Consolidated Gold Mine

Over Spring Break last week we both stayed in town.  We were quite jealous of everyone's amazing beach pictures all over social media, but sometimes it is nice to just have some downtime.  Our staycation wasn't without any fun though.  We love "field trips" with our kiddos and we'd heard tons of great things about Consolidated Gold Mine in Dahlonega.  

We've actually been trying to get to this destination for over a year now and last Friday was finally the day.  After literally being stuck at home due to bad storms, we were happy the sun was shinning and the weather was gorgeous for our putting.  

Dahlonega is located just a little over an hour north of Atlanta and is a very easy drive.  It was well worth the drive, too!  We pulled up with very excited kiddos and they couldn't wait to find some gold! 

The boys started picking up gravel rocks in the parking lot and claiming some of them were gold.  Then they were all about the map showing where original gold mining took place in North Georgia. 

We bought our gold mine tour tickets and after watching a short video showing the history of gold mining, our miner tour guide led our group into the old mines.  It was like walking into a cave and we had to go down several flights of stairs and steep ramps. 

Because of the low hanging rock edges hard hats were provided for everyone, which we just loved!  It made us feel very official. 

Due to the steps, ramps and tight quarters, strollers were not allowed so if you have a baby, you'll want to wear them in some sort of sling, front or back carrier. 

The mines were very cool and we were told it stays like that year round.  Also, there is a lot of moisture and water so it can get muddy.  We all wore our rain boots and were so glad we did! 

During the tour, our guide shared more history including some of the tools that were used in the mining process.  It was pretty interactive and they let the kids assist in different demonstrations, which they thought was fun.  

After our tour, we celebrated the fact that we made it in and out of the mines with all 6 kids!  A field trip requiring hard hats could have been bad, but it was great. 

Next up was time for what the kids really wanted to do...find gold.  With each tour ticket you are given one pan of sand (and potentially gold)!  A short video demonstrates how to use the water to help pan for gold.  

The kids did great and after you have just a little bit of sand left in your pan these nice miners help finish up and point out/package your gold for you in tiny test tubes.  

Each of the kids had between 1 and 3 TINY flecks of gold.  Some of them were expecting a golden nugget and others were thrilled with their findings.  You almost needed a microscope to see the flecks, but they were excited and felt rich with real gold!

Because they had so much fun panning for gold, we decided to give the gemstone mining a whirl, too.  We bought a bucket and that was enough for 2-3 kids to share.  The bucket is filled with a variety of gemstones that are mixed into dirt/sand. 

The kids sit at a sluice (channel of running water) and scoop the sand into their framed screens.  As the water washes away the dirt and sand the gemstones are left behind.  

They absolutely LOVED this activity and it was probably their favorite part of our day.  Many of their gems were colored stones and different types of rocks, but some a few lucky ones got giant ones like this! 

We left with a few flecks of gold, some pretty neat gemstones, and the idea that we had hit pay dirt!  They all said they wanted to come back again and they were exited to trade with one another and compare all of their findings.  

Before heading home we stopped by the historic downtown area and grabbed lunch at a local place.  Because the only thing more precious that gold and gemstones...Mexican food.  

This outing was a real treasure!

A Sweet Mother's Day

We hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day! Mother's Day is always a special day for me. Not because my family does anything over the top to celebrate, but because is a sweet reminder to me that I was blessed to be these two little people's mommy. An opportunity for a short period in my life that I didn't think would ever happen, and an opportunity that a lot of women wish they could experience. I am so thankful everyday that The Cutes are in my life. 

On Mother's Day we woke up without any specific plan, and I wanted to do a little fun with my family to enjoy the gorgeous summer-like weather we have been having. We brainstormed a few ideas over breakfast and decided to head up to Blue Ridge, GA to revisit one of our fall favorites, Mercier Orchards. They have strawberries currently in season, and the idea of restocking on some of those delicious baked goods had my mouth watering. 

We loaded up the car and made our way up the highway, and once we arrived I took in a nice deep breath. Ahhh....there it was! That magnificent aroma of fresh air and scrumptious apple cinnamon donuts. It was going to be a great day!

We made our way into the main building and purchased our baskets for the u-pick. Then we had a short wait for the tractor to take us to the strawberry fields, where Cute was kind enough to put on a little show for all the other waiting patrons. Apparently the strawberry basket we were provided was means for artistic inspiration.  

The tractor ride was a huge highlight for The Cutes. We rode for about five minutes or so, and they were in complete awe. I am guessing they didn't recall this part from our fall visit. The ride gives you a small view of the orchard and it is beautiful! We turned a corner and saw the strawberry fields and they weren't lying when they said they had A LOT of strawberries. 

Immediately everyone was excited about this little adventure and The Cutes didn't waste anytime taste testing the varieties of strawberries Mercier's had to offer.  

One of the employees instructed us on how to pick the strawberries. He informed us that the strawberries came in late this year, but when they arrived they came in huge and plenty. He also informed us to look for the ones with a white tip and to leave those to grow for a little longer. 

He wasn't lying...there were a TON of strawberries. The Cutes took their job quite seriously. Well Little Cute took her job of eating quite seriously, and Cute took his job of filling his basket quite seriously. I loved seeing them frolic amongst the strawberry field together. It almost made me wish we owned a farm. Almost. 

