March 23, 2019

We Love Mystic Falls!

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In 2012, my daughter and I, late to the game, discovered a little show called The Vampire Diaries. From this show, we not only got to see where the magic was made in Covington Georgia, AKA Mystic Falls, VA, we made a ton of amazing friends, who are now family.

My daughter joined the Ian Somhalder Foundation Kids Army and, through that, go to meet kids from all over the world.

It had been 6 years, since we were able to make it to Covington. So, in February, for her 16th birthday, I decided to bring her there.

Of course, we had to go to the Mystic Grill. The last time we where there, in March 2013, it was not yet open to the public.







Not only was it beautiful, there were amazing displays of autographs, plaques and pictures form the cast and crew of The Vampire Diaries, as well as other famous people that have visited. 
We had to go to the beautiful square and get pictures of the houses we loved in the show. Including Ten Oaks, also used in other TV shows, such as Dukes of Hazard and movies, such as Gone With The Wind. We also got pictures of the Lockwood Mansion and Elena's house, which I aways LOVED! 









Of course, she HAD to go to Scoops, her most faboitre of all ice cream places. 



I wish it weren't raining, or else we could have walked around, instead of driving. But there will be a next time!

Oh and, since we were in the area (if you count being na hour away in the area) I also HAD to drive to the Love, Simon house, that they used for Simon's family's house. This house could be yours, for only $1.4 Million! Totally with it, I think! the entire neighborhood is absolutely beautiful!



March 22, 2019

Is Disney Educational? Of Course It Is!

Posted by Becka 0 comments


A couple years ago, there was a discussion about taking your child out of school for a trip to
Disney. 

Well, OF COURSE I would!!!!

But many people were saying that (teachers mainly) parents
would take their child out of school as a learning experience...and that it
didn't seem like a valid excuse. Then one mom actually said that Disney was NOT
a learning experience....

I have to 110% disatgree with Disney not being a learning
environment!

Let's see, what can a child learn about at Disney...
American history (hall of presidents)

World cultures and traditions (Epcot and other places)

All about animals, and their natural habitats (Animal
Kingdom)

Waiting turns (you KNOW how LONG those lines are!!!)

Science (Epcot, etc..)

Future technology (see above)

Economics (saving and spending their own money)

Map reading and navigation (those Disney maps are very
child-friendly)

Math (waiting times, money, etc...)

Reading (signs, ride names, etc...)

Marine biology (Disney Oceans and other items)

And that is just to name a few...


And I  came upon this a few years ago... www.disneyyouth.com

This holds so true! 

Don't forget the Disney College of Knowledge! There is also Disney Traditions, that every cast member goes though. 


You can also go through their College Program and choose areas of studies. Otherwise known, as Disney University! 




Here are some other things, I am already sure you knew, but, in case you didn't! 

Epcot is exploding
with science and social studies lessons! And Animal Kingdom is nothing more
than a zoo...schools take field trips to zoos all of the time. And if you have
slightly older kids there's lots to talk about at Hollywood Studios with the
history of filmaking (art). You could get really deep and talk about the
relationship of the economy and entertainment.

As for the Magic Kingdom...well, that's recess!  Seriously, even there there's the Hall of
Presidents & the Carousel of Progress. And yes, we do take our children to
all of those things.

There are SO many learning experiences at Disney, and the
park itself is SOOOO rich with history and stories, that I can no see how you
can NOT learn something at Disney!!!


And that concludes my presentation on why Disney is educational! :) There are more, and hopefully some of my friends will list them. But if you ever get ridiculed for taking your child out of school for a Disney vacation, use this in rebuttal!

Not to mention The Man himself, Mr. Walter Elias Disney was HUGE on education.

March 21, 2019

Folly Beach!

Posted by Becka 0 comments

I have always loved the ocean. Ever since, well, birth, my parents took me to the ocean, Narragansett Bay to be exact, in Rhode Island. My grandfather's family is from there and we would visit every summer. Sometimes I would stay with my aunt for two or three weeks.

I have always loved the smell of the salt air. The rush of the waves. The way it feels, when you stand on the beach and the waves go out from under you.

So, even though I didn't want to leave Spring Hill, the thought of being close to the beach made moving here a little better. Even more so, that I could drive up, spend the day and drive back anytime I want to.

The first thing I did, was take my kids to the beach. It had been a while since they had seen the ocean.

In September, I brought my daughter and the boys. In November, when my oldest came to visit, we went again. I also walked the beach, when I had a day there by myself. And, of course, when my daughter's friend came to visit from Spring Hill, we went again.

I will just leave these here. I hope to go soon, as soon as it can stay above 60 for more than a day!




















Take The Child Safety Pledge! End Child Sexual Abuse!

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Nothing is more important, than the safety of the next generation. With everything we see in the media, we all know our #1 priority, should not be just to protect our children, but every child out there. 

I have written about this in the past. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and, as I have stated, every month should be this way! 

I came across this Child Safety Pledge on Twitter and immediately shared, signed and wanted to write a blog post about this. 

After contacting them, I received links to do just that. 

YOU can sign the pledge HERE 

Don't forget to follow them on Facebook and Twitter for more information, articles and insights into other's experiences. Pass this on to as many people as you can, whether they be parents, friends, family members, teachers, representatives...anyone you can think of! 

Let's make protecting our children our #1 priority! 

More links to follow: 

Passion For A Purpose Twitter 
Passion For A Purpose Website
Passion For A Purpose Facebook


(Click on pictures to make them larger, if needed)



Child abuse is everywhere. If you don't think it's right in your backyard, look again!  





What Does It Take, To Effectively Stop Child Abuse? 





Some important things to remember! 







Being in the age of social media, it's important that we keep our kids safe online, as well as offline! 













What else can you do? Both as a parent and a responsible adult...







Sign the Pledge And Pass It On! 
Let's keep our kids safe!




Follow these links for more! 




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