Field Trip~ Imagine Child's Museum

Yesterday I traveled north to Everett with Joseph's class to the Imagine Children's Museum. What a wonderful museum! 

There are 3 floors. The roof has a great area where children can run, make music and pretend to dig dino bones. The main floor has a ferry that houses water play, a firetruck climbing area, a bus, a farm where the kids can milk a cow (harder than it looks!) a bank, a pizza place and a wildlife center. There were more cool places but once we found the model trains Joseph's exploring came to a stop! The basement has an art studio, construction zone and small and I do mean small lunch area.

Joseph spent most of his time between the model railroad and Imagine Air. An airplane that really looked real on the inside but the aisle was wider! I think both of us had a really good time. :0)

Digging for dino bones.

Roof top play area.

Indoor Tree House has a reading room, play room and bridge.

Ferry Field Trip

Recently Joseph's class went on a field trip to ride the Edmonds/Kingston Ferry across the Puget Sound. It is a relatively short trip for ferries, about 30 mins one way. The theme for Joseph's class has been oceans. transportation was the month before. The way I see it they got a 2 for 1 bargain. (transportation: ferry and bus, beach: ocean)

Riding the bus!

This is Izzy. She and Joseph are great friends. :0)

With this being a class trip the fare round trip was $2 for everyone, Score! The kids also received free bus passes when the community transit came for a class discovery. Grand total for the entire day $2! I have never been on a class field trip with Joseph. It was great just hanging out with Joseph. The bus trip to and from was a lot fun.

Waiting to board.

On the gangway.

The kids were so excited to be riding the ferry. Joseph loves to ride them! His favorite thing is to watch the vehicles load and unload (especially motorcycles) and stand on the front of the ferry feeling the wind. Can you say massive sensory input?!

All the children had a great time. 

Happy boy!

Some were a little disappointed that due to homeland security they could not see the engine room or the bridge. Anyway, the kids got to talk to a few crew members and ask questions. I even learned a thing or two!  

Docking in Kingston.

After the ferry began to head back to Edmonds the kids had lunch. It was so cool! I have never had lunch on a ferry before nor had Joseph. With the trip being just under 30 mins we all had to eat quick!

Here comes the motorcycles!

Watching the motorcycles, cars and trucks load on the ferry.

After we debarked the ferry the kids went to South Brackett's beach, located beside the ferry. The kids had a wonderful time looking for animals and shells. It was a bit chilly when the day began but the sun warmed everything up. It was so nice to sit in the sun! The kids had a great time running up and down the beach playing tag and digging. One class mate told me he was digging to China! 

Great day was had by all!

Everyone was well worn out when it was time to board the bus and head back to school. Several kids fell asleep including Joseph. Looking forward to the next field trip: the Seattle Aquarium.

A new school year

Dang it! Summer is officially over. Our summer has been filled with awesome adventures and trips. You can visit our family blog http://blessingsfromlife.blogspot.com/ catch up on all our summer adventures.

There are major changes in our school lives. This year Emily is now a middle schooler! Wow! She has decided to attend the Homeschool Resource Center and re-join the rank of home schooler. Sarah Elizabeth had the option to graduate this year but has decided to go an extra year and take advantage of free college classes that are offered. Smart choice I feel. Joseph changed c lasses, He is now in the intermediate class grade 4-6. His teacher from last year, Mrs, Seiber's will be there three days a week and a new teacher two days. Heather will start MU Grad School in January. My babies are growing so fast!

This year I will be at the Resource Center everyday. This differs from the past. The girls have very different schedules and I cannot afford the gas to drive back and forth! I joined the Seattle Homeschooling Group. We will be trying to do a lot more hands on and be in the field more. Now that Joseph's health is more stable I feel more comfortable to be able to go on more field trips. Jeff is working 8pm-5am so that means he will be close if needed and can pick him up after school. Thus giving us more freedom. :0)
So in honor of first days of school every where, I hope you share the enthusiasm as Nemo!

We are headed to Salmon Fish Hatchery for our next field trip. Wonder if I can bring a salmon home? :0)

If I could I would send you a bouquet of sharpened pencils

There is something about autumn and the thoughts it conjurers up of school supplies. The smell of scotch tape..Tom Hanks from You've Got Mail.

I love back to school. To me back to school is like New Years the thought of the possibilities. Possibilities of fields trips, empty notebooks to be filled and time spent learning with my children. 

If I had it my way Tuesdays would be our only "school day" and the rest of the week be spent with field trips.

The past two years Sarah Elizabeth has attend the Home school Center. The first year transition was difficult at first only due to the limited amount of classes she was allowed to take. Last year she more than made up for it. She took a ton of classes including online classes. If all goes right she will graduate this year...a year early from High School! I am trying to talk her into taking advantage of free community college classes. Fingers crossed.
Emily attended public school. It was a fabulous experience for her. A perfect fit. Her teacher was awesome. She was lucky to have Mr. Partee both years. This year Emily would have transitioned to Brier Junior High. She has decided to attend the Home school Center as well. She is really excited to be attending the same school as Sarah Elizabeth.
Joseph will continue to attend a special needs classroom. His teacher from last year transitioned to his classroom which is wonderful. :0) I am praying this will be a better year. Over the past two years he missed a lot of school due to health issues.

This year promises to be a great year. I am looking forward to getting back into our home schooling groove. Keep ya posted!