I've been around...

Where have I been? Around. Just not around the computer, I guess. Now that the computer isn't in the Family Room, I just...forget about it more. 

We took a (relaxing) vacation to AZ, where the kids swam every day, several times per day. 

We've gone on some field trips. This is the Place Heritage Park is shown below. 

Mostly, though, we're just following our homeschool routine, while my belly continues to expand. I'm quite round, actually. Ask my doc. Baby is poised to about 9 pounds, and apparently I'm at the upper limit of fluids in there, too. So, until Christmastime, I'm doomed to waddle.

I do have some things to say, though. Don't I always? And new books to review. So, I'll still be around. And next time I waddle into the office, I'll drop in to say hi.  :)

Sub Zero Ice Cream Field Trip

Our Sub Zero Ice Cream field trip was AWESOME. Honestly, it was up there with my favorites. Playing with liquid nitrogen was exciting and educational...and something I never would have attempted with the kids at home...even if it didn't cost hundreds of dollars.

The manager, Royal, gave each group a small bowl of liquid nitrogen, which was placed inside a bigger stainless steel bowl. Everyone took turns touching it. You have to be quick. If you touch it too long, it will hurt, and then freeze your finger off...literally.

We froze some little candies and marshmallows and then threw them to make them shatter.

This picture was right after Bubs spilled liquid nitrogen on himself. Um, yeah.

Did you know that liquid nitrogen boils below room temperature? It's crazy! While it sat there in the bowls, it slowly rose to a boil...although it was still cold, of course. 

When we were finished, we just poured the bowls of liquid nitrogen out onto the floor. They didn't even leave a wet spot, the liquid just vanished.

Then, we got to the kids' favorite part of the field trip...Eating! They ordered mint with gummy bears and strawberry with gummy bears. Mmmm.  :)

At the end, I gave Royal a donation jar to keep there for their baby that needs heart surgery. My heart was warmed by all the generosity I saw. Thanks, everyone!

It was a great success! If you missed it, and you live near a Sub Zero in AZ, ID, or UT, definitely go check it out. Better yet, if you're in the Provo area, go support Royal and Jenn.

Book Review: 15 Minutes Outside by Rebecca P. Cohen

15 Minutes Outside: 365 ways to get out of the house and connect with your kids by Rebecca P. Cohen

There is probably a guide for just about everything with 365 ideas. Usually they don't interest me very much.

This title caught my eye, though, because who doesn't want to spend more time with their kids outside?

Unlike most 365 idea guides I've seen, I pretty much read this one straight through. It is packed with motivation for getting the family out into the sunshine (or rain or snow).

Rebecca Cohen decided to take her children outdoors every day for a year. The results were better than she expected. They created hundreds of positive family memories and the kids learned to get along better.

Her ideas are simple and easy and done with things most people have around the house. They are organized by month and day. The book is geared toward parents with young children.

A few of the ideas that stood out include...

January 21st: "Stage a Flashlight Drama Outside. If you have flashlights and glow sticks at home, your kids can stage a fantastic outdoor display after the sun goes down."

September 18th: "Make Time for Reflection. On occasion, I will suddenly notice a beautiful reflection of puffy clouds in a window I pass by on the street, or my kids will notice their reflection in my sunglasses. Raindrops, puddles, or a nearby pond or a creek offer beautiful reflections too. Play a game where you count how many reflections you can see...The kids can draw pictures of their favorite reflections."

October 7th: "Create then Hide Pumpkin Faces...Each child pains a face on her pumpkin. Then, take and print photos of each face or draw quick renditions on paper. While the kids are busy with snacks, hide the pumpkins. Give each child the picture of their pumpkin that they need to find."

Field Trips, Part 2.

Scheduling

1. Call the venue where you want to go in advance. Some places require a lot of notice, and some aren't ready far in advance. Your best bet is to call a month or more before, and then if they don't plan that far out, you call again as the desired date approaches. Be open to their schedule if possible. Be prepared with an estimate of the number of participants. Ask about group rates/field trip rates.

2. Give everyone a calendar of scheduled events, and then remind them as the field trip approaches. On the schedule, be sure to include the name of the venue, the address, the date and time, the price, and any other important info. Also include your contact info in case they get lost or need to cancel.

3. When my kids were little, I led a playgroup. Every other week was a field trip, while the alternating weeks were park days/play dates in homes. It was a great experience, but the field trip costs added up. I tried to incorporate as many free activities as possible, such as nature walks.

Now I organize a monthly field trip for our homeschool co-op. Once a month feels like a better amount for my family at this time.

Collecting Money


Some venues require that everyone pay as a group. This can be the hardest part of planning an event. If you have to pay together, have everyone mail you or hand you their money in advance. Keep a list of everyone you are expecting, and check off their names as you receive their money. I also like to keep a tally of the total number of people for ease of paying. If the price is different for adults and children, keep separate tallies for them. You may want to require that everyone pay you in cash so you can include it when you pay for the group.

