Field Trips

The kids had field trips last friday.  I was a bit bummed that they fell on the same day, I always like tagging along with them.  Happily, Mike was able to take Friday off and join in the fun.  Mike and Alex went to Pioneer Days and Ben and I went to Inner Space Caverns.

Inner Space Caverns

First graders get to go on a cave tour, it's pretty darn cool.  There are lots and lots of caves in central Texas, some of them quite large.  Inner Space Caverns is up in Georgetown, and the cave itself extends a good 4 1/2 miles.  The part we got to see was about a half mile one way, so it ended up being about a mile walk.  It's very beautiful.  I did not get to see the cave when Alex was in first grade.  I went on the trip but the other child that was paired up with Alex couldn't stomach the stale cave air.  I had to take him back to the surface and hang out with him while the others were on the tour.  Anyway, this year I was determined not to get shorted again.  I love caves, would love to go spelunking at some point.  This one was beautiful, the tour guide brought along a black light so that we could see the calcite formations glow.  Apparently that is not standard, so yay for special treats!  Here are a few pictures:

After the  cave tour the kids each got a bag of sand that they got to take to the water troughs and sift to find treasures - all things that may have been found in the cave or surrounding area at one time.  Ben's bag included several different kinds of minerals, some fossils, an arrowhead and a sharks tooth.   He was thrilled with his loot.  We got to picnic outside and visit with the resident zebra, horses and goats.  Yes, there really is a zebra by the cave.

Pioneer Days

Mike went with Alex to a park in Round Rock for Pioneer Days.  They said it was also lots of fun. This is an annual event and the kids learn about life in pioneer times.  They got to make rag dolls, learned about making rugs, traditional clothing, music, school in those times, etc.  Alex also got to dance around a may pole (they went on May Day, and this area was largely settled by Germans).  Apparently there was much more to do but they ran out of time and only got to visit about half the stations.  Sounded like fun and if we don't go next year on our own, then at least I know I get to go with Ben in 2 years.    A few pictures for you...