Field Trips Galore

Field Trips Galore

One of the many benefits of homeschooling is the many opportunities to take the children out on fieldtrips. Learning is not confined to the classroom or to books.

When we started homeschooling the girls last school year but kept the eldest in regular school, we were limited in the trips we could take. We really could not go very far or for too long because we had to be back by 3 pm to pick him up from school.

This year, since all the kids are now homeschooled, we were able to take more field trips!

In September, we had our field trip to the library where the kids were given access to what goes on behind the scenes in the library. They got better acquainted with the library. We also spent a day at Discovery Science Center. The kids enjoyed learning about their bodies. Up to now, the kids still talk about what they saw there. Even DD3 who is 3yo will remark, out of the blue, something about the germs and stuff they saw in the Planet You presentation! Amazing the impact of something hands-on compared to something they would have just read from a book. We were also able to watch the play, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Again, the kids enjoyed this and would even sing some of the melodies they heard.
In October, we went to the pumpkin patch, Goldilocks bakeshop and Heritage Park.
In November, we went to a horse ranch. Another fun trip for the kids as they got to interact with horses and other animals as well. They learned how to groom horses and how to approach them without spooking the horse. It was a working ranch so horse tacks, reins, spurs and other equipment were in plain view. The kids had a lot of questions on how things were used, etc. Aside from horses, there were also furry critters that the were able to pet. DD3's favorite activity was going through the dog training course. Of course! Wouldn't you enjoy it if you were asked to run as fast as you can through some hoops and jump over bars?
In December, we had a full week of field trips. We went to see the Elves and the Shoemaker. The next day, we had our Revolutionary War Adventure which I had blogged about previously. Later that week, we also saw The Nutcracker. The kids loved this!! DD3 had a funny remark when she saw the group dance sometime at the beginning of Act II. "That's funny Mommy, the boys are dancing like girls!" Haha...the sweet innocence of a child!

I'm glad that we were able to do all these field trips before 2010 ended. As I prepare to have our 5th baby, I am not able to take the kids out as often as I would like. But I'm not stressing about it. Such is the season of life. That is why it is important to seize the opportunities as they come. Savor the moment. Live and enjoy the present. Once they're gone, you can't bring them back but if you had lived in the moment, you will always have the memories.