Discuss Respect


Sometimes it is necessary to briefly talk to the kids about how they should behave while on the field trip. On a recent visit to the police station, it was necessary to be very quiet, so we wouldn't disturb the dispatchers. Talk about showing respect for your guides and following their rules.

Have Fun


Stay together. Have plenty of adults. It helps if the adults are engaged in the field trip, as well. Their interest will rub off on the kids.

Does anyone else have tips for planning field trips for large groups?

Field Trips, Part 1.

Robby likes to joke that we can't buy a house that isn't near any museums. That's not actually far from the truth. We love our field trips. Here is a list of some we have enjoyed...

1. Visit a fire station. Call ahead for a tour.
2. Police station. Watch out...they might lock you up.
3. California Pizza Kitchen. Ask about tours and making personal pizzas.
4. Museums. Obviously. We are near several Universities, all of which have museums.
5. Local Grocery store. We have one nearby that does tours through the store, into the storerooms, and through the refrigerators. Then, they give everyone soft serve! It's a big hit.
6. Sub Zero Ice Cream. This one is coming up. They freeze your ice cream in front of you with liquid nitrogen. Makes a great science lesson! And the fresh ice cream, Oh My. So Yummy.
7. Beautiful places in nature. Ours usually include Daddy and water with fish in it.
8. Plays.
9. Library events.
10. Pumpkin Patches/Corn Mazes in fall
11. Farms.
12. Factories.
13. Churches.
14. Historical Sites.
15. Pick-Your-Own produce places. This is an all-time favorite for us!
16. Tumbling gyms.
17. Model Train show.
18. The zoo.
19. The aquarium.
20. Train rides.
21. Skiiing
22. Roller Skating.
23. Ice Skating.
24. Nickel Arcade.
25. Space center.
26. Small airports.
27. Aviaries.
28. Mines.
29. Printing Presses.
30. Newspapers.
31. TV stations.
32. Planetariums.
33. State capital.
34. Bakeries.
35. Fish hatcheries.
36. Candy factory.
37. Gardens.
38. Hospitals.
39. Water parks.
40. Ice castles.
41. Christmas light displays.
42. Water treatment facility.
43. Caves.
44. Nature trails.
45. State parks.
46. Deseret Industries or other thrift stores/donation centers.
47. Soup kitchens.
48. Local fairs and carnivals.
49. Post Office.
50. IMAX movies.
51. Dollar movies.
52. The Symphony.
53. Choir shows.
54. Disneyland.
55. Farmers Market.
56. Nursing homes.
57. Colleges.
58. Animal festivals. We have a llama fest, sheep shearing festival, dairy festival...
59. Waterfalls.
60. Trails.
61. Banks.
62. Ethnic restaurants.
63. Nursery.
64. Dams.

All, right. There are a couple here we haven't done yet.

Here's a picture of our latest...

Disneyland. Looks exciting, huh?

Tomorrow, I'll share tips for planning field trips for large groups...which I've done a LOT. See you then.

Ahh. The Joys of Autumn.

No words for you today. Just pictures of my favorite time of year. Here's hoping autumn is just as beautiful wherever you are.

Warmly,
Emily

The Boys' Second Annual Backpacking Trip

This summer (which is insanely almost over!!!), the boys (excluding Y) went on their yearly backpacking/fishing trip. It looks like a lot of fun, doesn't it? On the way home, Robby called, and when I asked how it went, he said, "Ohhhh. It couldn't have been a more perfect trip."

I'm glad they had such a fun bonding experience.

Next up, I get to bond with Robby. He's planning to take me on a backpacking/fishing trip sometime soon. I'm excited (and a little nervous....) He says I have to leave my books at home because we are going to be doing some serious fly fishing.

I'm pretty sure I'll be able to sneak one in, though.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Crazy Bob's Used Trucks

We took a field trip last week to Daddy's work, because the Y-Y--that boy LOVES trucks. He pretty much said, Oh Wowowowowowowowowow! the entire time (except when Daddy pulled the big horn...oops.)

Daddy's a salesman...a good (and not-annoying) one. BUT, sometimes he likes to refer to himself as Crazy Bob, the Used Car Salesman. 

The other night, we were all talking about Crazy Bob, when Y-Y got in on the action and started saying, "Bob, Bob, Bob". We were all highly amused, so Y calls everything Bob now to make us giggle.

The convo usually goes like this...

Mom: What's you name, Y?
Y: Bob.
Mom: Who are you calling?
Y: Bob.

Everyone: Snicker. Snicker.

The Tumbling Gym for PE

It has become a tradition for us to go the tumbling gym when my youngest bro is in town. This time, they added sumo suits to the fun.

And on a completely unrelated note...It's really important to me to be close to family. When I hear people say that they don't want to be too close (as in where they live) to their parents/siblings, it makes me sad. I hope my kids will want to live nearby when they are old and grown.

Apple Picking, aka Some People should go straight to Heaven

We went to this gorgeous apple orchard. Usually the family sells their apples. This year, they have decided to let anyone have them for free because of the hard economic times. They should go straight to heaven when they die. They are angels.

I'm sure I'll be posting some apple projects and recipes soon!