We have had two weeks of field trips and Science fun. We have been filling our days with Science Fair projects and History. The past two weeks have gone by so fast and have been extremely fun and exhausting for all of us.
We have been on the go and on the know.
I will post about Science projects another day but be prepared for a magnetic experience, with creepy crawly things that will bring energy from the sun into your day.
Our first field trip was the ballet where we experienced storybook history. The kids have a hard time understanding the writing of this time period but enjoy the crazy antics. We have tried to find an abridged version or video that goes along with the ballets we attend. We find them much more interesting when we know what is going on and why it is happening. For Don Quixote we relied on the great story telling of the Wish Bone book series.
The ballet has been an awesome experience for all of us. The kids have enjoyed seeing a story told with dance. They were surprised at how much can be said without saying a word. We will definitely be signing up for the ballet again next year.
Our second field trip was a celebration of the Chinese New Year. This field trip was for the benefit of a Boy Scout requirement, now that I have a smart handsome Boy Scout. We signed up for the school day activities and participated in crafts and watched the arts of their culture. It was a fun day and the Chinese Cultural Center is beautiful.
Our third field trip was a celebration of Arizona's 99th birthday. We went to the Arizona Pioneer History Museum and explored the history of AZ before it became a state. I was surprised at how much history is packed into that place. We learned so much and enjoyed the sites and gun sounds of the day.
There is no privacy in these parts. Even Kendal is straining herself to get a good
look at the creepy guy using the can.
Maggie and Kendal are trying to get a good look at the prisoners of war.
Like father like son!
(Watch it Witty Gal you may be crossing the line with this one.)
We loved the Victorian House, it was so beautiful and the antiques were incredible.
The Black Smith offered a lot of good historical facts about tools, horses and electricity.
The inside of a school house, it's been a long time since we have seen one of these.
The shoot out.
Q and A: Was it girls against boys?
Yes! Girls were shouting kill the boys and the boys were shouting kill the girls. I am so glad they had a gun safety lecture before the show.
Was the acting good?
No, however I appreciate the volunteer work these fine people do.
Was their any kissing?
There was fake kissing, AKA making out, by the Sheriff and the town hooker. I wanted to barf!
Was it loud?
Ask Maggie, she was very serious when she said, "That was not worth the noise!"
Who won?
Despite the actual reality of the era women prevailed.
The whole show was actually extremely mind boggling, seriously you could really loose your head.
After the show we made a little stop at the bank.
 |
| And then the jail |
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And then the Gallos
(morbid I know, Matthew's idea) |
and then the church
And this is where we ended up.
Makes you wonder what we did at the bank, DON'T IT?
Our fourth and last field trip was to the Estrella Wars. Wow, what a trip into an entirely different world. There were hundreds of families that stayed for the entire week dressed in their time period garb. Matthew was convinced that we could just put up a tent and fit right in. We decided to explain to him why that wouldn't work for us when he gets a tad bit older or at least until we were out of ear shot of the mass of people carrying weapons.
This was actually a wonderful learning opportunity. They had booths set up with volunteers to show and tell about the life and arts of the Renassance. I was very impressed with the authenticity and seriousness of character that was involved in this event. I have to admit the idea of dressing up and pretending was really speaking to my inner child.
The wars were just as it states, "WARS", with men and women dressed in battle suits swinging weapons around and hitting each other. I have to say the idea intrigued me, maybe Matthew is right we could fit in, I could get rid of a years worth of aggression and built up agitation in a week.
Here is a list of some of the things that we encountered: Falconery is such and interesting art. A big turn off though when you find out how much time you have spend with the bird.
We spoke to a pioneer women who spoke much about her position in her community and restrictions of her position as well as fun facts.
Making your own yarn from a sheeps dirty crapped on wool. Very interesting! How to turn it into a beautiful purple by squishing up bugs and boiling them and how unspoiled kids would use their free time to spin yarn.
Black Smithing was a fun art to observe. The kids had lots of questions and enjoyed watching.
The art of baking bread and cooking in stone ovens.
We learned about the weapons and the gear of battle.
We observed horses and jousting.
Fencing was fun to watch but Matthew was a bit upset that he couldn't participate. Truthfully I think we would all have liked to poke someone with a sword a few times.
And then there was the actual war. From a distance we saw them WACKING each other and dirt flying. When we went over to watch they were having some kind of face off with a castle and it was hard to see. Very serious stuff!
We all were looking forward to sharing one of these.....
I have had such a great time with the kids during the past two weeks of "not at home school". However, each trip has sucked the energy clean out of me and I am looking forward to a nice quiet week of home school.
Just in case you are wondering I did have a favorite field trip. It was absolutely without a doubt the best one of the bunch. For what reason did I like it the best? Well, because MY LB came with us of course. We wouldn't have been a complete "SUN DRAGON FAMILY FROM THE SURPRISE REALM IN THE KINGDOM OF ATENVELDT" without him.
