea seems more realistic.

Do you have any local spots that you and your children enjoy frequenting?

Time Together

We are on break this week.  I must admit it is very refreshing.  The calmness is here.  The girls are clinging to each other in a positive way.  They really do a great job of looking out for each other and I am so grateful for this.

D has reminded me quite a few times that we don't spend enough time with each other. I would say my plans didn't go as planned as it relates to being a full-time working mom. I have a whole lot of tired days and need quite of bit decompression time when I get home. I do recognize that I am more appreciative of the time we spend together, and I know I will be more conscious and not take our homeschooling life for granted. 

I used to ask myself if we spent enough quality time together because we spent all of our days together we often had moments that we weren't fully engaged with one another. I would go off and do my own thing and so would the girls.  It was true that the quantity of time did not always equal quality time {I guess this really depends on the meaning of quality time to a person}.  But there were moments of quality time throughout each day, and wasn't just when we were trying to accomplish something or prove to myself that we were doing something purposeful at every moment.  It wasn't forced quality time.  It was free flowing and relaxed.  I have learned this is the best way for us because it is more authentic.  No one feels the pressure of having to do something because we are short on time therefore making many of our moments enjoyable.  I now have a new perspective about this time thing.

We took a short road trip with friends to STL.  We were able to visit the zoo, Science Center, and the Magic House. The girls like St. Louis a lot. 

I am trying not to get too comfortable since we still have 7.5 weeks left of school, but who's counting.