Field Trips

 Well, we have been back for almost a week and we are getting back into our routine.  We have four weeks of school left before summer break starts.  I wanted to take a moment to just write about some of the things the Hooties did while in GA.  They had so much fun hanging out with family and getting to experience new things.  We went on quite a few field trips to bring to life what we have been learning this school year or to grow them in a passion that they have.

I think Mimi realized what she was getting herself into! :)

The first field trip we went on was to the Wild Safari.  On this trip, we were able to ride in a van and feed the animals.  It was so amazing to see God's creation up close and personal...to touch them...to get drooled on...to feed them.  The older Hooties are really into the Wild Kratts right now.  They look forward to learning new things about animals with each episode they watch.  Each night at the dinner table, Lin-Lin will ask the Hooties what animal they learned about and what interesting thing they learned.  Often times, it ends up having all three of them talking at the same time.  But it is so neat to see what they remember and what makes them excited!

This is the van that we rode in while on the safari...there were LOTS of laughs that were happening...especially when the llama spit on the mirror when we wouldn't give her anymore food!

Tobias getting his food ready...he actually liked feeding the animals!

She was the most excited and the one who was least afraid of the animals

These two were in Wild Kratt heaven

Zebras

The llama who spit on us

The giraffe

He had the longest, coolest, drooliest tongue ever!

Kyrie feeding a deer

They had so much fun!

Then we took a bus tour to learn more about the animals

My bus buddy

Sleepy lion

Deer

The girls having so much fun feeding the animals

He is super serious in this picture...always gotta have your game face on with those wild animals

Hanging out with Bup-Bup on the bus

The other giraffe

Sophie finally got up the nerve to feed  her

Looking for just the right animal to feed

Sisterly love

I like me a llama!

And another llama!

Hair blowing in the wind...such a free-spirit

Mommy and Kyrie

Mommy and Josiah

I think there were some animals that got loose from the Wild Safari

Playing Peek-a-Boo with Mommy

Seeing all the animals tuckered this guy out!

The next day, we headed to Atlanta and spent the day at the Georgia Aquarium.  This was the perfect field trip because Josiah had been studying underwater sea creatures this school year for his science.  If you home school and are looking for a GREAT curriculum, we highly recommend Apologia.  So without further ado...here are some pictures from our field trip.

The Georgia Aquarium

Mommy and the Hootie Hoos

So fascinated by the fish

Even more fish

Tobias was off with Bup-Bup looking at other fish

An octopus

On a scavenger hunt...super fun activity where you use an iPad and have clues and activities to complete

Heading home...Tobias had the right idea...sleeping in the stroller. 

We also spent one morning painting with Auntie Shue.  Most Friday afternoons at 3pm on PBS, we watch Bob Ross' "Joy of Painting."  When we got to my parents' house, it didn't take Josiah long to discover a Bob Ross painting kit.  So, one morning Auntie Shue took some time and painted with Josiah.  He was super excited to paint and be like Bob Ross.

Getting everyone in their smocks

All ready to paint

Some very excited Hooties

Auntie Shue and Josiah painting with Bob Ross

Painting the sky

Added some clouds, water and a mountain

Signing their painting

Their completed painting

It is done!

Tobias was ready to paint like the big Hooties

They were so focused on painting

Showing me his brush

She's got some good technique

Letting her creativity flow

That is quite a masterpiece

And he got bored with the canvas and thought his foot would be a better object to paint

Love me some "baby" feet

We spent another day in Albany visiting a planetarium and a train museum.  Sophie has always had a fascination with space, so she especially enjoyed the planetarium.  Josiah was captivated by what he saw and will now be studying astronomy in the fall for his science time.  The train museum was a HUGE hit with both of the boys.  Josiah still wants to be a train engineer.  Tobias just liked seeing the "big choo-choo."  I enjoyed the train museum because I got a few minutes to be photographer.  We are praying that soon we will have our own place and I can get some prints made for the boys' room!!

A very rare picture with all of us in it!!

Tay-Tay was able to spend the day with us

So, this is a summary of our time in GA. So glad that we were able to spend some time with my family and be able to take the kids on some different field trips to complete our school year.