The older kids all worked together on this massive tower. They wanted to let the baby (who was not quite two yet) crash it down, but the moms were a little concerned too much of it would fall on her head. So we gave the four year old demolition duty. Some of the other kids thought he wasn't destructive quickly enough.
Showing posts with label field trip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label field trip. Show all posts
Monday, June 1, 2015
Fun at the Science Museum
This video is from a field trip we took with some friends to a science museum back in November.
The older kids all worked together on this massive tower. They wanted to let the baby (who was not quite two yet) crash it down, but the moms were a little concerned too much of it would fall on her head. So we gave the four year old demolition duty. Some of the other kids thought he wasn't destructive quickly enough.
The older kids all worked together on this massive tower. They wanted to let the baby (who was not quite two yet) crash it down, but the moms were a little concerned too much of it would fall on her head. So we gave the four year old demolition duty. Some of the other kids thought he wasn't destructive quickly enough.
Monday, October 28, 2013
A Field Trip
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| Ready to Learn (or to play with chalk) |
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| Trying out the historical swing |
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| Bad guys behind bars |
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| Ready for a trip |
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
What I Loved About Last Week (42nd Ed.)
1. Last week, First Son became an alter server. He served daily Mass four times and is now ready to serve on a Sunday, though I think it'll be September before he gets on the schedule. He was so very excited! I absolutely loved how he would leap out of bed when we went in to wake him so he could eat early enough.
2. We ate lunch at Taco Bell to celebrate First Son's first day serving Mass. (Mainly this was because it worked out for us to be in town during lunch in between errands, but he was pleased.)
3. Second Daughter and Second Son both had well-child visits last week. Both are healthy and doing well. Second Son seemed to finally figure out the doctor was not actually going to hurt him. He still cried, but there was a measurable decrease in his agitation over the course of the visit.
4. I took the kids, all of the kids, on a number of errands last week. No one hyperventilated. No one had a panic attack. No one called the authorities. I was very pleased. Stressed, but pleased. (Anyone who has taken four children between two and eight on errands involving school supplies, superstores, clothes, doctor's offices, and a hobby store will understand the stress.)
5. Included in our errands were two trips to the library, conveniently located for the times I needed something to occupy us for just a little while between appointments. First Son asked about getting a library card, so we did. The three older ones all have cards now and gleefully used the self-check-out for two books each.
6. Second Son "read" Blue Hat, Green Hat. The rendition was recognizable and adorable.
7. Second Son has also started joining in with our Litany of Saints during evening prayer. He'll sing, "Pway fo us!" (The older kids also taught him to sing "St. Elmo" in the Litany, which is hilarious and I do dearly pray for St. Elmo to forgive any disrespect. I hope he has a sense of humor...)
8. We took our annual back to school field trip last week. This year we decided to go to the Oklahoma Aquarium to see the sharks. It was a bit of a drive, but the kids handled it well and I think they had a great time. They may even have learned something.
9. Kansas Dad and I finished week 7 of P90X. We're more than half-way done - only six weeks to go!
10. Yesterday was our first day of school! That explains why "What I Loved About Last Week" is a day late; I was too busy gathering materials on Sunday night to finish the post. It was a good day! First Daughter had a fabulous reading lesson (meaning she didn't cry or make me cry) and First Son handled the day rather well.
2. We ate lunch at Taco Bell to celebrate First Son's first day serving Mass. (Mainly this was because it worked out for us to be in town during lunch in between errands, but he was pleased.)
3. Second Daughter and Second Son both had well-child visits last week. Both are healthy and doing well. Second Son seemed to finally figure out the doctor was not actually going to hurt him. He still cried, but there was a measurable decrease in his agitation over the course of the visit.
4. I took the kids, all of the kids, on a number of errands last week. No one hyperventilated. No one had a panic attack. No one called the authorities. I was very pleased. Stressed, but pleased. (Anyone who has taken four children between two and eight on errands involving school supplies, superstores, clothes, doctor's offices, and a hobby store will understand the stress.)
