Our Journey Westward » Field Trips

A Thanksgiving Getaway

Cindy — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:16:23 +0000

My 87-year-old Granny isn’t well. She lives in Alabama with my aunt and uncle who are doing a wonderful job caring for her. We were so blessed to be able to visit, along with most of the rest of my extended family, for a Thanksgiving reunion.

We took the opportunity on the way home to take a three day I-65 mini-vacation. First stop, Birmingham. We visited the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, which is a wonderful walk through the Civil Rights battles of the 20th century. Photos weren’t allowed in the museum, so I don’t have any to post. You’ll have to trust me that it’s an excellent field trip if you’re ever near Birmingham! We also walked through the Kelly Ingram Park just across the street from the museum and viewed the outside of the 16th Street Baptist Church where four children were killed during a violent bombing by the KKK in 1963. Unfortunately, we also had the opportunity to view several homeless people in the area, too.

Second stop, Huntsville. I can’t tell you how much all of us from the two-year-old to the 39-year-old enjoyed the US Space and Rocket Center! Real rockets, hands-on exhibits, life-size models, demonstrations, 3-D and IMax films, three rides, a playground, a rock climbing wall and more kept our attention from open to close. This is a trip my children will talk about for quite some time!

Third and final stop, Franklin, TN. It’s a beautiful little town with lots of character! I wish we could’ve spent more time touring and meandering, but a Civil War reenactment was taking place at the Carnton Plantation and that took up most of our day. Plus, the troops were beginning to wear down and we knew too much more touring and hotel hopping would send them (and us) into grump city – a place we didn’t want to visit!

Sorry for the picture-intensive post. I hope it didn’t slow down your computer too much!

Frankfort Field Trips

Cindy — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:33:50 +0000

In case you don’t know, Frankfort is the capital of Kentucky. It’s also where I grew up and where my family still lives. There is a wealth of field trip opportunity in Frankfort from government to history to museums and more. We’ve been trying to make it a habit to go on a quick field trip or two when we’re in for an extended visit with my parents.

This week’s trips were finished before lunch, but both were great fun!

Fort Hill

Fort Hill is a Civil War battlefield where remnants of earthen forts remain. Earthen forts are walls of dirt that were built to protect soldiers from the penetrating weapons of their enemies.

The soldiers didn’t always live inside the fort. Their more permanent, albiet rustic “homes” were just outside the fort. The soldiers only stayed inside when under attack.

Many remnants also remain of a rock wall where soldiers hid from oncoming bullets as they fired back at their enemies.

The fort was built on a hill that overlooked most of Frankfort at the time. You can see just how far they could see from the main vantage point.

The parks department has been excavating in the fort recently. There was an early 1900′s house on the property and they located the owner’s dump pile. I included this picture because we have also located an early dump pile on our farm. As we dig new garden space each year, we find new treasures like bits of old pottery, china, medicine bottles, jars and the like. It’s very interesting!

We also found some unsually camera-friendly little friends on our way out!

Rebecca Ruth Candy Factory

So we could say we got in a little science (and because we wanted free candy samples) we headed downtown to the Rebecca Ruth Candy Factory.

We weren’t allowed to take pictures on the tour, but it was great fun seeing how candy is made and packaged. Is their chocolate worth the very expensive price tag? Hmm…On some days I would say “YES!” Most days, though, I think not.

The tour costs $2.00 for adults, but children are free. It only lasts about 15 minutes, so it’s a very easy tour to fit into your schedule if you’re in Frankfort for other visits. Oh, and you don’t need a reservation. Just remember they don’t give tours during lunch hours.

Living Arts and Science Center Field Trip

Cindy — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:51:00 +0000

It just so happens that we’re studying chemistry this year AND the Living Arts and Science Center has a special exhibit open called Invisible World: The Beauty of Microscopic Life. Perfect!

Observing prepared slides of all sorts.

Completing a scavenger hunt of the hands-on exhibits.

Making our own pond water slides for the microscope.

Guessing what items are magnified.

Do I look any bigger to you?

Magnifying letters using various unconventional tools.

Fingerprinting with pencil lead and tape in order to observe the prints under hand-held microscopes.

