Trains!

On Friday, we took a field trip to the Durham Museum with some friends from one of our homeschool groups. The Durham Museum was once Union Station, one of the busiest train stations in the country. After it closed its doors to passengers, it reopened them to visitors wanting to see a bit of Omaha's history.
Of course I forgot my camera, but I managed to get a few cute (if fuzzy) pictures on my phone. The "conductor" who led the boys and their friends through the museum was amazing! He made it so interesting for them. He finally had to leave, but I agree with one of the other mothers who opined that the kids could have happily followed him around for another hour. So here's to Mr. Johnson for making a great field trip even better!

 

There were many speaking statues throughout the old lobby who told us about the station and life in the 1930s and '40s.

 

The kids posing in front of a UP engine. Mr. Johnson said this engine brought people to the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition in 1898. (At least I think that's what he said- Isabel kept running off right at the good parts!)

 "Riding" in a streetcar.

 

Finally, enjoying some old fashioned stick candy at the "original" soda fountain, where passengers could stop for a snack.

Pioneers and Gingerbread

On Fridays our local Catholic homeschool group gets together for playdates, field trips, or service projects. This Friday was a field trip Friday, which we spent at the Mormon Trail Center Winter Quarters learning about pioneers and their journey west.
A pioneer tour would not be authentic without the proper attire, so everyone began at the dress up trunk where they chose their outfits.

Although the displays focused specifically on the Mormons' journey from Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah with their winter stay and the hardships faced at Winter Quarters (in what is now North Omaha, NE) much of what they went through was faced by all pioneers. The children were able to see a covered wagon and experience making choices about what to bring and what to leave behind. They learned about the weather conditions (and the MUD!) the travelers had to endure. Some of the earlier Mormon pioneers used handcarts which they pushed and pulled themselves, across all those thousands of miles. Emanuel had a chance to help pull one (and I didn't get a picture- grrr!). The children also got to fit themselves into the tiny replica log cabin that an entire family would live in all winter. We thought we  were crowded in our small apartment, but really it is quite luxurious compared to that cabin!

Emanuel loading a wagon with supplies.

After the pioneer tour, we went to the lower level of the Mormon Trail Center to see their gingerbread house display. Wow! There were so many great gingerbread houses. The kids all did a scavenger hunt through the houses, looking for certain houses on their list. Emanuel posed for me in front of his favorite gingerbread creation... a ship!

Some Photos

This month, we've done some hiking, park play and a fun day in the fountain at the Joslyn Art Museum.

The Joslyn Art Museum

Every few months, the Joslyn has a family day with crafts and activities for the whole family. We finally decided to go to one. It was so much fun! The boys made bead necklaces like the Native Americans and Possible Bags, which trappers would carry on their journeys to hold essentials. Isabel really had fun looking at all the art. We'll definitely be going back for the next one!

The Children's Museum