field trip to Botanical Gardens

field trip to Buddy Squirrel

YUM! This was a fabulous field trip. Great to see how everything was made - plus the ladies in the gift shop gave us samples. They were so nice to our group. It really made the trip wonderful! The field trip was for all ages. Some factories don't allow smaller children -- but they have a nice viewing area with glass windows to see into the factory area where the product is made --- yet keeps the children back and away from the machines and any danger. 

Here is part of our group. We were all asked to wear the hair nets - don't they just scream 'high fashion'! 

I don't know how these ladies manage to NOT sample as they work!

This is the machine that puts the marks on top so you can tell what type of candy it is in the box. Each of the various varieties have a different mark on top. 

Here they are boxing up the candies. 

This machine wraps cellophane and seals it shut around the individual candy bars. It is hard to see but the candy bars are on the tray in the front portion of the picture. 

They also make a cheesy popcorn that is made with real Wisconsin cheese. It is yummy --- we got a sample at the end of the tour. 

zoo class

Our local zoo has wonderful classes and they are simply wonderful to homeschoolers. We really appreciate them. And the classes are so affordable. This class is for 1st through 4th graders. It was called Animal Body Coverings and it taught them to distinguish the types of coverings that mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish have.

field trip to the museum

Our local museum has a butterfly exhibit and my kids just love it. It never gets old for them.

They love that the butterflies will land on them.

Class at Botanical Gardens

We split up into a younger kids class and an older kids class.

The older kids class was 'Wild about Wisconsin' and in it they learned about native plants. Plus they learned how the native plants provided food, medicine and homes for the Native Americans as well as the early settlers.

The younger kids class was Autumn Magician. They used all their senses to explore the smells, sights and sounds of nature. It was very interactive and fun.

After the classroom instruction, we walked out into the gardens. The gardens were still full of color. They were beautiful.

This is my middle child! Isn't he adorable!

We finished up back in the classrooms to make paper helicopters!

Painting Pottery - shhhhh it's a secret

Each year, we look for wonderful projects that can become meaningful Christmas presents for the Grandparents. We like them to be something made by the kids but still something that will be useful or decorative for their home. This year, I came upon a great idea (if you are one of the Grandparents - stop reading!). We went to Touch of Glaze. Each child picked out a piece that they felt was something the intended Grandparent would love. Then, they got to paint the piece. It was fired and we picked them up the following week - and they turned out just fabulous. I really think the Grandparents will love them.

The kids really loved doing this project and want to go back again.

Roman Centurion Re-enactment

Talk about a great event for boys! Wow! Did they love this one! A friend from church is really into history and does re-enactments. One of the best things is the fact he lets the kids TOUCH! How cool is that! All the swords, armor, shields - they loved it!

Doesn't he look just thrilled to be with all the armor and weapons!

He just loved the sword!

Yes, the sword was the thing!