Much of our learning is hands-on, one of our favorite ways to learn! We seem to have a tendency to go, go, go and then hunker down for a while and let all that experience filter and settle.

You can check out earlier adventures at our Field Trip Archive page.

Walt Disney World, December '06

We had a wonderful week in Disney World, having plenty of time to explore all the different parks—Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, MGM.

Boat ride from Magic Kingdom	Going Morroccan in Epcot	Birdwatching in Animal Kingdom

NASA Kennedy Space Center, December '06

We spent a day at Kennedy Space Center where we explored NASA robotics, saw the kids' show Mad Mission to Mars, where Emily got to where an astronaut suit and participate in the show, and watched the IMAX movie Space Station, which was very cool.

Astronaut Encounter	Mad Mission to Mars	Robotics

Ag Fair, July '06

It had to have been one of the hottest days of the year! We went to the Ag Fair hosted by our county extension office, and although it was fun, it was really small and a bit disappointing, especially considering the farm country we're in. We'll definitely be branching out to neighboring counties next year.

milking a cow	freshly hatched chicks	petting zoo

Springfield Farm, July '06

We went on a mission to Springfield Farm to purchase two Narragansett hens for our laying flock. While we were there, we enjoyed creamery ice cream, looking at the peacocks and checking out the tamworth pigs, our next project.

Em fell in love with the peacock	Enjoying fresh, creamery ice cream	Tamworth piggies

Zoar Valley, New York, June '06

While on a recent vacation, we went on the most amazing hike into New York State's Zoar Valley. Wow! Well worth the trip for anyone living in the area. The hike was a good one down into the valley—maybe a mile and a half or two miles? The kids spent hours at this confluence point of two creeks, the Cattaraugus Creek and the South Branch Cattaraugus, wading, moving rocks, playing in all the small pools and falls spread out like a natural waterpark with the low water the day we were there and rock climbing one of the cascade.

Moving rocks; making dams.	Sheer joy!	Climbing the bridal veil.

Lilypons Water Gardens, May '06

We live nearby one of the most beautiful water gardening companies in the country. Situated on the Monocacy River in Frederick County, Maryland, Lilypons has several nursery ponds filled with water lillies, several formal water gardens and loads of wildlife to see.This trip caught us in the rain and on an untethered dock floating into the middle of the pond—yikes! We still had fun.

Playing on the lions	Singin' in the rain!	More singin' in the rain...

American Girl, New York City, March '06

As a combined birthday gift, the girls went into Manahttan for the day to do some shopping and have lunch at the American Girl Store.

riding the subway	Rockefeller Center	Lunch at American Girl

National Air and Space Museum, February '06

After a fun metro ride, the kids and I took a whirlwind tour of the Air and Space Museum, though the metro was definitely the highlight of the trip. We've been through this museum one too many times. We need to check out the new annex out by Dulles next trip.

Yet another suspended aircraft.

Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Vega.

Moon rover exhibit.

Chinatown, February '06

In honor of the Chinese New Year, the kids and I took a trip into D.C.s Chinatown for dim sum. We enjoyed a lovely lunch and explored a Chinese grocery and apothecary afterwards. We picked up some lovely rice bowls and some rice for our own new year celebration.

 

Freezing in Chinatown.

Enjoying dim sum!

Traditional herbs out for measure.