A day at the Wetlands...

 Bright and early Weds. morning, we headed out for a long trip to the Wetlands Education Center for a morning class on the Wetlands, which we have been reading about for school. The kids were so excited, especially since we were traveling with good friends for the day.

We arrived just in time for the class and Pam, the wildlife educator, was waiting and ready for us. She had great plans for our kids! We started in the classroom and talked about wetlands- what makes a wetland a wetland and what lives there.

I didn't realize the kids were going to get an up close and personal look at what lives in the wetlands... 

they loved it as she pulled out each critter and let them touch them and talked about them...

Then it was time to head outside for our nature walk on the trail by the center, the weather was perfect to be outside and enjoy God's amazing creation...

We didn't realize were we in for a special unplanned treat... butterflies to catch and examine...

Monarchs to tag so they can be tracked in their migration to Mexico. 

Each of the kids helped catch butterflies, tag them and then release them...

Of course, all the smiles and laughter was music to a mommy's heart...

After we finished at the education center, we headed out into Cheyenne Bottoms to see a lot of wetlands wildlife in their homes...

Abigayl was so excited when she found this little guy tucking himself in for a long, life changing nap...

We say birds, birds and more birds! Herons, egrets, ducks cormorants and much more...

We also saw a few more butterflies, including this beautiful Swallowtail...

We finally hit the road and headed home, the kids pulled out their nature journals and drew pictures and wrote about their days as we headed down the highway.

It you want to read about wetlands and wildlife, here are a few books that we have enjoyed this week...

Squish! A Wetlands Walk by Nancy Luenn

Wetlands Soggy Habitat by Laura Purdie Salas

What are Wetlands- A Bobbie Kalman Book

Near One Cattail- Turtles, logs and Leaping Frogs by Anthony D. Fredricks

WOW! Wonders of the Wetlands Education Guide
Here is the Wetlands by Madeleine Dunphy
Mallards by Margaret Hall
Herons by Margaret Hall

Almost wordless Wednesday...

We found these beautiful butterflies on our nature walk the other morning,they are one of my favorite parts of God's Creations! We spent about 45 minutes watching them, chase them, etc.

Sunday Snapshot {Our week in review}

Eli with his pet rollie pollie...it was fun while it lasted but at traumatic life that ended a bit early...

Playing in the rain...

Homecoming fun for Heghine as she experienced her first American Homecoming... the parade, singing the National Anthem at the football game and much more...

Fun with friends at the football game...

 Celebrating Johnny Appleseeds' (John Chapman) birthday in school with home made apple tarts...

sweet memories of another busy week...

Stop by Stefanie's to check out some other Sunday snapshots.

And the winners are.... (sorry I haven't posted for a week, I'm catching up this morning!)

The correct answer is 37... that's how many stars on the American Flag in 1868! 

Since we only had a few people reply, we are giving away several small item:) If the following moms will send me their addresses, I'll get your little items in the mail this week! It's small things but we hope your kids enjoy them!

Shannon

Marlise

Emily

Stefanie, Jen & Adeye, if you email me your addresses, Lenna would like to send you a Fort Larned Post Card for your kids as well! Barb, she has 1 for you too:)

email addresses to quiltnmama2@gmail.com

Sunday Snapshot (a little late)- {Our little Saturday adventure...}

We headed off Saturday morning to explore a frontier fort a ways from where we live.

 The morning was beautiful for the drive. The Fort is tucked back in a bend on the river away from the road, so as you head to the visitors center, you begin your journey back in time! We had to stop a bit and check out the river before we headed the rest of the way in...

 This particular fort was sometimes known as the Guardian of the Santa Fe Trail. This fort was also a post of the 10th US Calvary Company A- Buffalo Soldiers. Neat history in this little place on the plains!
 The kids picked up their Jr. Ranger packets when we arrived and began to explore. The kids worked hard to find all the answers to the questions in their books...

 

We checked out the kitchen, the hospital, barracks and the supply office.

 

The kids all tried on the wool jackets that the soldiers living there had to wear whether it was summer or winter. They all decided that it would not be a fun uniform in the 100 degree summer sun!

 

Of course, boys will be boys... they loved the cannons and the tools to load them!

Abigayl was not too thrilled to be chosen to be the "prisoner" and to try out the "ball and chain."

 

A sweet moment for Heghine on Saturday, Nate is slowly warming up to having a "big sister" and willingly let her carry him for awhile:)

We had lots of fun, learned about history and made some great memories... The kids turned in their ranger books and added another badge to their collections. Then this mama gave the marching orders and we hit the trail on to our next adventure...

The kids' favorite part... the American flag proudly waving over the fort which can be seen for miles around!

(the fort is restored to 1868... can you figure out how many stars were on the American flag then? Leave me a note with your guess and we'll draw (randomly) on Weds. at lunch time and send a little something to a winner:)

Stop by Stephanie's to check out some other great Sunday Snapshots!

"Obedience is having the overwhelming desire to walk in the center of God's will at every moment....

Saying yes to God isn't about perfect performance, but rather perfect surrender to the Lord day by day."
- Lysa TerKeurst

Wordless Wednesday...

Everlasting God...

Yesterday was the memorial service for my friend's husband, really it was a celebration of his life and an amazing time of worship. Together we spent time in worship, even in our grief. This man lived a life that honored God and was unashamed to let the world know. What strength the Lord gives us in life's challenges when we wait on him! Please continue to pray for his family as they face each day without him as a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend...

One of the songs we sang was Everlasting God by Chris Tomlin. I have been pondering the words to this song since...

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

Sunday Snapshot {visiting the well}

Yesterday I had some business to take care of down in ranch country so the kids and I headed out. Once everything was taken care of and we were headed home, we made a spur of the moment decision to stop and check out the Basin and see if we could find the buffalo herd there. We turned of the highway and headed in to the pasture...

We stopped along the way to admire God's amazing creation... beautiful colors and interesting critters...

We reached the edge of the little basin and the trail to St. Jacob's Well but had only seen one buffalo in the distance. 

 We decided to hike down to the well since it has been awhile since our last visit. After reminding the kids to be very careful walking down and to watch for rattle snakes and tarantulas, we headed out.

The well is truly an amazing little place, well known in the history of the area because it has not ever gone dry. It was a known watering hole for the Indians before the settlers arrived in this part of the country and then was used by military patrols, cowboys on cattle drives and settlers.

 The weather was beautiful and the Red Eared Sliders were sunning themselves in abundance! Always a treat to watch...

 We took some time to simply sit and watch, to observe and also talk about what blessings we have in life. We talked about the "living water" that Jesus offers... water that quenches all thirst...

 After awhile, the boys were off again, ready to see where we were headed next...

 I was just enjoying the beauty of it all... but tummies were hungry and we still had a bit to go before we were home, so back up the trail we headed...

We stopped a few more times to check out the critters and talk about blessings that come when you follow the Son!

 Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." John 4:10

 Take a moment to stop by Stephanie's and check out some other Sunday snapshots!