Field Trip: Wilson's Creek Battlefield

     I took the kids to Wilson's Creek Battlefield a few years ago. We didn't have a full day and had always wanted to return. We planned another chilly but refreshing day outdoors near Springfield, Missouri.

 

     I feel nostalgic about Wilson's Creek for a few reasons. Of course, I grew up 30 minutes from here so there is that. Also, I am fascinated (in that kind of horrified way you can be about something so vile and sad about our history) by the Civil War. Third, I came here on my field trip in 5th grade.

     I don't know why exactly, but I was feeling extra sentimental this day. I mean, that's just me, so that's not surprising. I had these weird moments as I walked along that made me feel like I was in a movie scene. Like my eyes would fill with tears as I could almost hear my classmates and myself trudging along these same trails, like familiar little voices almost audible in the breeze. I know I sound crazy. I wasn't literally hearing voices. I know that I was probably feeling this way especially because of the funeral I had just attended a couple of days before. My childhood friend died a few years ago, and the funeral was for his mother. I still grieve whenever I think of him. Also, my 5th grade teacher who had brought us here - the one I had so adored, died a year ago. As I would remember certain spots and certain scenarios from that day, it was all so bittersweet and deja vu-like, I did fight back (and lose that battle occasionally) tears a lot throughout our hikes. I did, of course, enjoy making new memories with my own children here in these beautiful woods and hills.

     The way Wilson's Creek is set up: 

There is a visitor's center with exhibits, displays, and a movie. 

     You pay to enter past a gate. (Or you can just start hiking without your car.) Then you can stop at any/all of the many points of interest (to find your Junior Ranger booklet answers or just to explore) along the almost 5 mile road.

         Dash can be such a good big brother, always accepting Ninja's request to be held.

     Funny, I just posted a photo of Ninja playing with a stick on our last Junior Ranger outing.

     By the end of the hike, Ninja claimed he couldn't walk another step. We all took turns holding him individually, but he is getting heavy these days. I really wonder what it feels like to be this kid. I wish I could see inside his thoughts. I know there are parts of being the youngest that aren't ideal. His three siblings often prefer different things than him. His Mom is older than she was when the others were his age, and when I say older I really mean TIRED. There are moments when we all know - and he probably knows, too, that he has it made.

taking the pledge

their two new badges from this trip

     We were super hungry by the time we left the park. We ate yummy crepes at Aviary Cafe.

Field Trip: George Washington Carver Museum

     Our other field trip while in Missouri was to George Washington Carver National Monument...

in Diamond, Missouri. I took this pic because Tornado "collects" photos of water towers. He has a album on his ipad full of them. It's his thing to spot while we are traveling.

       It was another chance to earn a Junior Ranger badge.

They got right to work!

     My kids (even the older boys) always love interactive historical museums that include play kitchens and play stores. There is just something so fun about this to them.

 

    I get my "meals" made for me. 

     It's a nice museum, and I am surprised I have never brought them here before.

      The Junior Ranger booklet required a walk on the trail.

     We were glad about this because it was actually nice walking weather. The kind when it's really chilly and you have to be bundled up, but it feels actually refreshing breathing in the cold air. And it's nice to get some use out of our winter coats.

sticks: the cheapest, most used toy

And back inside the museum:

     They got their badges. We enjoyed learning more about the amazing scientist and inventor. There is also a film to watch in the visitor's center. Vistor's Center Films: no exaggeration, truly one of my favorite things in life.

What We Were Up To

Field Trip/Junior Ranger Badge

November 10, 2018

     In early November, we returned to Desoto National Memorial.

     The kids had to complete their Junior Ranger Badges they had started when we had visited with my parents.

     Tornado was posing with Buddy Bison (#buddybison on instagram), like the one he has at home.

    We returned to Sage Biscuit Cafe for another vegan skillet. We checked out the different location on Cortez Road this time.

     We also returned to our little non-crowded spot on Anna Marie Island/Holmes Beach because Dash hadn't been there yet.

And then back to Small Town Creamery.

