Tag Archive | nature center

Out in the Fall Colours

October 28-30… well most of the 30th

Well the week OF Halloween begins now! And the excitement level is HIGH! The last 3 costumes were ordered on the weekend from Amazon so the big wait for Tuesday to come and them to appear has begun.101_4935

Our original plan was to head over to the gas station that Nana used to do the accounting at for a field trip. But an appendix bursting combined with a mechanic’s holiday (pre planned) had them too understaffed to facilitate our visit. So instead we headed to the nearest nature center which just happens to only be closed on MONDAY’S… oops. But that didn’t stop us from enjoying the nature outside of the main building. Paths, a lake, a special area all about bald eagles… it was all there for the experiencing. Although a bit chilly!101_4938

Canoes

Canoes

101_4940101_4942I think getting into nature and enjoying the world around us can really bring home how special where we are now is.101_4943

101_4945That evening Ken, Baba and Emanuel had a special mission… to let Emanuel experience his very first session of Tiger Cub Scouts. He loved it! We are tentatively joining the troop that the Novak boys are a part of. Fingers crossed this is something he will really embrace and enjoy.101_4968

We had the last of the Halloween costumes make there way here by mid morning and that wiped all other thoughts out of everyone’s mind… so of course we stopped EVERYTHING and had a fashion show. I am especially proud of Trinity’s costume. Here dress was one of this summer’s super garage sale finds, at a size 8 it was mere dollars and will suit her when she grows into it. I made the crown with Ken’s help from these instructions HERE. We did not cover the paper with anything but I did add (with the help of double sided tape) hand crocheted lace to spiffy it up.101_4972

Echo’s costume was a hand-me-down. Trinity wore this same costume back when she was 2! We got her basket for a steal from Michaels and then plundered her drawers for the skirt, leggings and shirt.101_4976

101_4979The 3 boys all decided on ninjas of varying styles and colours.101_4981

101_4983101_4994101_4992We  took the initiative and finally finished our milk jug ghosts. This simple idea was something I came across randomly on Facebook. You just take a regular milk jug, clean it out and decorate one side with a Sharpie. We cut a hole in the back, filled it with some sand to stabilize and then placed a little light in each one (one of those fake candles that flickers). Very cute!101_4996

101_5000I had more early Christmas presents show up from Gammie to stow away and in them was an amazing Halloween treat – a HUGE rice krispie… brick really. Perfect for lunch on Halloween!101_5001

And with that we were ready (well as much as we can be) for Halloween and all it entails! And now for the massive but colourful nature reserve overflow! 101_4946

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Apple Cider, Education and Good Friends

October 14-15

The beauty of Minnesota

It feels like education come to roost… Sunday marked our first true Minnesota homeschooling fieldtrip and we managed to share that experience with another family (granted NOT a homeschooling one, but a good match anyway!), the Novaks. The local nature center (like 10 min from us) had an apple cider (well more juice) celebration type event

But first… a walk with the cousins and grandparents before we head out (without the napping Echo)

As has been the norm it was Darcy, Ken and myself with the kids though this time we left Echo at home with Nana and Baba to nap. Definitely a good choice. 8 kids at once was a handful and the trails were not really Echo or stroller friendly. We all got there around the same time and headed into the center itself to see what all was going on. 

Walking to the center

Ken and I (note another of my crocheted hats!)

There was actually a few things to see and do at the center. We started with the crafts in the basement… There were three stations:

Apple stamps… where you painted half an apple and then used it much like a potato stamp on a piece of paper.

Stamping apples

Leaf rubbings. We let whoever wanted to run out to grab fresh leaves. I think this is one we will repeat with our leaves in our yard as well. Then the kids could do some rubbings and send some examples of Minnesota to their pen pals. 

Leaf rubbing

And then some squirrel colouring pages and mazes. I had to sit down and colour Trinity a purple squirrel… she approved!

Colouring

Checking out a sand table

After the crafts it was time to peek through the critters and play room… snakes, turtles, lizards and a full out beaver dam to play in.

A beaver dam full of kids!

Once we enjoyed all there was to see inside it was time to head outside and taste the apple cider/juice…

Ken and Darcy share some of the same sense of humour

And then learn how to make it AND assist!! 

After the apple cider we picked up clip boards and headed out along the trails to do the nature scavenger hunt. We had kids running and looking, smelling and listening to the world around them… oh and climbing trees! 

On the portable dock

Aidan found the VERY elusive pinecone, there is like ONE tree in the entire place!

Watching all 8 kids go go go was rather amazing. They had so much fun and really listened and behaved really well. The area was lovely and the walk very reasonable. I am so glad that the Novaks (minus big Andy) could make it! I love sharing these sort of experiences with another family. 

Isn’t our godson a looker!

I have to say having a chance to go out and run and play and be together with a good friend and laugh with our kids… this is something I really needed! Thank you so much Darcy for coming with us!!!

All 8

And all 8 again