5. Included in our errands were two trips to the library, conveniently located for the times I needed something to occupy us for just a little while between appointments. First Son asked about getting a library card, so we did. The three older ones all have cards now and gleefully used the self-check-out for two books each.
6. Second Son "read" Blue Hat, Green Hat. The rendition was recognizable and adorable.
7. Second Son has also started joining in with our Litany of Saints during evening prayer. He'll sing, "Pway fo us!" (The older kids also taught him to sing "St. Elmo" in the Litany, which is hilarious and I do dearly pray for St. Elmo to forgive any disrespect. I hope he has a sense of humor...)
8. We took our annual back to school field trip last week. This year we decided to go to the Oklahoma Aquarium to see the sharks. It was a bit of a drive, but the kids handled it well and I think they had a great time. They may even have learned something.
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| First Daughter took our picture |
9. Kansas Dad and I finished week 7 of P90X. We're more than half-way done - only six weeks to go!
10. Yesterday was our first day of school! That explains why "What I Loved About Last Week" is a day late; I was too busy gathering materials on Sunday night to finish the post. It was a good day! First Daughter had a fabulous reading lesson (meaning she didn't cry or make me cry) and First Son handled the day rather well.
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| First Son - first day of third grade |
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| First Daughter - first day of kindergarten |
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| Second Daughter - four years old and causing trouble |
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| Second Son - two years old and wants in on the fun of picture time |
Monday, April 23, 2012
What I Loved About Last Week (28th Ed.)
1. This article about Father Kapaun, a Servant of God from Kansas.
2. First Son begged me to read the third part of Jason and the Argonauts in Classic Myths to Read Aloud. (I refused. I've found it's good for him to have at least a few lessons he can happily anticipate in the coming week.) I was particularly happy about his response to the myth because it seemed every other lesson that day went badly. And we even skipped math!
3. Big Truck Night, even if Second Son cried the whole time.
4. Playing with friends at the church playground on a beautiful afternoon with a surprise visit by Kansas Dad.
5. My last Catechesis training class of the year - It's been great, but I'm ready for a break.
6. The thank you note we received from First Son in the mail. His PSR teacher had all the students write one - what a wonderful idea!
It's hard to read in the picture, so here's what it says:
8. Next week is week number 32 in our homeschool year. We're in the final four weeks!
Next week is a big one! We've got our last soccer practices, our final day of basketball camp, our final choir rehearsal before the concert, our final Catechesis class followed by a family picnic, our last story hour, our last two soccer games, our last Sunday School class and our choir concert. Sometime in there I'd like to make some loaves of cranberry nut bread to present to all the wonderful people who have been leading all those activities and we must bake two dozen cookies for the concert. And those pesky homeschooling lessons, too. Whew. I'm tired just thinking about it, but I'm looking forward to feeling overwhelmed by free time when all these activities are finished!
2. First Son begged me to read the third part of Jason and the Argonauts in Classic Myths to Read Aloud. (I refused. I've found it's good for him to have at least a few lessons he can happily anticipate in the coming week.) I was particularly happy about his response to the myth because it seemed every other lesson that day went badly. And we even skipped math!
3. Big Truck Night, even if Second Son cried the whole time.
4. Playing with friends at the church playground on a beautiful afternoon with a surprise visit by Kansas Dad.
5. My last Catechesis training class of the year - It's been great, but I'm ready for a break.
6. The thank you note we received from First Son in the mail. His PSR teacher had all the students write one - what a wonderful idea!
It's hard to read in the picture, so here's what it says:
Dear Mom and Dad
I wanted to thank you for... giving me a rosary, and a crusefix. I also wanted to thank you for helping me prepere for first confeshon. I relley want to thank you for prepereing me for first comiunoun.
Love [First Son]7. First Daughter's donut. I don't know why, but she colored it, cut it out, and proudly presented it to Kansas Dad.
