Walking Museum Field Trip

Last week I went with Jones and his class on a walking field trip from school to a couple museums that are in town: First City Museum and the Carousel Museum. It was so much fun! A great way to tour our downtown and get a little exercise.

The museum had an area of items taken from a closed prison. They had a cell
set up and this area for pictures, so I couldn't resist!

What a face! He refused to smile, saying that if he was actually in jail he wouldn't
be smiling....smart boy!

A top view of the restored carousel. This thing goes FAST!

Jones and his buddy before the ride started.

Goofing off, as usual!

Class picture down at the park.

Friends on the fence.

Another class picture.

Soccer Season

Well, truthfully, soccer season is one game away from being over for us. I had every intention of getting these pictures up sooner, but "stuff" got in the way as usual! Jones and McKinley were on separate teams due to their age difference. However, they ended up playing on the same days and had the same jerseys. Kinley's team voted on ORANGE FIRE  as their team name, and Jones' team is the TIGERS. They both love playing!

Jones is especially happy when he gets to be goalie.

 

 

The train that goes by several times during every game
and blows its whistle so the kids can't hear the coaches. I love it!
Jones says it was cool at first, but now it's just annoying :)

 

Waiting for the game to start.

Her field is right next to the post pasture, so sometimes we get to
look at this beautiful horse!

As usual, her team shirt is too big so we have to secure it in the back.

Water break!

 

Haunted Fort Leavenworth Tour

It ended up being the perfect night for a creepy ghost tour of our current post. We started in the park with stories around a fire pit, then headed out on foot to hear about the hauntings of this historic place. The sky was clear and the weather was cold...here are some photos of our tour, a sampling of some of the haunted buildings...



A period lady telling tales of Fort Leavenworth.

Gazebo steps.

Hot chocolate to warm those little tummies.

 

Light-up mouth pieces they got in their Halloween Advent. Perfect!



Our guide - he was great! - and his assistant.

 

This used to be housing and is now offices.
There are stories of uniformed soldiers riding their horses through the hallways.

This was a running theme throughout the night!

 

General Custer's wife has been seen in the top floor of this duplex.
This is where they lived after he was court martialed for an unauthorized visit home.

 

The lady in black haunts these duplexes.

 

This is the old disciplinary barracks (prison). When they were renovating it,
there were some strange forces working against them. No one likes to
work late at night here, especially on the 3rd floor.

 

The many residents of this residence have reported tea parties that
take place in the dining room.

And here's the sleepy lady, again. She did wake up for pizza when we got home.

American Royal Rodeo Field Trip!

I went with McKinley on her first field trip of the year. We toured the American Royal Museum and then got to watch the Youth Rodeo. It was awesome! Kids as young as 5 were out there riding bucking sheep! It was a great experience, and our school looked so cute in the matching shirts they made prior in the week.

Ready for the rodeo!

Riding the art steer in the museum.



Kinley and her BFF, in the livestock gate getting weighed. They are so cute!
 

Some pre-rodeo activities include learning about sheep herding...

and a petting zoo.
 

This is an 8 year old doing the barrel racing. She finished in under 16 seconds. Amazing!
 

Here's my beauty enjoying the show!

Roping a calf. I think this was a 12 or 13 year old.

 

And McKinley's FAVORITE were the 15 year old twins standing/riding double horses and doing tricks with their 6 year old sister. It was pretty impressive!
 

Mother and baby sculpture.

Giant steel wall with bull cut-outs right before the entrance to the ARR.