I think Mr. Cute and I had just as much fun as the kids. We did our fair share of taste testing and Mr. Cute picked strawberries like no other. Before I knew it our baskets were starting to fill. 

And surely Little Cute's belly would pop if she kept up this pace. As quick as we could put them in a basket, she could eat them. 

It was great fun, and after about an hour we had three huge baskets full of strawberries.

We made our way back to the main area via tractor with our full baskets and one would think full bellies, but no. We couldn't visit Mercier's without eating in their yummy restaurant, and stocking up on some of those baked goods. You think we would pass that opportunity up?

Once you were able to officially roll us out of there, we piled back up into the car and satisfyingly made our way home. I spent the rest of the day enjoying my little family and my two sweet blessings and then we celebrated my mom with a fun cookout at my house. The kids stayed up way too late and ate even more strawberries than one would think was humanly possible, but I couldn't bear to let the day end. It was definitely one of the sweetest Mother's Days ever!

How did you and your family celebrate Mother's Day? 

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The Tellus Museum

Last week we were on spring break while the rest of Atlanta waited until this week to plan their spring break. We took advantage of the beautiful weather and low chances of large spring break crowds, and made our way to some of our favorite Atlanta attractions. 

I love our city and all it has to offer. We visited Zoo Atlanta, a local favorite park, the movies, and a few other fun stops, but one of the biggest hits of the week was the Tellus Museum. 

Tellus is located about 45 minutes north of Atlanta, and is kind of a hidden gem. Each time we have visited we have had a blast and it is never ever ever crowded. 

The grounds of Tellus are quite impressive and are beautifully manicured. They also have an event pavilion that is wonderful for taking a break or bringing a picnic lunch. 

The moment you walk into Tellus you are greeted with interactive exhibits. Even at the ticket counter young minds become awed at the sight of the large pendulum, and steps beyond become immersed in a world of dinosaurs that once roamed. 

The museum is split into four major rooms (The Collins Family "My Big Backyard", The Weinman Mineral Gallery, The Fossil Gallery, and Cars to Space), with a few smaller interactive rooms for special exhibits, a planetarium, and a cafe. 

Our first stop was The Fossil Gallery. The displays were every little boys dream, and as tempting as the large bones were to a inquisitive little mind attached to just as inquisitive little fingers, don't fret. There are plenty of exhibits and interactive displays for kids to their touchy-feelys preoccupied. 

"Hey brother...you are totally touching dinosaur poop!"

After checking out all of the fossils both big and small, we made our way to the Cars to Space gallery. Cute is obsessed with space and rockets and could have spent all day in this exhibit. He was so excited to see that he could get in "a real big boy space suit." 

The gallery has a number of rocket replicas, space suits, and even a moon rock, which by the way, is extremely pretty! I wish I had taken a picture. 

The gallery featured transportation of every kind. From bikes, to flights, to cars and trains. Needless to say Cute was in heaven.

For our third stop we decided to check out the "My Big Backyard" gallery. This gallery was the most interactive for children and a huge hit amongst my two. There is a little bit of everything in the gallery. Little ones can learn about nature, sound, light, and a few animals. It also featured the special exhibit "Brain Teasers 2", which featured a number of puzzles and games to challenge minds of all ages. Trust me...I was definitely challenged.

The gallery also features fun mirrors. Look! I have finally reached my dream of being tall and skinny! I could have stayed there all day...

After I had stared at myself long enough, our crew made it over to the Cafe for lunch. I order a hamburger and french fries because....well because skinny mirrors. A girl has to maintain her curves, right? Lunch was easy and there was plenty of seating. There were a few things pre-made and then there was a made to order section.

Once everyone was refueled we made our way to The Weinman Gallery. I think we were all impressed with what we saw. Everything was just so pretty!

Having been refueled though, The Cutes needed to get out some energy so we regrouped and headed towards the Mining section and the Dinosaur Dig. Cute loved digging for gem stones, and as a bonus was so excited when they let him keep a few. 

Little Cute seemed a little young for this activity (read she would get waaaaaayyy to wet and mommy wasn't down for that), but when we moved onto the Dinosaur Dig she was all about helping uncover some fossils. Cute was a blur as he learned you were also able to keep a fossil from the Dig and was desperately trying to find the "most perfect one in the whole wide world." 

Then this started to happen and we were out. 

Pretty sure this "sand" was some magic edible dinosaur sand, but Little Cute isn't one to turn down a snacking opportunity. 

Once I had extracted all "sand" from LC's mouth we made our way back to the Weinman Gallery. I am so glad we did! 

We were able to see the "Jeweled Objects of Desire" exhibit that is on special loan from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History until November. The exhibit features many unique pieces from famed designer Sidney Mobell. Mobell designed unique pieces for many powerful individuals including Queen Elizabeth and Walt Disney. 

I am pretty sure Little Cute was drooling over that diamond encrusted gold paci. 

But like daughter, like mother. If this oval cut Fluourite doesn't qualify as drool worthy, I don't know what does. 

Our last stop was to the Solar House, but I was too busy asking questions to take a single photo. Trust me it is not something to miss if you visit. 

The Tellus Museum has tons more features that we will have to see upon our next visit. The Cutes hit their max and we had to wrap up our day of exploring. 

If you are located in Atlanta, or plan on visiting the area soon definitely try to work The Tellus Museum into your plans. You won't be disappointed. 

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