8. Next week is week number 32 in our homeschool year. We're in the final four weeks!
Next week is a big one! We've got our last soccer practices, our final day of basketball camp, our final choir rehearsal before the concert, our final Catechesis class followed by a family picnic, our last story hour, our last two soccer games, our last Sunday School class and our choir concert. Sometime in there I'd like to make some loaves of cranberry nut bread to present to all the wonderful people who have been leading all those activities and we must bake two dozen cookies for the concert. And those pesky homeschooling lessons, too. Whew. I'm tired just thinking about it, but I'm looking forward to feeling overwhelmed by free time when all these activities are finished!
Monday, December 5, 2011
What I Loved About Last Week (12 Ed.)
1. This week I pulled out an old exercise tape. This is one I originally used back in 2001 and have used off and on in all the years since. I never remember it being easy. Well, this week it was easy! Despite knowing the entire tape by heart, I was shocked when it ended. I guess all that time with the Wii Fit has been doing some good after all. (Not having lost significant weight or inches, I must take my successes where I find them.)
2. We met some good friends for a playdate at the zoo this week. It's been a while since we were there and it was very fun to see Second Son enjoying himself.
3. Peppermint marshmallows. Enough said.
4. A Small Miracle by Peter Collington. We read it this week and Oh! How I love it!
5. I love how much children love Advent. They are excited each day for our picture book, for the new magnet for our fridge Nativity, to light the candle on the Advent wreath at dinner, to prepare for the feast days. Second Daughter doesn't remember last Advent (being only two at the time) and the older two love to tell her exactly what to expect.
6. Etsy - I ordered something for the first time ever from Etsy. It was easy, the site was beautiful and I found the perfect gift.
7. Video of Second Son. I think this video is from May 2011, so he's about ten months old. I found it while going through my pictures.
8. Video of Second Son last week. We're not entirely sure what he's doing here, but we think he's shooting "guns." First Son has been playing "Hero Factory" which involves saving the world from bad guys who shoot some sort of weapon. Second Son wants to play along.
9. Dishwashers that work. Kansas Dad washed all the filters on our water softener. It took a while, but the cleansing finally worked its way to the dishwasher.
Take a deep breath. Next week we have St. Nicholas's Feast Day, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, First Son's birthday party, First Son's First Reconciliation, and First Son's actual birthday. Somewhere in all that we're going to have some lessons, too. I make no promises to post What I Love About Last Week on time next week, but I do promise there will be much to love!
2. We met some good friends for a playdate at the zoo this week. It's been a while since we were there and it was very fun to see Second Son enjoying himself.
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| He doesn't have mittens! Maybe he'll get some for Christmas. |
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| A very pretty picture of First Daughter |
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| First Son pausing for a picture |
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| Second Daughter in her furry coat |
3. Peppermint marshmallows. Enough said.
4. A Small Miracle by Peter Collington. We read it this week and Oh! How I love it!
5. I love how much children love Advent. They are excited each day for our picture book, for the new magnet for our fridge Nativity, to light the candle on the Advent wreath at dinner, to prepare for the feast days. Second Daughter doesn't remember last Advent (being only two at the time) and the older two love to tell her exactly what to expect.
6. Etsy - I ordered something for the first time ever from Etsy. It was easy, the site was beautiful and I found the perfect gift.
7. Video of Second Son. I think this video is from May 2011, so he's about ten months old. I found it while going through my pictures.
8. Video of Second Son last week. We're not entirely sure what he's doing here, but we think he's shooting "guns." First Son has been playing "Hero Factory" which involves saving the world from bad guys who shoot some sort of weapon. Second Son wants to play along.
9. Dishwashers that work. Kansas Dad washed all the filters on our water softener. It took a while, but the cleansing finally worked its way to the dishwasher.
Take a deep breath. Next week we have St. Nicholas's Feast Day, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, First Son's birthday party, First Son's First Reconciliation, and First Son's actual birthday. Somewhere in all that we're going to have some lessons, too. I make no promises to post What I Love About Last Week on time next week, but I do promise there will be much to love!
