Christmas at the Museum

I'm getting a bit behind in posting. Things have been getting a bit busy here.

We went to a Christmas at the museum field trip put on by someone on one of the local homeschool groups.

 We could only stay for half of it because we made other commitments for the afternoon. We chose to do the indoor section since we forgot to bring mittens for the outdoor part. We went around the world and learned about holiday celabrations in different countries.

There were stations set up with different crafts, reading and games to show examples of things that are different from place to place.

Alpaca Farm Field Trip

I set up a trip for our homeschool group to go to an Alpaca farm in our area. The kids were shown what machines are used to prepare the wool from the Alpacas.

She showed them some types of yarn and felt that have been made.

 The kids were shown things that are made with the wool. Here are some felted items that were made by hand. If you want a good blog that features alot of home-made felting projects a good one to visit is The Magic Onions. She also sells felted toys and other items.

 These are the boys. They are kept on their own.

The kids got to go into the barn with the animals and outside with them. The animals seemed so friendly and many of them were timid.



Fort Edmonton

Dad got to tag along on a Homeschool field trip to Fort Edmonton. Above he is riding at the back of the street car with some of the kids.

He asked this nice lady if she'd like a drink at the saloon across the street but she made it clear to him that she is a respectable lady. LOL!! Then he asked if she'd like to walk down the street with him and she said yes. I got this picture of him escorting her down the street. 

This is the tour of a farm house. I think the man's name is Mr. Edison.

This is a school house. It was a huge difference from the school house we visited close to the same time period in Ontario. There were no books, the school was a small log house. There were not enough slates for everyone in the class. The teacher traveled for months, sleeping under the wagon for part of the trip to get there. She had no home so this was her home but the stove was just for heat and warm water so she was fed by the other families of the town. They helped her and she helped them during the time school was out. They only had school during the winter and it didn't start until everything was ready for winter (harvesting etc). As soon as they were able to plant seeds school was out so that the children could help in the fields and preparing for winter (making clothes etc.)

Look closely... do you recognize the teacher? She is the one who Dad offered a drink to! LOL!!! 

This is the hardware store. The kids are learning what things are here. They had many other stores and buildings in the town.

It looks like it's snowing here in Edmonton and the ground is covered in the seeds from the trees. It is too tempting for Zoe and her friend. They kept playing with it. 

We took a train ride. 

Dad enjoyed the ride.

This is a Matee woman knitting by the fire in the fort. The fort was here not for purposes of war or protection but for trading furs across Canada and sending them to England.

We visited the small native settlement outside of the fort and asked many questions. around 10 people would stay in one tee-pee. 

The highlight of our stay was the short time we spent with these two people. They were amazing actors. She is a news reporter, reporting on what life is like for this man who traveled months to get here from Toronto. He is living in a tent, like many other professionals until his house can be built. There is a shortage of labourers to build houses.

This is the tent he was living in. Austyn sat with them and chatted their ears off. They matched his conversation with interesting facts to match anything he had to say, comparing his time to theirs. They were wonderful!

Here is a dance called the Grizzly Bear that they showed us. It was popular at the time. 

We visited the carnival. This is one of the free rides. If you look closely you'll see a woman turning a large wheel. That is what powers the ride. Her arms must be strong to turn this all day.

Here the kids are playing a fishing game to win a prize.

Posing at the end of the day. We are tired and ready to go home.

It was fun to bring Grandpa along on our field trip.

Nature on the Farm

 This huge farm property at Rainbows End Farm provided many opportunities to view nature. There were hawks, ravens, woodpeckers and many other birds.

 This cow bird was taking a rest after enjoying the mud in the cows pen.

 The children were sent on a nature scavenger hunt. They had to find a beaver chewed piece of wood, leaves, a piece of coal, a piece of sandstone, a live animal or insect, a wild flower and much more. 

 The scenery was spectacular.

 A sight I'm not use to seeing... I think a beaver was here.

 The stream was a favourite for the kids.

 Weird place for a mushroom.

 A beaver was here as well.

 This is one sandstone that the Tyrell Dinosaur Museum Scientists left behind of a duck-billed dinosaur foot print.

Playing on the Farm

 The kids got to play in the play area on the huge property at Rainbows End Farm. They had wooden play equipment, an old pioneer style wagon that served as a slide, a wooden miniature fort style sandbox, a couple of ti-pis with sandboxes inside, and a basketball net. While they played we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows for lunch. They also provided a morning snack and an afternoon snack. The owner was a wonderful host. 

 Here they are shooting hoops.

 Zoe enjoyed playing in a ti-pi with a friend.

Austyn and his friend tried to swing as high as they could.

Hands-On Farm Experience

 We went on a field trip with one of our homeschool groups to Rainbows End Farm. It was a great way to learn more about farm animals. In the above picture the donkey across the lane is being stubborn. 

The farm is set up in stations and at each there is a laminated sign that talks about the animals there and gives an activity for each child to try.

 Zoe feeding the baby goats.

 She was an expert at catching animals. 

 Austyn caught one.

The older goats loved to chew on my pants.

 Austyn feeding the baby goats with his friends.

 This kitty was hiding from the crowd of kids.

 The little ones were learning about rabbits and got to hold a baby.

 Zoe enjoyed this.

 Austyn got to hold a baby rabbit with the older kids as well.

 They took a goat for a walk around the farm yard.

 They could touch the goslings and ducklings.

 I placed a duckling on Zoe's lap.

 They got to choose to walk a donkey, a lama, or an alpaca. 

 They got to brush a donkey.

 Feeding the animals can be fun.

 These cows didn't mind visitors at all. They just lounged in the sun.

 Here is Zoe holding one of the chicks from the incubator.

 Austyn held a duckling.

 Austyn's friend had such a nice, warm, comfortable hold that his duckling fell right to sleep. 

 We took a wagon ride around the farm to see some more animals and ask questions about them.

This farm was an all around experience. Animals, farm life, nature, playing with friends. I have a couple more posts to do on this farm. Stay tuned for some pictures of their play time and nature on the farm.