Our First Official Group Field Trip...

Last year we weren't exactly what you would call involved, but this year my goal was to get involved with other homeschoolers. I think we are doing a good job and having fun at it. This was our first official field trip. We went with our group to Traveler's Rest to their trade days to see how people used to make things. I'll be honest and say that we really kind of went around on our own so so much for the involvement! We had the absolute best time though, including me!

This is the beautiful old house we got to tour. Jackson is really interested in Andrew Jackson because they share a name. It was fun to see where he stayed when he came to visit.

They had several hands on crafts. I have always wanted to know how to make a corn husk doll. They actually fairly easy.
Jackson was even able to adapt his to be a boy!

We learned a lot about bees and were able to find the queen bee. Do you know how long they live?

There was a huge group of kids watching the musket demonstration. However, after the noisy discharge only boys were left :)

I was absolutely fascinated by the soapmaking.Ashton, not so much...

We got to write with feather quills. I was awful. The kids were pretty good.

They really enjoyed getting to help do the pottery wheel. I was just sad there were so many kids so I was unable to try :(

It was freezing, but it was awesome to do something with just my 2 big kids. It is so exciting for me who as a child begged to go to every historical house in 3 counties see my kids enjoy history as well. We honestly could've stayed hours more if we could feel our extremities! In fact, they were wishing their daddy could take off and take them back the next day because they knew he would've loved the gunsmith and arrow heads. This event is something we will definitely do again. We love field trips!

Field Trip???

Jackson and Ashton woke up to find Daddy at the door (on a work day) holding an envelope with this puzzle they had to work (which Mommy made a little too hard!):

When they finally worked it, they were excited to see it said, "We're going to Chattanooga for 3 days, go get in the car!"

We had a great time at the Aquarium. It was amazing how many things we were able to see and review that we had studied this year. My son loves petting stingrays more than anything in the world I think!

I definately took advantage of all the teachable moments possible. It was a lot different than before we homeschooled although we were always teaching things, I am much more purposeful about it now. I love that!

Another great Dodd trip and wonderful learning opportunity to boot!

Twin Tot School #4: Discovery Museum Style...

We had Tot School at one of my favorite places the Discovery Museum in Chattanooga. The boys enjoyed it immensely. That place is absolutely wonderful. They could have played in the water area all day long:

Wesley has an absolute obsession with vacuum cleaners. When he found this one in the little playhouse area, he never let go of it and even took it up into the tree house with him!

Everything is so cute. Not surprisingly, Will loved the painting part!

I really wish we had something like this closer to home. We could go here every week. What great Tot School that would be! I was really wishing we had a school room at home so I could incorporate some of their activities in it, wishful thinking! Still, it was a great day, and I can't wait to take them back!

One Awesome Field Trip...

The big kids and I headed off to a great field trip Friday at the Frist Center for Visual Arts in Nashville. We saw a great exhibit on medieval art. It was really interesting and great to show the kids how all art revolved around the Bible! It was also really cheap. Since I'm a teacher I got a yearly membership for $20 and kids are always free.

However, the best part by far is the upstairs art adventure where kids can go from station to station creating all different kinds of art. It was amazing! I think there were over 30 different things they can do. They both really enjoyed the sketching station. Jackson did a pretty good job drawing the figure. Ashton just drew pretty hearts.

This was my favorite station (parents can create too and I did!) where we created illuminated manuscripts.

We also got to learn about the art of printing.

I highly recommend trying this place out. We can't wait to go back and try out some new art!