Field Trips 2016

This post is dedicated to my dear friend who plans all of our field trips for our homeschool group. We leave the house much more often because of her. Thank you, Emily.

February

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The moms planned a Valentine’s Day party for the kids. So much fun!

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There were some pretty creative Valentine boxes out there. I am pretty proud of Jack’s bag and Lucy’s backpack.

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Some crafts and activities with friends.

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The fellowship and food was great. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Next this month was a beginner sign language class. I’m not sure how much baby sign language was retained by my two.

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And the last field trip for February was a class on winter animals at the Outdoor Campus.

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Craft Time!

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She really loves stuffed animal of all kinds.

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feeding the fish

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March

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Here the kids worked in groups to create their own “roller coasters” for the Roller Coaster Science class. After assembled, a marble was sent down to test the ride.

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The next trip was a computer demolition class. The boys were all over this one. I think it was Jack’s favorite so far.

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April

While Jack took a beginner programming class at the library for the older students, Lucy joined an art class for her age group.

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They also learned how to use the computers at the library to look up books and play games.

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Next we took another class at the Outdoor Campus about birds and bird watching.

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Apparently, due to allergies, Crisco has replaced peanut butter for pinecone bird feeders.

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bird necklace craft

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hanging her feeder

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And at the end of April, they attended a Junior Achievement course that taught about community basics like economy, voting, and being a good citizen.

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May

Our only trip in May was to the rock quarry in Sioux Falls. So. Much. Quartzite.

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We couldn’t leave the bus so this was the only picture I managed to get.

August

We managed to make it to two trips in late summer. The first one was a hospital tour in town.

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touring the new ambulance

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The second trip was a pontoon ride at Split Rock Park in Garretson, SD.

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We passed bat caves, bald eagles, and Jessie James’ old hideouts.

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September

And our first field trip of the 2016-2017 school year was to the Pioneer Village in Worthington, MN. Lucy had to wear her pioneer bonnet bought earlier this summer at the Alamo.

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in the one room schoolhouse

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wood working old school

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The old dentist room was creepy.

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But not as creepy as the antique doll.

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It’s going to be a fun year!

Let’s Go to the Mall! (of America)

Doug decided to be spontaneous last week and demanded we get away for the weekend. Since living here, we had yet to make the short trip over to “the cities.” Saturday we loaded up the van and made the rainy drive to Minnesota. Before we left, I discovered that some dear Oklahoma friends were at a work conference in Minneapolis! We met them for dinner and also met sweet, funny Henry for the first time.

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The Wilsons!

After dinner, we made our first visit to Ikea. I was overwhelmed. The kids stayed up 3 hours past their normal bedtime enjoying the hotel pool. And since church is a pretty big deal to us, we woke them up bright and early to attend a worship service at Eagle Brook Church. The kids absolutely loved the children’s church there and I loved sitting with Doug on a Sunday morning.

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After church, we headed to the Mall of America. I had visited once a long time ago, but for everyone else, it was their first visit.

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We spent most of our time at Nickelodeon Universe.

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the ride wasn’t moving yet

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Daredevil Lucy even went on one of the roller coasters with Doug.

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Lucy’s favorite store-much to her father’s chagrin.

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note: new pack of Pokemon cards

Jack’s favorite store-much to his father’s delight.

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After the mall, we went back to Ikea to pick up some new homeschool storage items and then headed home. We definitely enjoyed our first visit to Minnesota and the quality family time.