Happy New Year (Chinese)

We headed to a dance program that was presented by a New York Dance Troupe.  It is in celebration of the Chinese New Year.

The dance with the lion to ward off evil spirits.

Josh got picked to go up on stage.

He got to use the ribbons.  This is the rainbow!

All the dancers.

First Field Trip

We attended our first field trip this school year.  We went to the NASTAR Center.  A place that trains people how to fly fighter jets and outer space stuff.  It was very short but pretty cool.  The upside being that this place was close by - 25 minutes away - and free!!!

Josh trying on helmet.

Abs with helmet on.

Barb tried on helmet as well.

The whole group.

Down on the Farm

We went on a field trip to Howell Living Farm.  A farm that lives in the past.  Turn of the century type stuff.  Some of the things date to 1800's and some 1900's.  We went for the maple sugaring.  And yes we did get to taste some.  It was syrup though on our pancake.  But all in all a fun day.

It was a long one.  We spent over 2 hours going to different stations in the process.  We began at the wood cutting.  As the wood is needed for the fire in the evaporator and in the house for heat and cooking.

 Next stop the house.

 Where we got to see and taste the pancakes.   No making though.   It was a tiny kitchen.  But big in those times.  The ladies were very good about asking questions but I feel one did not allow the children enough time to formulate answers.  Our ages ranged from k-7.  Then it was off to the sugar maple trees where we got to see the tapping process and see the results inside the pails.   Finally off to the evaporator house.  This was were they turn the drippings into the syrup.   Now a real farm would not have had the evaporator house, they would have done it all over the fire.

We are all glad we went.  I especially like it when we walk away and my children say they learned something new!!!   An A+ day when that occurs!   I love love love field trips and even more so when the learning occurs sandwiched with interest and fun.

Adventure Aquarium

Today we were up early and on the roady by 8:30 to spend our day at the aquarium in Camden, NJ. About an hour drive. We really could have done the exhibits all before lunch but decided to slow it down and relax about 30 minutes before we ate. We felt as though we were going waaaay to slow and then realized all was okay.

Got to touch some sharks, starfish, and anemones. Josh and Abigail had wet sleeves for most of the day as it happened early.

Some of our group by the "Touch a Shark"

Josh by the baby alligator.

Stephen and Gabe learning about the penguins.

More of our group by the hippos.

Shark tunnel.

New Jersey

Our last and final field trip of this school year was to the NJ State house.  We are very fortunate that we live very close to Trenton.   Once again we went with the Seidle's.  The tour guide was great.  She was very understanding and worked well with all the ages.  They are used to taking 4th graders as that is the grade where they learn about the state ad nauseam.   With us having 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 6th grades being represented, she was fabulous.  The tour was just a little over 30 minutes.  We were also lucky to only have one other couple in our tour.  They were from Louisville, Kentucky.  They have been traveling to different State houses.   We learned a lot - not being from the state and all.  And not having studied it yet.  Really cool info about the building itself, such as Abraham Lincoln visiting to ask for their support with the Civil War.   The dome on top is painted with gold leaf so it can stand out in the distance.  There are stained-glass windows which have the state seal on them.  Very cool paintings inside the senate chambers.  

Lots of useful good information.  What I liked most was that my kids understood what the State house is all about.  That in itself is a great place to start.  

Went back to Barb's house for some more bonding.  Our family really does not get enough of each other.  How cool is that?!?!  

International Soil

Today was our field trip to the UN Building. I learned a lot!!! It was not too difficult to get to. There was a lot more walking and our kids were none too happy regarding this but it did all pay off.

Our tour guide was from Japan. It was hard to hear her as there were other tours occurring at the same time. They really have lots of people that visit this place. The really cool part was knowing that we were on international soil. So the big joke for the children was to make sure they tell people they left the country. HAHAHAHA!!

We did get to see lots of gifts that were given from various countries. At present time there are 192 members. They are under a lot of construction as the buildings are over 60 years and in much need. We were unable to walk by the river. (The complex sits on the Hudson.)

United Nations Complex

Sports box sent to children in need.

General Assembly

After the tour, which latest over an hour, we walked to the Sony building.  Inside this building there is a free open space for the public that has a bunch of fun electronic stuff to play around with.  They give you this card that you input data about yourself and then use at every station.  It was sooooo techno.   

Sony Plaza

Using our id cards.

You were able to send your image to a display board.

Ours are Abigail, Joel, and Caleb.

Here Abs is dancing.  They put your moves to a 

character of your choice to show you the video playback.

Here is Abigail's character dancing.

This is Joshua's Minotaur dancing.

Stephen's dance moves.

Stephen's character was Chowder.

These last two shots are of the Abigails' being news

reporters.  They were reporting about a hurricane off

the Florida coast.  We were cracking up at this. 

They will not be future newscasters!!  

 We did not get to do everything as we were crunched for time.  We left there at 3:00 ish in order to get the 4 pm train home.   Lots of walking on this part - over 20 blocks!!!  Lots of complaining children.  Heck, even my toes hurt! ;)

Once again we had a fabulous time with the Seidle's.  We are ever so grateful they like to venture out to many different places too!!  It really makes the trip/excursion way more fun!!

The Met

We started our day early to catch the train and then a bus to get to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  This day we were on the East side of Central Park (we still did not get to go into the park).  We met Barb and her kids on the train.   When we arrived in Penn Station we walked lots of circles to locate a machine for Barb to get a Metro card (easier than having to have quarters).  Then we walked circles trying to find the bus stop as the directions listed the wrong street.  We got clued in when our bus went by and turned left.  Oooops!   We looked over the schedule and saw we needed to be on a different block.   We finally got on the bus for our 50 block ride.  (Remember that is city blocks!!!)   Upon entry of the bus we find out the kids are free.  Yeah, we really did not need to get that card then.  Arghhh!    Nice lady on bus tells us how to push the yellow "tape" when we want to stop.  Very very cool.   We got off and we were one block from Museum.   We were very excited to have arrived all together.

Entry in was easy and we began in the Egyptian section.  Stephen was using my old camera and kept wandering off to take photos.  Mama was none too happy.  Needed to set him straight.   There was lots of cool things to take photos of and believe me he did and so did I.   

Next room was Armor.  This place was a favorite by lots of the boys.  There were many different armor from many different countries and time periods.  It was very cool to see the Samurai garb.  There was even some armor from Iran.   Abigail loved that they protected the horses too!

Off to lunch.  We all were hungry and our attitudes reflected it.   We went outside to one of the vendors.  The kids ate hot dogs and I ate a knish.  I was in potato heaven!!!  YUMMY!!  We also shared a pretzel.  

Back inside to the Romans and Greeks.  Abigail really liked this part.  Last year's history still sticks with her.  There were even maps and she was so excited.  

From here we ventured to the African Art.  And then we went off to the Modern Art section.  This was my favorite section.  I love to look at the paintings.  We also walked through the impressionists too.    There is just so much to see and not enough time or energy.   Below you will find all the photos in order of our journey.  (There are lots more, I just did not load all!)

The Met

sphinx

Sarcophageas

Temple

First American Animal sculptor. Lion and cub. Ab favorite.

Very intricate details on this armor from Italy.

Young ones in front of a knights display.

Outside eating lunch.

Italian Marble Sarcophageas

Very long Canoe from Indonesia

Mystery mask worn at death.  Joshua liked this!

Made completely of feathers.  Central/South America

Self-portrait Pablo Picasso

Jesus and Apostles

Sculpture about the a-bomb.

Jackson Pollack called "Outburst" (loved it)

Children done with Modern Art section.