Field Trips

Remember when you were young and field trips were the best things ever.  There was no better was to spend a school day than on a field trip.  Alek and Nina both had field trips last week and although they were good, they made me more tired than I care to admit.  Maybe it's just because it was a busy week.  Regardless, my kids love their field trips as well. 

 Alek at the Grand Rapids Public Museum in March.  

 He looks far too old in this picture I think.  

This is from the field trip of all field trips.  The one that we have been talking about since the beginning of the year.  Nina was so excited to be going to Lansing, our state's capital.  We got to ride on a tour bus, that may have been the best part for some of them.  We watched movies, ate snacks and there was even a bathroom.   Seriously, that was all that she was talking about for the whole week before.  I'm glad she was so excited and am even more glad that she had a great time when she went.

Nina's 3rd grade class minus one friend.  She's in the back with just her head poking through.

 Sitting on the glass block floor under the dome and in walks the governor to say hello to the class.  Only Nina's class "met" him and it was a fun memory.

 Looking up at the dome from the 2nd story railing.

 On the floor of the house with our representative.  You have to be invited in by your representative and of course they have to not be in session.  Mr. MacGregor was nice enough to bring us in and talk to the kids for a few minutes.  In the Senate, we were able to sit up in the balcony and were introduced by our Senator to the assembly.  Cool for the kids to see government in action and to be recognized themselves.

 Nina and her good friend Abby in the house.

 After we toured the capitol, we went to the museum that gives a timeline of Michigan events.  This was from the covered wagon days and Nina is sitting with Rachel, her friend for many years.

Next field trip was to Meijer Gardens to look at the butterflies.  Every year they turn the tropical area into a butterfly garden for 2 months in the spring.  There are hundreds of butterflies and it was wonderfully warm inside there.  If only I could have stayed.  Here's a picture of a couple butterflies including the blue morpho.  Always a beautiful sight.

Alek's class trying to stay warm outside.  It was super windy and none too warm.  April in Michigan has not been kind this year.