Great Plains Nature Center, Part 2

I forgot one very important event when I wrote about our trip to the Nature Center.  While we were in the gift shop we picked up dessert for the evening.

Yep, that's right.  Larvets, a cheddar cheese worm delicacy.  The girls loved them and couldn't wait to serve them to Will.

I really wanted to catch his reaction before it went away - that's why my finger blocked the shot.

He was totally grossed out.  He was really bothered by the fact that you could really see their legs.  Eating it was completely out of his comfort zone.  He did it out of love - for the children, not me.  They really aren't that bad.  They're just basically airy shells.  They don't taste much like cheddar cheese, though.

We can't wait to share them with our extended family!

Okay, the last thing I want to talk about is the game that I made. 

I had to make a game for the class I took earlier this summer at the Nature Center.  This is super easy and anyone can do it.  

Make a generic board of some sort and make some question/activity cards.  Each player finds something in nature to be their playing piece.  Find a piece of bark to determine how many spaces each player moves.  Rough side means two spaces, smooth side means one.  Roll it just like a die.

The game will be different each time its played because the cards are specific to the nature you are in.  Here are some examples:  Find something rough.  Look for a cloud, what does it look like?  Find two insects.  How are they the same and different?

Keep it in your car and you always have some extra fun on hand!  

The girls loved it.

Find a soft spot to lay on.

Act like an animal.  - She was a deer.

Great Plains Nature Center

Earlier this summer I had to take a class for my teaching re-certification.  I chose to take one at the Great Plains Nature Center.  I had heard really great things about it, but had never been there.  Let me tell you, it surpassed all the good things that I had heard.  I could not wait to take my kids. 

Last week, I felt like it had finally cooled off enough to return.  We started inside by looking around in their little "museum".  It is great for small children and adults alike.  It has things to touch, hear, read, and look at.  I learned a lot about the animals and vegetation that are common to Kansas.  Taylor enjoyed it all and Emma liked everything except the loud Bison sounds.

After that we picked up a few cones full of turtle food for a quarter each and headed out on the trails to the turtle pond.

This is only a fraction of the turtles that came to dine.

After the turtles, we hit the trails for a little exploration.  While we were out we even saw a deer!  He was too fast to take a picture of.

Stopping to admire a dragon fly.

We spent the rest of the time playing a nature game that I made (a post coming about that later).

  

We had a really great morning and can't wait to go back!  They have so much more to do - and its all free!

Updates

I wanted to take a moment to update you on a few things.  Emma's night terrors/sleep walking has gotten much better.  The past week and half she has had some episodes, but most of them have been in her bed and easy to take care of.  Last night she didn't have any problems at all!  Thanks for those of you who prayed for her.  Pray that it continues to be better!

A couple days ago the girls were watching a tree trimming company and Taylor declared (therefore, Emma agreed) that when she grows up she wants to run the wood chipping machine.  Not exactly what I had hoped her occupation would be, but hey, at least she'll have a job.

And finally, I just wanted to leave you with some pictures of a great Daddy.

Rejuvenation for the Soul

We've had a few bad sleeping nights and this morning when I woke up I was really feeling the effects.  Not only did they sleep bad, but it was 6:30 in the morning and they were already awake.  How is that possible?!?  I was grumpy and anyone who crossed my path would have noticed it.

I knew immediately that I needed to spend some alone time in the Word to rejuvenate my soul.  Alone time. HA! 

I told the girls that I needed to read my Bible and pray before breakfast and they needed to play for awhile.  Emma, instead, said that she too, wanted to read her Bible!  "What a blessing", I thought to myself, "God, you know just what I need".  Taylor then sat down beside us and began hitting Emma because she wanted that Bible!  So much for rejuvenation for the soul.

I was finally able to sit quietly and pray.  I've been reading Jesus: 90 Days With the One and Only by Beth Moore.  Today's reading was about confession of our sins and repentance.  She discussed the importance of naming the sin and talking to God about why it doesn't agree with God's Word (pg. 63).  She goes on to say that "daily confession is like refreshment to our souls".  That is exactly what I was needing!

I sat down looking for God to give me something or do something for me.  Instead, it was I, that had some work to do.  Isaiah 44:22 says, "Therefore, make us quick to return to You, for you have redeemed us.  Make us eager to wear Your righteousness and holiness as You are to wear our sins."

I asked for forgiveness for my bad attitude and prayed that I would instead be filled with joy, patience, kindness, and gentleness. 

Yes, God did indeed, know just what I needed.

Mr. Right ***Warning***This is a mushy one***

I met my husband, Will, at church when I was in college.  I liked him long before we ever dated.  I would see him in the hallway and my heart would beat faster.  He would talk to me and I would feel butterflies in my stomach.

Last Sunday I had to be at church a few hours before he and the girls.  My morning was really busy and, I can't believe it, but my family had not even crossed my mind.  I was going about my business and I saw him turn the corner.  My heart started beating faster and I felt butterflies in my stomach.  I know this is sappy, but I enjoyed being surprised by those feelings.  He's a cutie!  And now, he's all mine.

This picture was taken on my birthday 10 years ago when we were dating.

Teach Your Children Well

The girls were playing house this morning when I overheard this exchange.

Emma:  What's this?
Taylor:  A wipe with poop on it.
Emma:  Ewww.
Taylor:  I'm letting it dry so I can use it again.

I think they understand how important it is to recycle and save money.

Sleep Walking

I had always envisioned sleep walkers as being stiff - almost zombie like.  That is not the case.  Emma has become a sleep walker.  She is very active and fluid with her movements. I believe that her sleep walking is triggered by night terrors, but not 100% certain.  She cries, but doesn't scream like most children.  Most professionals say that night terrors are caused by being overly tired, but we give her ample time to sleep.  It has gone on for a few weeks now, almost nightly.

It is such an interesting phenomenon.  Her eyes are open, but she is not awake.  She'll talk to us, but makes no sense.  We, and the surroundings in our home, become part of her dream.  We can't wake her up, and we're told that we shouldn't even try.

It happens around the same time each night - about an 1 hr to 1 1/2 hrs after she goes to sleep.  Thankfully, we are still awake to keep her safe.  We've kept her from going down stairs and climbing on our bed.  A few nights ago while we were in the basement, we came up and found her trying to get in a closet next to the front door.  I fear that she was trying to get outside.

Its getting easier, and she doesn't remember anything the next morning, but it is still heartbreaking to watch.  I hope she outgrows this soon.