Sheep Dog Trial

A few weekends back, Mike took the bigs to a sheep dog trial to watch the working dogs do their thing. They had a great time and learned so much about those smart collies. R had packed a picnic lunch, so they ate in a beautiful park and did a little exploring before calling it a day. Once again, they enjoyed the blessing of perfect spring weather. Good times with Daddy.

Texas State History Museum

We had the opportunity to visit the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, and we had a blast! What a fun and exciting way to learn the history of our state. 

We started the morning with an exciting 4-D experience in the Texas Spirit Theatre. Then we moved on through 3 floors of interactive timelines, huge maps, and life-sized heroes.  Along the way there were mini movies that all brought Texas history to life. 

For a very special treat, we lunched at the Story of Texas Cafe in the museum, then spent the afternoon finishing up the story of our amazing state. We just had one day for our field trip this time, but we could have easily spent two days soaking it all up.

They don't allow photos inside the museum, but I snapped a few before we entered.  We can't wait to go back.

Capitol Trip

We had a chance to visit the Texas Capitol in Austin. And we take advantage of those field trip opportunities whenever they present themselves, even during summer vacation! I hadn't been to the capitol in many years, and I'd forgotten what a beautifully magnificent place it is. We had a wonderful time examining memorials all over the grounds, looking down from the top of the amazing rotunda, and exploring everything in between.

An added bonus was the bus ride to and from. There are no pictures of that excellent adventure because I couldn't hold a camera then. We were much too busy trying not to get separated at the bus stops or get pitched out the door of the speeding bus. I was also fumbling with a map the entire time trying to figure out why we kept getting further and further away from our destination. In between, we held on for dear life and looked for fillings that were knocked loose as we jolted over Texas-sized pot holes. 

My country kids had been absolutely thrilled with the idea of riding a big city bus through downtown Austin.  But it wasn't quite what they expected. They were great sports about it, but I think that ride will hold them for a good long while. Me, too.

Zoo trip

We had a field trip to the Cameron Park Zoo last week and had a blast. The weather was absolutely perfect for us; that means it was cool and breezy enough to keep the insects like mosquitoes and wasps and bees away. Both of the boys are bug magnets and are terribly allergic, to the point that I carry Benadryl and an Epi Pen everywhere with us. So the bugs were kept at bay, and eldest and I just dealt with the bad hair.

I guess the wind kept the zoo visitors at bay, too, because we had the place to ourselves! We took as long as we wanted reading signs and filling out charts and maps I'd printed off for the kids. They classified animals as native or exotic, then labeled a world map to show where different animals are found.  Then they played with a few other kids at the zoo park. 

Learn

"Come forth into the light of things. Let nature be your teacher."

William Wordsworth