Pinewood Castle

More Field Trips

Have you ever been to a Cabela's? It's like a zoo without the stink and doubles as a sporting goods store. We took a tour with a local homeschool group. Did you know they had to take the elephant apart to fit him in the door?

 

Another destination was downtown Minneapolis. We took in a performance of Hansel and Gretel at Orchestra Hall, shortened up and modernized for kids.

I really would not mind seeing the vocalists in traditional German dress instead of sloppy grunge with a backwards baseball cap. The pigeon-toed posture and was also irritating. And the angels with heads of forest animals? Creepy. Whatever happened to traditional beauty? Sorry to gripe. The music was beautiful, especially Humperdinck's Prayer. There were many more references to God and angels and faith in this opera than what we usually read in a storybook version.There, is that better?

And the annual Macy's display, which was basically the same as last year's. "Back by popular demand" the flier stated. It was still fun, and a long walk through the skyway is always an educational experience.

Franklin Exhibit - Electrifying Activities

Thanksgiving weekend we went to this:

Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World

Exhibit on view through July 4, 2010 at the Minnesota History Center

The exhibit was fantastic. The opening weekend activities were even better.

We bound a little almanac for 2010 in the style of Poor Richard's -

The children operated a period (replica?) printing press to create a cover for their almanac -

The kids sported a complete look after constructing chenille stick spectacles and a folding printer's cap -

Ben Franklin himself meandered through the marbled halls fielding questions -

And he performed some electrifying science experiments, demonstrating the fire protection his lightening rod offers -

No photography was allowed in the exhibit hall, but I can vouch that the display is very well done and worth seeing if your kids are old enough to have read about Ben Franklin. We had just squeezed in the D'Aulaire's Ben Franklin and three of the Liberty Kids DVDs before attending. (I hear that Ben and Me is a worthwhile read as well).

So get ready, this exhibit may be coming to your town next. The schedule on the MHS site lists:

Santa Ana, California

Dec. 16, 2010 – Mar. 13, 2011
Bowers Museum

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Apr. 14, 2011 – July 31, 2011
Heinz History Center

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Sept. 2, 2011 – Jan. 8, 2012
Gerald Ford Museum

Washington, D.C.

Febr. 10, 2012 – May 6, 2012
National Archives

The Apiary

I did it - I finally got out of the house for something besides Mass and music lessons. Not that I am feeling that much better. But it helps to get my mind off of my tummy.

After pulling out The Magic School Bus: Inside a Beehive, the children were all bushed up on the not-so-secret life of bees and ready to enjoy a 2nd annual trip to our local beekeepers, this year organized through a local homeschool support group.

We enjoyed a demo of a beebox (modern day hive) without having to morph into bees like the Magic School Bus children.

Flower props and a bee costume brought the pollination process to life.

Inside we were able to see the honey extracting equipment and the children formed a long line for candle dipping.

We are now stocked up on local honey and wax for candle making!

Sugarbush Time

At the Nature Center we learned . . .

That maple trees have elbows in them.

Maple trees are not tapped until they are 40 years old.

It's called a "spile" and the sap that comes out is flowing UP the tree not down.

40 gallons of sap = 1 gallon syrup

My children loved the syrup "on the rocks"!

They wanted 2nds and 3rds and 4ths!

On Tap this Weekend

No, it's not green beer!

Green Goodness juice perhaps!

I would love nothing more than to have the time to write a few really good blog posts this weekend. I've packed things a little too tightly.

Yesterday:

• Stopped by chiro for a weigh-in. I am going to put away my inaccurate home scale. It says I gained a pound but I really lost one. I am still losing fat pounds and lowering BMI. Not very quickly but this plateau won't last forever, right Renee?!
• Took Dancer to the dentist in the cities. Two baby teeth were pulled (eeesh) to make room for braces and headgear. I held her hand but had to look away for most of it.
• Stopped by the church where she was baptized for a short visit.
• Treated her to a shake from Ben & Jerry's.
• Stopped for an oil change at the dealership that took over an hour. Long line at the car wash I guess.
• Came home to reconnect with the littlest one and check progress of the kids left with Dad who worked from home. I missed Tricia's call. Sorry Tricia! Let's try again!
• Took toddler grocery shopping with me. Gathered things like beef stew meat, pistachio pudding, buttermilk and Guinness stout (for stew) for Tuesday's menu. Also steak & potatoes to treat dh on his name day Thursday!
• DH made salmon loaf while I was away. Heaps of praise!
• Forgot to do stations at home. Oops.