We visit the LASC every year. They do a wonderful job with hands-on learning!

Why I’m Cleaning Today

Cindy — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:07:00 +0000

I’m considering this one of those impromptu fall break days. My house is a wreck. Really. With all the busy fun we’ve had over the past several days, the house has suffered greatly. So, today is a cleaning day. No school – except for those all important life skills called chores. Sadly, the house is in such disarray, I’m afraid we won’t even be able to scratch the surface in one day. How does that happen so quickly? Anyway, here’s a peak into what’s been keeping us busy…..

I forgot to take pictures when visiting with my friend Dawn on Friday. She’s a treat to be around, and if you’re a homesteader, you’d drool over her chicken area. Look for an article by Dawn on entrepreneurship in the upcoming Old Schoolhouse Magazine!

Also on Friday, we attended a benefit chili supper hosted by Nancy to support the Hopeful Farm Foundation. I met Claire Novak, who is a very sweet gal! Above is a video of Eli dancing to the bluegrass band that was there.

Saturday was spent at the Preston Court Days. It’s a HUGE yard sale/antique sale/flea market event that takes place every year. You can’t tell from the picture, but we were there for seven hours and didn’t see every booth!

And Sunday was our church’s annual trip to the pumpkin patch. It’s always great fun!

The camera didn’t pick up the brilliance of these pumpkin colors. The first was bright red and the second was almost a robin’s egg blue. Beautiful!

Field Trip Journals

Cindy — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:17:00 +0000

Remember the Field Trip Journals? We’re still using them this year and I couldn’t be happier with them. They are proving to make great writing assignments, and I’m finding the kids absolutely love looking through them for the memories. I love to watch the kids sort through brochures, ticket stubs and pictures trying to decide what to include and how to organize the memories. They’re going to make wonderful keepsakes!

Field Trip Fun

Cindy — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:33:00 +0000

For those of you who know Melissa from blogging, consider yourselves blessed. But, if you’re lucky enough to know her in person, how much more blessed you are! It was such a treat to spend time with her last week. Not only that, she took on all three of my children while I spoke at the THINK meeting AND hosted us overnight so we didn’t have to drive home late. Thank you, Melissa. I know I owe you one for sure! (Toddlers who know how to escape out of the house are so much fun, aren’t they??)

On our way home from Melissa’s Wednesday morning, I spied a sign for Big Bone Lick State Park. It had been so long since we’d been there, I decided to take an impromtu field trip. This is a place where bison, mastadons, wooly mammoths and the like came for salt many years ago. Of course, that means Native Americans and explorers found their way to the area as well. We even found (and smelled) a sulphur water spring that became a supposed “healing water” hot spot in the early 1800′s. If you can’t tell, the water is almost a creamy white coming out of the spring.

Answers in Genesis has really helped me to be prepared to speak to my children about ”millions of years” when we’re at a place like Big Bone. Nearly everything we read talked about the animals roaming the land 300 million years ago, when SO MUCH proof was right in front of our eyes that pointed to a world-wide flood. Imagine, they found fossils of sea-like creatures smack-dab in the middle of Kentucky?? Imagine, large deposits of salt were found in Kentucky?? I’m so proud that my children can point out the obvious. They do listen to me!

Notice the tape measure in the two pictures above. Caleb just happened to bring along a tape measure and binoculars on our trip. When I asked him why in the world he would have packed those things (not having a clue we were going to do any sort of nature study), he said, “Well, you never know when they might come in handy.” Indeed they did! (I wonder what else he had packed!!)

We were again blessed later in the week when my parents took care of the kiddos and hosted us overnight so I could talk at the CACH meeting. On Friday, we were able to talk my Dad into a tour of the lab in the hospital where he works. We’re studying Christian Kids Explore Chemistry this year and seeing all the lab equipment, chemists and live “experiments” in person turned out to be a great visual for the kids. (My dad used to be the lab manager and I remember spending many a day watching all the lab techs do their work. I only wish the lab were as safe now as it was then. I was probably over-protective, but I didn’t want to take any chances with all the lovely things hospitals deal with now-a-days.)