Monday, October 24, 2011
What I Loved About Last Week (6th Ed.)
1. Second Son's sixth tooth came in. I was hoping we'd get a break from the grumpiness but he's still chewing on his hands constantly so perhaps more are on the way. Baby teeth are adorable, aren't they?
2. I just love second grade. First Son is a much more diligent, focused child than last year. We don't always finish everything I plan for the day, but we usually do and often with very little whining, once we get started. He even cheerfully told his grandma he couldn't come outside to play because he wasn't done with his lessons yet. (We did finish early so he could play outside with everyone else.)
3. First Son reading along on my Kindle as we've started A First Book in American History
. I have a free version downloaded on PDF on my laptop in which the brief definitions of some of the words appear at the end of the chapter. In the Kindle edition
, they appear just after the word defined. First Son will often interrupt to interject the definition. This behavior may be frustrating before we finish the book, but now I love it because it shows he's paying attention even when it seems to me that he's not even looking at the Kindle. (As a side note, I'm tying his narrations for this book and the chapters are a bit difficult for him to narrate very well. He did like how the sailors wanted to throw Columbus overboard, though.)
4. Pumpkin patch field trip - everyone should have one every year. Second Son picked a baby pumpkin, but rolled it off the trailer before we made it back to the van. He didn't seem to mind too much.
5. After our faith formation class this week, which only meets once a month, two other moms and I chatted for over an hour while our children played in the wet grass and on the playground. The children were wet and muddy before we left, but it was a beautiful fall day and I loved watching them play and talking with my friends.
6. Watching Second Son walk around outside. He loves to walk and walk and walk. He's fascinated by the borders between sidewalk and grass. He'll often step on and off the sidewalk over and over again.
7. Second Son also loves the slide. He doesn't understand why it ends or why he has to be lifted to the top or has to climb the stairs to the top. He just wants to slide down and down and down. His laugh is wonderful.
8. Parties! A housewarming for Second Son's godparents who have moved near-by and a birthday party for a sweet little girl who has a new baby sister I was able to hold for a while.
9. Second Son's scratched up face. Well, I suppose I don't really love that he fell on his face and got all scratched up (especially as I had been intending to take some 15 month pictures), but I do love how the bumps, bruises and scratches of toddlers speak to their increasing independence and forays into the world beyond Mama's reach.
What did you love about your week?
2. I just love second grade. First Son is a much more diligent, focused child than last year. We don't always finish everything I plan for the day, but we usually do and often with very little whining, once we get started. He even cheerfully told his grandma he couldn't come outside to play because he wasn't done with his lessons yet. (We did finish early so he could play outside with everyone else.)
3. First Son reading along on my Kindle as we've started A First Book in American History
. I have a free version downloaded on PDF on my laptop in which the brief definitions of some of the words appear at the end of the chapter. In the Kindle edition, they appear just after the word defined. First Son will often interrupt to interject the definition. This behavior may be frustrating before we finish the book, but now I love it because it shows he's paying attention even when it seems to me that he's not even looking at the Kindle. (As a side note, I'm tying his narrations for this book and the chapters are a bit difficult for him to narrate very well. He did like how the sailors wanted to throw Columbus overboard, though.)4. Pumpkin patch field trip - everyone should have one every year. Second Son picked a baby pumpkin, but rolled it off the trailer before we made it back to the van. He didn't seem to mind too much.
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| A very messy Second Son after his cookie snack |
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| The kids and the pumpkins |
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| Second Son and his pumpkin |
5. After our faith formation class this week, which only meets once a month, two other moms and I chatted for over an hour while our children played in the wet grass and on the playground. The children were wet and muddy before we left, but it was a beautiful fall day and I loved watching them play and talking with my friends.
6. Watching Second Son walk around outside. He loves to walk and walk and walk. He's fascinated by the borders between sidewalk and grass. He'll often step on and off the sidewalk over and over again.
