Thursday, April 29, 2010

Spring Field Trips

We are LOVING spring and our re-found ability to spend hours per day outside. This includes many trips to the playground at our apartment, Big Wheel riding on the front sidewalk, and this week, some "field trips" with the other moms and kids on our street. Thanks to my creative friends for coming up with these great outings. It's nice for the kids to experience new things, and it's so great to get out with friends and enjoy the weather and the chance to get a good walk.

Tuesday, we headed to the neighborhood fire station right around the corner from our apartments. We were told by our great hosts that they run one of the busiest stations in the city. Of course, we were not surprised; we hear their sirens flying by everyday. :-) The kids got a tour of the fire engine and all of its compartments. They also each got the chance to climb inside the truck. Then, we went inside for a brief tour of the firefighters' and paramedics' "home away from home." The kids LOVED it, and now when we come home from going somewhere, Nathan sees the fire station and gets excited and yells "fire station!" After the trip out, we came home and let all of our kids play outside on the playground for almost 90 minutes. It was a great morning-really the reason I love to be home with my kids.

The stroller brigade enters the fire station


Today, a few of us headed just north of our homes to UNL's East Campus to visit the Tractor Museum. Most of the kids on this trip were boys (Laura had school today), and they all loved watching the tractors on the big track outside and then getting to sit on several antiques inside the museum. Nathan got to "drive" several different tractors. After the museum, we headed to the UNL Dairy Store for some ice cream at 10:00 am. Not a very orthodox way to eat at that hour of the morning, but it was such a fun treat for the kids AND for us. :-)
As I write, Cliff is now down to one more concert before he can call his semester complete. "Summer Cliff" is making his return to our family. We love him all year long, but "Summer Cliff" is very special to us. He's relaxed, jovial, and most importantly home a lot more!

Gina

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