Family Movie Night

 November 11 2018

      I have been so excited about watching the movie Christopher Robin ever since the trailer first came out, and it brought me to tears watching it multiple times. I have a soft spot in my heart for Winnie the Pooh. First of all, I love the books so much. I realized this in college when I read them for my children's literature class. They are so sweet and meaningful and clever. I loved them so much I designed Tornado's baby nursery in the old fashioned Pooh theme.

      We made a special meal to watch the movie together one night after it came out on DVD. This isn't my best work (Ha!). I didn't give the cheese enough time to melt. However, hopefully you can tell we made little pizzas shaped like bear faces. :)

         As a last minute add, we also set out "Rabbit's Garden" (carrots in hummus).

     The biggest hit was our Pooh Bear milkshakes!

Birthday Party

November 16, 2018

         Sis had a birthday party to attend one weekend for one of her home school academy classmates.

        It was held at a camping area at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park.

     Some of the girls spent the night in tents. (Serious props to those who did because it was COLD that night.) Sis opted to stay for a few hours then come home. They played games and enjoyed birthday festivities. It was a lovely setting.

Homeschool

     I can't remember if I have mentioned before that Dash gets a Bokksu box of Japanese snacks every month in the mail. It's what he asked for as his last birthday gift. He is very interested in all things Japanese (and is looking forward to visiting one day). It has been a fun experience for them to open it every month. We won't renew it because it was just a one time gift and also there is always a snack or two included which contains a fish ingredient they can't eat.

     Tea Time: The book we have been reading together is The War That Saved My Life. I would say that all 5 of us have been into this WWII themed Newbery Honor book.

Homeschool Academy

Tornado made this in class one day.

dress rehearsal for The Cat in the Hat  

play before Thanksgiving break

Gratitude

     #504 in my Gratitude List: Sis showed me one day that these were the emojis that Ninja wanted to send to me. I love him so!

     Speaking of how much I love him, we enjoyed a couple Mommy-Ninja dates this month. For this one (#505), we just got pudding cups to eat at Nutrition Smart while we waited on his sister at dance class. We really love pudding cups (#506). And these had whipped cream and crumbled up pb cups. (#507)

     On another day when I could tell he was melting down and needed some Momma time, we drove to St. Petersburg for a dessert extravaganza. We went to Locale Market which has this yummy chocolate sort-of soft serve. (#508...#509 for that smile)

     We also were so happy to see this pretty little thing labeled vegan in one of the glass cases at Locale, so we shared it also. Yummy! (#510, I can be grateful for allll the desserts. He did actually consume most of this, though, since I have been consuming little sugar lately.)

     I'm also thankful for Love Food Central in St. Petersburg. (#511) I'm not sure that we were planning on getting more dessert. It's a head scratcher for me trying to remember how we ended up here getting more dessert. I really don't know! But we shared this cheesecake, and then he ate the cookie because he really likes cookies. It's often his dessert of choice.

Youtube Challenge

     I get a little worried about this kid sometimes and the lengths he will go to with dares and challenges. I regularly send him links to articles about kids who engage in challenges, and it doesn't end well, like death or near death. I've reached the "Well, if your friend jumps off the cliff, does that mean you have to?!" stage of life, and how did I get here?! I hope I'm getting my point across, and at the same time, I do appreciate his fun, silly nature. This was one time he decided to try a spoonful of cocoa. I think on this same day they also tried cinnamon. There are articles on why this isn't a good idea.

     It tasted as bad as I warned him it would. His reaction was pretty good (or bad, depending on how you look at it).

Sis didn't fare any better.

 

 Travel

     We made plans to spend Thanksgiving in Arkansas, but we ended up going to Missouri a bit early. I unfortunately had to attend the funeral of a dear woman, the mother of friends of mine.     

               

 

     I took this pic to show what a good Mom I am, allowing my kid to go out in flip flops and shorts in literal freezing weather. But, to Wal-Mart we go!

 

     While we were in town, we met up with one of my besties and her kids to play.

 

        Sometimes Tornado is a couch potato, and then there are days like this he surprises me.

     He actually rather enjoys trampoline places, and I love seeing him jump around and smile so big.
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     He played a little basketball, too.

     Overall, it was a nice time!