7. Second Son also loves the slide. He doesn't understand why it ends or why he has to be lifted to the top or has to climb the stairs to the top. He just wants to slide down and down and down. His laugh is wonderful.
8. Parties! A housewarming for Second Son's godparents who have moved near-by and a birthday party for a sweet little girl who has a new baby sister I was able to hold for a while.
9. Second Son's scratched up face. Well, I suppose I don't really love that he fell on his face and got all scratched up (especially as I had been intending to take some 15 month pictures), but I do love how the bumps, bruises and scratches of toddlers speak to their increasing independence and forays into the world beyond Mama's reach.
What did you love about your week?
Monday, October 3, 2011
What I Loved About Last Week (3rd Ed.)
Illnesses (kids and mine) kept me from posting anything much last week, but I was determined to get a few pictures up for Monday. Here are a few things I loved about the last week.
1. Kid's Eye Views - While going through the pictures on my camera, I found a few from our trip to Medicine Lodge. I had let the kids take turns with my camera while we waited for the parade to begin. There were about ten pictures of the road.
2. Second Daughter's paten - In Atrium, the children can use tracing paper to trace alter items. Second Daughter doesn't quite understand how it works. She always just colors in the item with markers and then cuts it out. This past week, she also cut it up and glued it onto another piece of paper as a "puzzle." I should take a picture of that because it's adorable.
3. Missing Teeth - First Son lost his sixth tooth last week. He's always so excited. Of course, he doesn't understand that only two more little baby teeth stand between him and orthodontics. Sigh. But he's still cute. (By the way, he's wearing some deer antlers he made while we were learning about how Native American hunting techniques, found in More Than Moccasins
. This is the project First Son selected for our unit craft.)
4. Outdoor projects, especially those overseen and documented by Dad. First Son is learning about rivers this year, so he and First Daughter built a mountain then doused it with water to see how the water would change the shape of their mountain.
5. Second Daughter as Doctor to Elmo (sometimes called Baby Felicity)
6. My kids are currently 7, 5, 3, and 1. I just like that. It will only last for a few months before First Son turns...8!! Can it be? 7.
7. Dinner with Grammy and a visit to our children's museum on a members only night to see a new traveling exhibit that included a squid dissection.
8. Second Son waking on Saturday morning and not crying. I could hear him jabbering away to himself in his crib.
9. First Daughter's baptism anniversary - The more we celebrate these, the more I love celebrating them. The birthday celebrations are full of planning, food, friends and craziness. The baptism celebrations are quiet but the kids still look forward to them. They love lighting the candle. Their faces are just as flushed with pleasure when we pray for them as when they are hearing a roomful of friends sing "Happy Birthday." I am also finding I like the little gifts we give. They are (so far) quiet inexpensive, but I feel like they are growing our faith. First Daughter received one of Brother C.S.C Ernest's books newly republished by Mary's Books, A Story of Saint Therese. I think she'll be able to read it herself before too long, with help. St. Therese's feast day is First Daughter's baptism anniversary. She's also a favorite saint here on the Range.
10. Lion sandwiches to celebrate the feast of St. Jerome, after reading St. Jerome and the Lion
.
11. Watching soccer games - First Son has improved tremendously. First Daughter made two goals.
What did you love about last week?
1. Kid's Eye Views - While going through the pictures on my camera, I found a few from our trip to Medicine Lodge. I had let the kids take turns with my camera while we waited for the parade to begin. There were about ten pictures of the road.
2. Second Daughter's paten - In Atrium, the children can use tracing paper to trace alter items. Second Daughter doesn't quite understand how it works. She always just colors in the item with markers and then cuts it out. This past week, she also cut it up and glued it onto another piece of paper as a "puzzle." I should take a picture of that because it's adorable.
3. Missing Teeth - First Son lost his sixth tooth last week. He's always so excited. Of course, he doesn't understand that only two more little baby teeth stand between him and orthodontics. Sigh. But he's still cute. (By the way, he's wearing some deer antlers he made while we were learning about how Native American hunting techniques, found in More Than Moccasins
. This is the project First Son selected for our unit craft.) 
