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!

Ziibiwing Center

We went on our second school sponsored field trip. This time I did it by myself, and it worked out just fine. The Ziibiwing Center is all out the Indians who lived in our area before the white man showed up. They lost some of their lifestyle when the children were forced into white man's schools but now they are returning and trying to share their history with others. It was interesting to learn from them and watch the dancers. 

 

Poor Harmonie spent almost the entire time

strapped into the stroller

so I could keep track of her.

The school group that attended the field trip.

Can you find my five kids?

Indian dancers with my Fabulous Five.

FYI - The clothing weighs 40 pounds.

We all had a nice time and we were glad we went. The kids really enjoyed meeting some of their teachers, and socializing with the other students was very fun for most of the kids.

First School Field Trip

It was very foggy this morning, as we headed out on our adventure. Emily kept commenting about how she couldn't see very far in front of her. Neither could I. It was nice to have Tamara with me to help me find out way - especially when we came to some detours, missed a road or two, and had to use her smart phone to figure out where we were and where to go. We made it to Uncle John's Cider Mill just fine, and the kids were very excited. I should have taken a group picture but I didn't. We got checked in, paid our money, and then split up. Tamara took the older three, and I took the younger two (with our youngest two in tow). The little kids played games with some of the teachers, while the older kids went through the corn maze. It is something they have always wanted to do, so I'm glad they were able to do it. Fortunately, Tamara took a picture of the map of the maze before they entered so they could use that when they got really lost. Because I was with the younger ones, that is who I have pictures of!

 

Xiomara got to be Simon in Simon Says

Domonique stayed in the stroller trying to stay warm.

Everyone enjoyed jumping on the inflated pillow thing!

Domonique became very adventurous and did her own thing.

This is the picture Tamara took of the older guys at the corn maze!

The sun came out around noon. Some of us came home with slight sunburns on our faces. Everyone came home with stories of meeting teachers, making new friends, and having a good time. They all got to ride the train and the big wagon pulled by a tractor. They all enjoyed the doughnut and cider. No one got stung by the bees that were also interested in the cider.

On the way home we played the Alphabet game - you know, where you look for the letters of the alphabet on the signs along the way - not once, but twice. We did it forward and backward.

I was so worried Wednesday that I would go into labor while we were down there and wasn't exactly sure how that would all go. Fortunately, nothing happened. I'm still pregnant with a very active little one, and she'll be born some time in the next week. Now if I could just get over the little bit of anxiety that I have about going into labor, then I think I'd feel even better.