Space Rockets In Flight And Found Treasure!

Have you ever had one of those crazy, exciting experiences that leaves you wide eyed amazed? Well I had one yesterday.     My daughter-in-law and I took the girls to the park to launch a rocket I had bought. Just a simple rocket launched using two large rubberbands. The girls were so, so excited! You might say over the moon. Pun intended. When we arrived at the park my granddaughter Breanna said I might not want to park where I did because there was a bee's nest. I was thinking a bee's nest more along the lines of a wasp nest. I pulled a little more forward and put the truck in park and we all piled out.                                                                                                                                                                  

 We found a surprise at the park!

                                                                                                      

               THIS is what we saw buzzing about. Honey bees!

Gracie, another granddaughter, was scared and afraid we were all going to be stung. Actually I think she thought the bees were going to attack and carry us off because she started running and yelling, "They're going to sting us!" Once she realized the bees were calm and weren't excited she calmed down. I'm pretty sure she thought I and her mother had lost our ever loving minds though because we ventured close.......closer............and closer still. We wanted to get a good look. A REALLY good look. And look we did. We looked at those bees until we were practically ogle-eyed. 

 This picture was taken approximately five feet from where the bees were flying in and out of a large crack in this elm tree. The girls had quickly lost interest in the bees and had run off to play soon after we arrived. Except for Gracie. She stayed close by. Not because she wanted to see the bees, but I think because she thought she might have to rescue me and her mom. Hee Hee! Just call my daughter-in-law and I the bee charmers! Those bees certainly seemed to be charmed by us and never appeared threatened anyway. Finally we had our fill of watching the bees and resorted to doing what we had come to the park to do. Make memories and have fun with the girls.

                                                  10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 ,2, 1 BLAST OFF!

                                                                 Space rocket in flight!

 

This is going to be a good launch. Look at that form.

 

Aim it over there. Keep clear. Don't shoot yourself in the eye!

 

Stretch it tight and Let R fly!

Rocket in flight!

 

Getting ready to launch.

Let's see, I think we hook it here.

We accomplished so much more in this afternoon than the story these pictures tell. We created memories. A timeless treasure these girls can carry with them throughout the years. Special times and bonding. Time spent together is never regretted or wasted. My hope is that one day they will look back and remember times like these and emulate them for their own precious children. I hope they will take these lessons to heart and repeat them in their own families one day and they will be heard to say, "I remember when," and then tell the next generation a timeless story of love.

 A story about them and their story and their family history. Of a day that grandma, mom, aunts, and nieces spent the afternoon together in the park flying rockets. An afternoon making memories because today doesn't last forever and because we love them and want them to have the legacy of a close, bonded family.  The dollar fifty I spent on that rocket was worth it's weight in gold for the treasure it contained in memory making and an afternoon full of fun.

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.Psalm 127:3-5

Wildlife Expo - Best Ever Field Trip

I thought I would share a few random things from our homeschool adventures over the years. School will be starting soon and this is usually the first outing of the year for us.  For the last several years we have attended the Wildlife Expo at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma.  The Expo is usually always held close to the last weekend of September. If you haven't been to this and live in the area it's worth the trip.

We always pack our lunch and spend the whole day. Wear comfortable shoes because you will be walking a lot! 

In this picture my daughter and granddaughter are paddling a canoe. The crew putting on the expo always make a huge pond in the middle of the area for the canoe paddling. Judging from the long lines of children waiting for a turn it's the most popular event of the expo!

McKenna had to have her face fainted at the face painting exhibit. Another booth the girls love.

The girls also take time out to look over all the information in each booth. Here my daughter McKenna and granddaughters, Breanna, Gracie and Raylee are standing in front of the Black Kettle National Grasslands booth. All the exhibitors are so informative and are willing to explain things.

McKenna taking a turn at crossing a rope bridge. An exhibit put on by the Boy Scouts. Believe it or not there was quite the line to try this too.

McLarin trying her hand at shooting an arrow

You can probalby tell these pictures are from several different years of our attending. Here McLarin is trying her hand at shooting an arrow. She loved the fact that she was able to do something the big girls were doing.

McKenna shooting an arrow

Here McKenna is trying out the bow and arrow for herself. Breanna, Gracie and Raylee wait patiently for their turn.







Below McKenna is standing in front of an elk skeleton. All of us thought this was pretty cool.

 McLarin and daddy viewing an exhibit.

McKenna trying out the fishing with a bow and arrow.

McLarin and daddy in front of the eagle spread. It wasn't intentional, but she stretched out her little arm as if she was trying to measure the eagles wing span too. We loved this picture so much and we laugh every time we look at it.

In addition to these activities there is always lots more. Also lots of native wildlife such as quail, pheasant, various snakes, birds and turtles. There is also an alligator that the kids can pet. Not to worry, it's small and it's mouth is taped shut. This is always one of our favorite filed trips of the year and we plan to go again this year.