Insect Fair and Pumpkin Patch

Since the boys had football games yesterday, we decided to kill 2 birds with 1 stone today. We celebrated Babe's 10th birthday, and had a field trip related to insects (what were studying in science). I love when things work out like this!

Orion loved all of the creepy crawling live bugs they had, evident by all of his hovering around the hissing cockroaches and scorpions.


Raymond got to hold butterflies, and loved having a sneak peak at what ours will look like soon. And of course we gravitated towards the snakes :)


And Bunny just had a ball looking and touching everything. That's my girl, she's not afraid of anything!
There were so many beautiful butterflies, and moths (who would have thought).

Of course I had to bring a few home, to start our own collection :) and the kids were gifted some praying mantis cocoons from a family friend. What a great science unit this has become for us! First watching caterpillars turn into butterflies, and now we'll be able to watch a different type of insect cocoon.

Of course, there was plenty of time to goof around too! This was after our family race, which tired us all out because of all the hills.

Picking the perfect pumpkins was fun, but man was that a task! Everyone had a different idea of what the perfect pumpkin was, so of course I got to be the deciding factor, because I have plans for them. I have 3 seperate experiments I want to use them for, along with making pumpkin pie and pumpkin seeds from them. It was a great day!

Fair 2010

To celebrate my son's birthday, we went to the local fair. We had so much fun! We were there most of the day, and by the time we left, our feet were throbbing! The kids were able to do so much though, and I think they got a lot out of it.

Our day started with a trip to the Jurassic building, where we got to see giant interactive dinosaurs. The kids loved this building! There was a section where they got to talk to people about fossils, and even handle some. Outside they did crayon rubbings of different dinos, and took pictures in those cut out things.



Next we stopped at the barnyard to look at all the animals. The kids had a blast running in the hay maze for about half an hour. They also did this mock work and shop thing, it was so cute! They start off harvesting fruits, veggies, eggs, and milking a fake cow. They turn in their basket of harvested goods and get $2 in fake money, and head to the mini Ralphs market. At Ralphs they shop with little carts and fake food, then pay for it with their fake money. Their reward for all their hard work is a coupon for a free cookie.


The building with the renaissance stuff was a fast favorite as well. The kids got to dress up in costumes, and practice their archery skills. I don't have pictures of the archery, because well... I was having a blast watching the kids and forgot to take pictures.


We also checked out a mini dude ranch, where we made rope, a honey bee farm (of course we bought some honey), played carnival games and got on some rides. We had a great and educational day!

Happy Birthday Boo Boo!!!

My handsome baby boy is 7 today! I can't believe how fast time flies. I remember each of those 6 hours of labor like it was yesterday. I remember your raspy little "big boy" voice when you were 1 and 2 tattling on your brother. And how much you loved corn on the cob. I love how you embrace your inner rockstar, and asked to have a red mohawk.

I love the punk rock attitude you have to accompany the red mohawk.

I love how fun loving and goofy you are, always trying to get a laugh.


I love how daring and brave you are, willing to try something at least once.


Most of all, I love how your spirit shines when we let you just be you.


Your my little knight in shining armor. Happy 7th Birthday Babe, we love you!