Field Trip! Science Museum Oklahoma!

We took a field trip to the Omniplex almost every year from 1st to 12th grade. It was fun, but eventually we had done everything. There was nothing new and it was not as much fun as it had been.

When Aidan was 4 or 5, we took him to the The Oklahoma Science Museum (new name for the Omniplex) and it was the same as it had been the last time I went with school. Aidan loved it, it was all new to him, but we did not go back for a while.

Last year, we purchased a family pass to SMO because they had started adding new exhibits and there were some fun things for the kids to play with. We went almost weekly for the first two months. Then we went once or twice a month. We have been less in the last few months, but our pass has been a great investment! Every time we go, there is something new!

Our trip today was no disappointment. We started in a play area for the kids. Last time we went, these "roller coaster" pieces were not out and the kids were very disappointed. Today, they were in a bigger, more open space and they set up some great tracks to roll the balls down.

A series of new displays let kids experiment with the principles electricity and air.

The new Tinkering Garage lets kids take things apart or build with circuit blocks. Aidan dismantled a cell phone, a remote, and a drill. Then both kids built circuits with light bulbs, buzzers, fans, batteries, and switches. We spent most of our time here!

Matthew loved putting together tubes for golf balls to roll through. 

We also watched the science show - lots of explosions! We rode the Segway and we played in the shadow box. 

I love playing with the kids at the science museum and I cannot wait to see all the new displays they were making room for! There was construction going on in at least 3 areas. Everytime they have opened something new, it has been great. We are excited!

Lilly's Birthday and Spring Break!

Lilly turned 4 on February 22nd. She had a great time eating dinner with Mema and Papa...but she really loved opening her presents. As you can see, the pile of gifts was as tall as she was. She now has all of the Hello Kitty clothing any little girl needs!

I cannot believe how big she is getting. We measured both kids, in two months Lilly had grown 1.5 inches and Aidan had grown 2 inches!!








We went on our first vacation in a couple of years. This was however, our first truly relaxing vacation! We usually go somewhere that is all site-seeing or visiting friends and family. This year we went to the ocean with almost all of Jonathan's siblings. 12 adults and 17 kids may not sound relaxing to everyone, but it meant that our kids were completely entertained, and we all had a little help in the parenting department.

Aidan looking for sea shells at the jetty. This was the best place for finding cool shells!

These sea gulls follow the ferry from the mainland to Galveston Island. The kids were able to feed them off the back of the ferry. They ate out of our hands! It was lots of fun.

Father and son crabbing. We caught several, but only two big enough to keep.

The view from our back porch. See why this was so relaxing!

Wildlife Expo!

Today was a GREAT day! I started the day with a quick trip to the library book sale. I picked up several great history books on ancient civilizations to go along with our study of the ancients this year. I found a couple of books on Egypt and Mummies, a few on Greece, and a copy of the Epic of Gilgamesh! We just talked about that story, and now we can read the full version. I came home with a box full of books for only $12!

Next we headed off to the Wildlife Expo, but we passed a few garage sales on the way. I picked up a few more history books and the last in a science series we are using (normally $70 - I paid $20!). The kids found a few toys as well. It was a great day for shopping!

Finally! We made it to the Lazy E Arena and this is what we did:

  Archery!

The kids had to go back and shoot a second time. Jonathan popped the balloon and won a back pack for the kids.

 Learning to cast a fishing line! Lilly hit the target the first few times. (With a little help.)

 Digging for bugs in compost....worms, sow bugs, and much, much more.

Yes...they are petting a skunk!! Don't worry, it can't spray!

Studying the fish of Oklahoma.

 Gooseknocking. 

The point is to knock the head off the geese.

Look at that action shot of Lilly!

 

Giant paddlefish - this one was about 10 years old and 30 pounds. 

They can be up to 135 pounds. The kids both touched it, but there was a string attached to the mouth and the attendant moved it when people touched the fish. Lilly jumped back a few feet!

And she was done!

Aidan's Birthday Week!

We had a lot of fun this week and also managed to accomplish A LOT!! We started the week with a trip to the State Fair of Oklahoma. We took the kids to see Disney's Toy Story on Ice, Aidan held a duck at the Duck Races, we saw some amazing dog tricks, learned about sea lions, walked through a petting zoo, ate Indian Tacos, pizza on a stick, and cotton candy! The kids also went on a bunch of rides and Aidan won a red light-saber at a game booth!

For school, Aidan and I made a deal; If he completed all 5 days worth of work in 4 days, he could have his birthday off. He did successfully complete all of his work, and then some. We are now a few days ahead in math and one day ahead in grammar!

We celebrated this morning with brownies for breakfast, some Mario Kart, and lots of laziness. We will make up for that tomorrow at the Wildlife Expo. Aidan has been looking forward to this for 2 months! Then, on Sunday, we have his birthday party. It is a big week for us!

 Watching Disney on Ice. They LOVED it!!

At the petting zoo - Alpaca, Kangaroo, and Lilly petting a goat!

Aidan getting ready to race his duck!

Letting it go!

He could not stop smiling while he jumped! It was so much fun to watch!

Lilly LOVED Dumbo!

The lighting was awful for pictures, but there is a sea lion on the left and the kids are in the center.

The Oklahoma Science Museum

Today we went on our first field trip of the year! We had some fun at the Oklahoma Science Museum (formally known as the Omniplex). Aidan and Lilly loved it! We watched a live science presentation on Physics....there were explosions and a vortex cannon! Most of the exhibits have been around since I was in elementary school, it brought back memories of my many field trips to the Omniplex. We ended the day at the Planetarium. I loved seeing all of the constellations -  but I think the kids were too tired. Here are some pictures from our adventure.

 

This was moments before she lit a match and made the bubbles explode in Jonathan's hand! It was loud and cool! We were a little surprised by the loud explosion, it was not what we expected!

Sounding the train whistle!

He loved all the planes in the aviation section!

Lilly loves to pose for the camera.

A bunch of hams!

Again....she poses!

By the aircraft carrier model.

Pendulum swings.

That girl!! What can you do!

Segway track! This was so cool!

This is basically a giant computer operated etch-a-sketch. He watched it create an awesome design!

Creating wind tunnel experiments!

We had a lot of fun today! Aidan passed out early tonight, he wore himself out :)