Memories Made

This past week I got to go on my first field trip with Paityn.  In the past field trips always seemed to be at times that I just couldn't miss work.  I was SO excited when my opportunity came.  AND, it was a place with great meaning for our family.

On April 26th the fourth grade students made a trek to Viestenz Smith Mountain Park.  It was a day filled with so many adventures.  Arriving at school, we couldn't miss the opportunity to take that "hold the camera" ourselves shot that Paityn and I always have.  God bless my daughter and her patience and participation with my never ending picture taking.  I really hope that someday she looks back and appreciates it.

It wasn't long after we arrived that we were met with our partners in crime for the day, Paityn's friend Emma and her Mom Wendy.  The girls love that Wendy and I went to school together for years.  It sure does give Wendy and I some fun conversations to talk about those times.  I quickly also realized that I only knew the names of two kids in my group meant that I had to revert my school days and write "roll call" on my hand.  I know, my mother and father would probably still get upset if they saw me doing it, but it sure did work great to remember that I needed to keep an eye on Josh and that Emily was the best kid about staying in my group.

The excitement of the kids is something that will never cease to bring back great memories and amaze me.  I have to say that I was a bit nervous about the bus trip and was glad to be surprised by kids that behaved the whole way and actually maintained a decent noise level.

Our day at the park consisted of playing a food chain game (each kid got to be a grasshopper, lizard or hawk and tag the people who were below them in the chain), stations where we learned about the different types of habitats in our area, how to protect those habitats and about what exists in the area for wildlife and plants, lunch in the beautiful Colorado sun,  and hiking steep hills on search of scat (animal poop).  Now, normally when fourth graders talk about poop it is with voices filled with laughter.  I don't think I will ever again hear  near silence when someone yells, "I found scat!!!"  I know that it is such a lame explanation of it, but as I said, I am a picture taker.  So, enjoy the day from our view.

Receiving Instructions for the game

My litte runner... is track and field in her future? 

I loved this bear!!! 

Thanks to all the great volunteers who worked with us! 

Sitting at our stations

Paityn and a classmate playing a game

Finding Scat

Deciding what is tracks versus what is the way the mud flows. 

Such a beautiful day in the Colorado Foothills!!

My favorite girl! 

Her patience with pictures was wearing thin...

A special place for us... this is where we took wedding pictures when Corbin and I got married! 

Miss P Body and her friend Emma

Paityn's teacher and her daughter, who is also in 4th grade

Thanks to one amazing group of kids for a very memorable day!!!

A very special thank you to Paityn's teacher, Shawn Germane. Her passion for the kids is amazing.  We have been truly blessed to have her in our lives this year and to have the memories that she has made for Paityn.