Hot Air Balloons

While I was with Tamara on Wednesday, she mentioned hot air balloons in Frankenmuth. Some how, I forgot about it until I saw Tamara again on Saturday and she mentioned how neat they were because they had gone to see them the previous night. Oh man! I really wanted to take the kids so they could see several hot air balloons launch and float through the air. I checked the web and found out the last night launch would be Sunday night.... then I sort of forgot about it until 6 p.m. Sunday evening. I got excited and told Kevin we needed to go. We told the kids to get back into their clothes, go potty and head out to the car. "Where are we going?" It's a surprise is all I would tell them... then I had to remind myself that it was okay if they speculated the entire way there and that I didn't need to come unglued. I held myself together. Kevin drove his own car because he would have to leave for work. We found a parking spot and made our way to the field. We didn't get lost once. We watched from a hill so that we were out of the way. 

 

All of a sudden, there was Tamara! She told us she and Steve had a spot a little more shaded so we followed her. It was so neat to watch the balloons take shape.

And eventually some got up into the air. After only 5 or 6 launched they all stopped. We couldn't hear what they kept saying because we were so far away from the "grand stand" but I think it had something to do with the wind. It was disheartening to watch the field clear of most of the cars and crews.

Eventually they all came back and inflated their balloons so we could watch them. They let the public get close so they could talk with the pilots. Tamara and Steve took turns with my kids because they wanted signatures from the pilots. It was fun to watch their excitement!

Eventually it got dark and it was so amazing to watch the balloons glow! Totally worth it!

There were some fireworks as well, but the glowing balloon were my favorite part!
We were able to make it back to the van, get everyone in and all our stuff, and make our way back home in the dark. (I have never driven to or from Frankenmuth in the dark.) It was a very late night but at least we were all ready for bed. What a neat event, and so fun to share it with friends.

It's time.

After 7 ½ weeks, we decided it was time to take our 10 meat birds to the butcher. I made the appointment for Thursday, the 22^nd. The kids and I packed everything up and headed out at 9 a.m. so we could be there for 10 a.m. – the lady needed time to clean up and head to school. Anyway, it was a nice drive and I found my way without any problems. It was a bit chilly when we arrived and no one was waiting for us. I thought that was a bit odd but what could I do? We stood around wondering what to do when a lady came out of the house. I told her we were here with our chickens. She said, “Not today.” She came out with her notebook and we eventually found my name and the 22^nd. She apologized because we weren’t on the calendar and she had already cleaned up for the day. I left my chickens and we agreed that it would be done Friday. The kids and I packed back into the van and headed home.

Friday morning we did the same thing – except this time we didn’t have to pack up the chickens. We drove out the same way so I could stop and take a couple pictures of things I had noticed the first trip….

A tree growing out of another tree. I thought it was a wonderful example of “grow where you are planted” and “help those around you.”

A wonderfully neat looking house and property. It’s not for sale but it looks vacant. I just had to stop to get a few pictures. Not really sure because it's not like we'll buy it and move there. Just a neat house.

 

As we got to the poultry processing place, she was finishing someone else's birds. I thought we were ready but it was a bit more traumatic. Everyone handled it very well and walked away if they needed to. We watched the process and it was certainly an education for all of us. Several of the kids were asking questions as the woman cleaned the birds.

Harmonie was more interested in the dog.

The kids played for a bit after we were done.

The girls were excited that the dog was more friendly today than yesterday.

On the way home, we stopped by a place that was selling pigs. Kevin wanted me to get some information so we did. The kids enjoyed walking through their barn looking at all the pigs and seeing all the little baby piglets. We will probably get one and raise it for meat. The kids were all excited at the idea of getting a pig. I made sure they understood that it wouldn't be around for very long and that it's whole purpose would be to feed us. They were still excited to have a pig. We shall see.

 

Michigan Historical Museum and Capitol Building

We went to Lansing for a field trip with the school. Tamara and Felix came along with us to help out and just enjoy another trip. The drive went fine. We arrived at the right place on time! Kemiah was very excited to see her teacher. The older kids decided to wait for the older group so I went with the younger kids on the first tour. Tamara opted for the older kids. Fortunately, Kemiah's teacher went with us and she was okay with my four mobile children hanging out with her. I had main responsibility for the stroller, backpack, and Camdilyn (who handled the trip very well, even though she didn't get to eat the entire time because I didn't have the opportunity to sit and feed her). We went through the museum rather quickly and so I didn't "learn" a whole lot. I was more concerned about keeping track of four kids and the group so I couldn't stop a read very many exhibits.

Can I just tell you that I really don't like the

"no flash photography"

that most museums have.

It makes it really hard to get good pictures

because their lighting is not sufficient.

We then walked over to the Capitol building. It was sunny, but not too bad. The detail in the building was amazing - painted walls and ceilings, lights, pictures, door knobs and hinges, etc. We got to see the house meeting and the senators. I'm not really sure the kids got anything out of it but it was neat.

Looking up from the first floor.

Looking down from the third floor.

The floor is made of 1 inch thick glass pieces in a metal frame.

It was really neat looking.

House Reps.

Glass tiles with each states seal.

Rep from where the school is located.

Door hinges with state seal.

Details on the door knobs as well.

Senate.

This is the underneath side of the glass floor.

We started our tour here and ended here.

Oddly enough, at the start we didn't notice the feet walking above us.

We noticed them now because we knew it was glass,

and we knew to look up.

Walking over the streets and enjoying the outside.

Finding joy in the little pleasures.

Domonique and Harmonie decided it was better to just run up and down the hill.

Eating and waiting for the big guys to finish.

It was a nice trip and I was glad Tamara went with us to help me with the kids. We left later than I thought because we ate and played and climbed trees and fed Camdilyn. When we got home, it was time to head to Church for activities. Poor kids didn't get much of a dinner. We had a nice day!