Today:

• Take the kids to try out a 4-H event. Would 4-H would be a good option over scouts for next year?
• Run to the library for St. Patrick materials.
• Come home for lunch.
• Go down to Orchestra Hall to hear the Suzuki graduation concerts. Our kids do not graduate this year, but I thought they might like to know what to expect for next year. Motivating too I hope.
• Date night movie - previewing Man on Wire before showing it to the children. Our FIAR book this week was Mirette on the High Wire.
• Stations at home.

Tomorrow:

• Get a chicken in the crock pot.
• Quick Sunday breakfast.
• Load the CD player with Irish music.
• Get out the St. Patrick's Day decorations.
• Go to St. Agnes for Mass.
• Hop over to the Irish Music and Dance day.
• Come home to eat and plan the school week. St. Patrick's Day, St. Joseph's Day, a trip to the Bakken Museum of Electricity, a Maple Syrup Festival and Laetare Sunday next Sunday.

THE BEST PART:

A whole week above freezing!

Weekend Rambles - Irish

Last Sunday we had illness going through the family and missed the Passport to Mexico program at the Landmark Center. I am hoping we are well enough this weekend to make the Irish Music and Dance Day.

A 2-day celebration of all things Irish for the whole family!

• Traditional Music     • Dance Schools   • Dance Groups
• Vendors / Exhibitors   • Tea Room   • Traditional Food
•  Great Activities for all ages!
(Tuesday only:)  • Childrens Cafts   • Childrens Stage
(Sunday only:)   • Open set & Ceili Dancing
• Special Music series in the Weyerhaueser Auditorium

Swan River

Reading: The Trumpet of the Swan

Visiting:

Swan Park

 

Fishing Firsts

Sunshine's wish came true! She redeemed her ice fishing certificate from A Catholic Harvest just in time before the lakes thaw. A big thanks to Paula's generous husband is in order - he was the one who took them out on the lake. The non-fishing children stayed in to play while we ladies sipped coffee and had a great visit!

Weekend Rambles

Coming up this Sunday at the Landmark Center in St. Paul - Urban Expedition to Mexico. This event is FREE.

The purpose of Urban Expedition is to have FUN and to LEARN! Enjoy a chance for your family to experience international music, dance, arts & crafts and more without leaving St. Paul . Kids get a passport and enjoy authentic cultural experiences from around the world. Last year over two thousand children and their families attended the five expeditions and this year promises to be even more exciting.  These free, public events will take place in the Musser Cortile and begin at 1:00 pm.
No lines! No jet lag!

Weekend Rambles

I hope some of y'all Twin Citians made it to the Scottish Ramble. Maybe you were there Saturday?

Sunday was the day our family took it all in. Without a single drop of Scottish blood between us, I marvel at how enamored we are with this festival!

Here are the highlights:

The Thistledown Dancers performing in the cortile of the Landmark Center

 

The Highland Dancers - sorry I did not get a photo, but I borrowed this one -

My new favorite local musician Ross Sutter singing songs from his Songs for Children CD

Ross Sutter this time with  Laura Mackenzie - she is playing the quieter indoor Uillean bagpipes here

 

Sunshine narrating the story of Wee Gillis to the master storyteller Sir Gustav Doc'tain

 

Dino acting in Sir Gustav Doc'tain's storytelling session

The Macalester College Pipe Band

My favorite shortbread of all time and a local company - Bramblewood Cottage. I love the orange chocolate chip and the lavender-ginger versions. We will be serving these for our next teatime!

Other Scottish fare we enjoyed were the Scotch Eggs, Haggis with Tatties & Neeps, Babies' Head and Cheese & Onion Pie.

If you feel you missed out take note of the date of the Minnesota Scottish Fair and Highland Games Saturday May 9th.