4. Outdoor projects, especially those overseen and documented by Dad. First Son is learning about rivers this year, so he and First Daughter built a mountain then doused it with water to see how the water would change the shape of their mountain.
5. Second Daughter as Doctor to Elmo (sometimes called Baby Felicity)
6. My kids are currently 7, 5, 3, and 1. I just like that. It will only last for a few months before First Son turns...8!! Can it be? 7.
7. Dinner with Grammy and a visit to our children's museum on a members only night to see a new traveling exhibit that included a squid dissection.
8. Second Son waking on Saturday morning and not crying. I could hear him jabbering away to himself in his crib.
9. First Daughter's baptism anniversary - The more we celebrate these, the more I love celebrating them. The birthday celebrations are full of planning, food, friends and craziness. The baptism celebrations are quiet but the kids still look forward to them. They love lighting the candle. Their faces are just as flushed with pleasure when we pray for them as when they are hearing a roomful of friends sing "Happy Birthday." I am also finding I like the little gifts we give. They are (so far) quiet inexpensive, but I feel like they are growing our faith. First Daughter received one of Brother C.S.C Ernest's books newly republished by Mary's Books, A Story of Saint Therese. I think she'll be able to read it herself before too long, with help. St. Therese's feast day is First Daughter's baptism anniversary. She's also a favorite saint here on the Range.
10. Lion sandwiches to celebrate the feast of St. Jerome, after reading St. Jerome and the Lion
.
11. Watching soccer games - First Son has improved tremendously. First Daughter made two goals.
What did you love about last week?
Sunday, October 24, 2010
One Down, One to Go
First Son has informed us that he absolutely must see a T. Rex skeleton and a Triceratops skeleton. And it is our duty to provide him these opportunities.
So we visited a local museum on September 25th, taking advantage of Smithsonian's Museum Day. The kids had no idea how close we were to dinosaurs and were properly impressed. They have a T. Rex skeleton and even have casts of the claws and teeth for the kids to handle.
Of course, First Son informed me that the Triceratops was just a skull, so we still need to find a complete skeleton for him. Anyone live near one and want to host us for an extended field trip?
So we visited a local museum on September 25th, taking advantage of Smithsonian's Museum Day. The kids had no idea how close we were to dinosaurs and were properly impressed. They have a T. Rex skeleton and even have casts of the claws and teeth for the kids to handle.
Of course, First Son informed me that the Triceratops was just a skull, so we still need to find a complete skeleton for him. Anyone live near one and want to host us for an extended field trip?
Thursday, August 26, 2010
My Small Successes XXXIII
2. On Sunday, we joined in our local homeschool groups back-to-school party, though Kansas Dad and I were both feeling a little stretched. It was worse for him since I just didn't bother trying to finish everything for our first day of school, but he couldn't really skimp on anything for his classes which started this week. We'll think of the first week as "half-days" if we don't finish everything.
3. Our first day of school was Monday! We've been moving along very well, despite Second Son's best efforts to demand I focus entirely on him.
Of course, I was hoping to have pictures to share but they're all still on the camera...I suppose we mustn't be too successful.
Head over to Faith and Family to read more Small Successes!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Out and About
Last week we had two trips away from home. I feel like I'm still catching up on the laundry, but I think it was worth it. (Not that we made more laundry, just that Wednesday and Friday tend to be big laundry days on the Range and I wasn't here to do any of it.)
Last Wednesday, we met some friends for a delayed trip to the zoo. It was still cool and gray, but the rain held off until the drive home. One of the tigers was pacing.
Second Daughter has no fear of wandering off. First Daughter kept asking her, "Are you sure this is appropriate?"
Then, on Friday, we had the opportunity to visit our dear friends at Blessed Nation Ranch for a farm field trip. We saw chickens, cats, a dog, pigs, bulls, cows and a calf. Not to mention running around with all the kids. First Son especially adores their oldest son, who is so gracious and wonderful when playing with the younger kids.