The coolest part by far was the pathology area. The pathologist was in and gave the kids an awesome look into his world. We watched him dissect gall bladders, tonsils, colon polyps, knee shavings and more. He even offered the kids a chance to open up a gall bladder. I think the picture below shows their answer best.

Okay, so I might not have a pathologist in the family, or a med tech, or anyone who goes remotely near a hospital on purpose. God knows what He has in store for them and I’m excited to see what awaits!

We had a busy week, but it was a good one! And by the way, Happy Birthday, Daddy!!

And thank you VERY much THINK and CACH for allowing me to come visit with your groups. You are both full of very friendly and encouraging ladies (and gentlemen.) It was a complete joy for me to share my heart with you. )

Why Am I Tired?

Cindy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:40:00 +0000

Could it be from a full day at Kentucky KIngdom yesterday?

Or possibly shucking, washing, parboiling, cutting off the cob and freezing 150 ears of corn today?

No related posts.

Cookie Baking, A Live Nativity and A Christmas Light Drive

Cindy — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 16:29:00 +0000

Saturday was chock full of Christmas memory making. Baking cookies and treats for co-op teachers was first on the list. We made little trays for each teacher with pretzel and nut bark, strawberry jam thumbprint cookies and candy bar topped shortbread. We, um, needed to make extra batches since the first kept disappearing. Hmm, how’d that happen??

My Mom and Dad came for a visit, too! They were very good to keep Eli busy. He loves to “help” me in the kitchen, but he has no idea that he really is no help at all!

A local church hosted “A Journey to Bethlehem” this weekend. What a wonderful experience it was, with cookies and hot chocolate to warm us afterward! Kim, you guys and gals did a spectacular job!! I pray many will come to know the true meaning of Christmas and be led to The One through their “journey”.

Since we were already out, we finished off the night with our annual Christmas light drive. We always start the trip in McDonald’s drive-through ordering large fries for everyone. Then, we munch and drive around town casting votes for the best decorated houses. I believe this might be the most treasured of Christmas traditions in the eyes of my children!

Sorry for the lack of pictures. Our camera won’t take pictures in the dark anymore. Hopefully, we’ll be able to upgrade soon.

Our Field Trip Notebooks

Cindy — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:29:00 +0000

After coming back from Michigan with 100 pictures, several brochures and tons of memories, I racked my brain for a practical way to put it all together. Then I remembered Sheri’s blog and the notebooks she uses with her Five In A Row studies. Perfect!

I found the 10×10″ spiral notebooks in the scrapbooking section at Walmart. The covers are plain and colored, so they will decorate nicely when we get around to it. Inside, there are 50 card stock, archival quality pages just the perfect size for a memories journal.

I copied several pictures from the trip in wallet size. Then, gave the kiddos the pictures, some brochures, scissors and glue sticks, and let them have at it. The only thing I asked was that they write some of their memories on each page. How’s that for a secret writing lesson?

They loved this “assignment”! We all agreed that we should try to do a page or two for each of the field trips we take this year. What a great keepsake these will make!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Cindy — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 19:28:00 +0000

Whew! It’s finally time to slow down for awhile. I went a little hog wild in the planning-fun-activities department this past month. If I could see any white spaces on my calendar, I filled ‘em up. June will be much better, well at least it looks that way right now! I see lots of beautiful, blank white spaces on my calendar!

Even though it was busy, we did have a lot of fun! We visited the KY Fish and Wildlife Department’s fish hatchery. While we were there, one of the conservation officers took the kids out into the creek located on the back of the property for some way cool creek exploration.

We toured the Ale-8 Bottling Company. Sorry, this picture is really blurry.

We had great fun at our field day.

Of course, there was the Creation Museum.

We went to a Legends baseball game and met Barney Fife!

Mahayla had the opportunity to be a judge’s runner for a Dressage Show at the KY Horse Park.

We went on a nature scavenger hunt with some homeschooling friends.

Not to mention LOTS of T-ball games!

And Eli learned eat food and suck his toes. Okay, that’s not busy stuff, but the pictures were too cute to pass up.

Busy Boxes