First Son even milked their cow a little. He's still talking about it. (First Daughter was invited but declined.) I was chasing Second Daughter around. First Son also followed a bunch of the kids into the coop and came out with an egg. I'm so glad he'll be ready to do the collecting when our hens start laying!
Second Daughter loved the chickens. She loved all of it and would have wandered their yard all day, but it was a little chilly so we spent some time inside.
We did not make it home in time for naps. It was after 3 pm before we finished lunch, so I had to start packing up again right away to go to a family fun night at Kansas Dad's university. First Son loved the slide most of all.
Oh yeah, he looks ready for bed, don't you think?
No naps, junk for dinner, candy (cotton and otherwise) and lots of bouncers and games. It was a great night.
Last Wednesday, we met some friends for a delayed trip to the zoo. It was still cool and gray, but the rain held off until the drive home. One of the tigers was pacing.
Second Daughter has no fear of wandering off. First Daughter kept asking her, "Are you sure this is appropriate?"
Then, on Friday, we had the opportunity to visit our dear friends at Blessed Nation Ranch for a farm field trip. We saw chickens, cats, a dog, pigs, bulls, cows and a calf. Not to mention running around with all the kids. First Son especially adores their oldest son, who is so gracious and wonderful when playing with the younger kids.
First Son even milked their cow a little. He's still talking about it. (First Daughter was invited but declined.) I was chasing Second Daughter around. First Son also followed a bunch of the kids into the coop and came out with an egg. I'm so glad he'll be ready to do the collecting when our hens start laying!
Second Daughter loved the chickens. She loved all of it and would have wandered their yard all day, but it was a little chilly so we spent some time inside.
We did not make it home in time for naps. It was after 3 pm before we finished lunch, so I had to start packing up again right away to go to a family fun night at Kansas Dad's university. First Son loved the slide most of all.
Oh yeah, he looks ready for bed, don't you think?
No naps, junk for dinner, candy (cotton and otherwise) and lots of bouncers and games. It was a great night.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Our First Field Trip
On September 21st, the kids and I took Papa and Gram with us on our first homeschool field trip. We met some other families from our playgroup at the local botanical gardens for Monarch week. We prepared for our visit by reading a book from one of my favorite series, Are You a Butterfly?
by Judy Allen. We have not been disappointed by any of the Backyard Books
. We also read Becoming Butterflies
by Anne Rockwell. We read other books on butterflies, too, but these were my favorites: engaging illustrations and informative text and stories for the young crowd on the Range.We were pleasantly surprised when the public tagging demonstration including a tagged Monarch for each family. Here is our butterfly (a male):
We can go online in the spring and see if they found him in Mexico. Gram spent some time showing First Son Mexico on our globe and he was impressed. He's been planning trips to Mexico, California, Canada and New York ever since.
In honor of Monarch Week, a butterfly house graces the gardens. We spent a good bit of time there, though the kids weren't anxious to hold any butterflies.
They did find a corner with crayons and butterflies to color. (I was thinking to myself we could do that at home, but I think they enjoyed coloring with their friends.)
Then we spent some time exploring the gardens. It was a little drizzly, but no one seemed to mind. I hadn't been to the gardens before and thought they were wonderful. I know we'll plan on some more trips. I think going with our playgroup was perfect, too, because the kids did a lot of running. At this age, inducing physical exhaustion in the children is an important goal of field trips. I like to think we made a good impression, too, on the volunteers there, even if they didn't know we were a homeschool group.
Originally, we had planned a picnic lunch, but after the party and with my parents in town, I let the rain dissuade me. We ended up eating out with my folks, which is always a treat. The restaurant had United States place mats the kids could keep and they were so excited it was funny. First Son was reading off the state names for us all through lunch. Second Daughter napped for the first half of lunch and then was grumpy until bedtime, but these things happen.
All in all, a successful field trip!
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