Field Trips

Last week we had fun going on several field trip outings with two different home school groups in which we belong.  On Monday we went to the CARE Foundation in Apopka which rescues wild animals (some that were in commercials and then they were no longer wanted, etc). Some places may do rescues and then find new homes for the animals but this place keep this animal for the rest of its life.  I had no idea that you could just be driving down the street and behind some trees, people may have lions, tigers, bears, etc in pens!  I assume they are licensed to do so at least...one would hope.

We got to see some animals out of the cages before the tour started.  Wow, even Gronk is on the tour!! 

Meeting the ferret.

This is as close as I got. 

Also hard to see but if you look closely you will see a fox sleeping on the roof of this building.  Look at his position.  So funny!

Our tour guide, Kelly.  She said you could be as young as 12 to volunteer here as long as a parent was with you.  That got the wheels churning!

Probably my very favorite thing to see there was the habitat that held a raccoon, two house cats, and a bobcat.  They were all together and the raccoon and cat were even snuggling. It was so cool!  I find that kind of thing so neat...to see animals that are friends that you wouldn't expect.

Hard to see but this is the raccoon and the cat.  

We got to help in a sort of rescue at the end.  We had to park in a very sandy area and almost everyone had left before us.  As I pulled out, I was a little nervous that we were going to get stuck because it seemed like our tires were spinning for a second. Fortunately, we made it. But then I looked over and saw a lady in an SUV that was most definitely stuck. She was just shooting sand out from under her tires and getting her car stuck even worse. I parked our car (on the non-sandy part) and went over to her to tell her to stop and I'd go find help. Her boys were scared in the back seat so I told her to have them come into my van and watch a movie to distract them. Thankfully a couple of male employees were still milling around and I filled them in on the situation and one of them got boards while the other went and got a Jeep to help pull the SUV out. The owner of the Jeep, who I think ran the Foundation, joked that this was probably the only time the 4-wheel drive will ever be used on the Jeep. It was a little touch and go but they finally got the SUV out. The kids were very enthralled with the whole thing.

On Wednesday we went in a much different direction and did a Krispy Kreme tour!  I have actually never stepped foot into one before as I am not a huge donut lover although I'll eat one if it's put in front of me. I sort of felt like we were cheating because Dunkin Donuts is from my (almost said "our" but I realized that my kids, in fact, are not from MA) home state and all.  Not to mention that "America runs on Duncan" errr...Dunkin.  But, we couldn't pass up the educational aspect of seeing how donuts are made.  I will say that everyone was super nice there and you could tell they liked their jobs. The lady giving the tour had been working there for nine years.  Wow! That's a long time to be making donuts.  I said "Tell me the truth...you hate donuts, right?" Indeed! As we expected, we got a free donut at the end and the kids were quick to say "This is better than Dunkin Donuts!" I think they might be right.

Feeling the donut dough. They did throw it away afterwards.  I was worried there for a minute! 

Man, I really got my money's worth out of this jersey purchase.

Dipping her donut into the chocolate.

Also last week, although not a field trip because it was a Sunday, we went to the Orlando Home and Garden Show. We always like to get good ideas for our home and garden.  Okay, that sounded lame but whatever. Ron and Elaine accompanied us and they were nice to take the children to the kid's activities so Duncan and I could walk around alone.

Face Painting.  A football - - who would have guessed. But look...No Gronk jersey!

They had a dog rescue station and we couldn't get the kids away from the puppies.  Please, we need to get home to your own puppies we kept imploring.

Elaine took this and I don't know exactly what was being said but I loved how Calleigh was touching Colby's head and talking to him.

Lunch break for the crew.  

This week the Reeveses were in town for some meetings at AHS so we did our usual dinner outing with them and the Isidros.  We also saw them later in the week as AHS was having their annual "Conference on Mission" meetings on Friday night and Sabbath at a nearby hotel.  Duncan took the girls on Friday night to vespers and to church on Sabbath.  I joined with the boys after I got done teaching SS.  Also a highlight was stopping at AHS on the way home and Duncan showed us his building and his office.  We had never been there before. The kids were enthralled and as we were leaving Brady says to Duncan, "Daddy, you probably have the best work I've ever seen."

Monday evening at Winter Garden Pizza Company.  The kids all insisted on wearing their Patriots gear since everyone else was a Broncos fan. It really was the kids' idea...I swear!

On the first floor they have a mock patient room and doctor's office.

The "break room" near Duncan's office.

His office which is on the top floor.

He has a balcony area right outside of his office.

The dogs are doing well although honestly I can't believe they haven't broken any legs yet.  They tear around the back yard at like 30 miles an hour and change direction a fraction of a second before they'd plow into the cement fireplace. We have found various scraps and cuts, some more serious than others, especially on Donner.  We don't even know when it happens because they don't make a peep when it does, apparently.  You'll just be cozying up to one of them and you'll look and be like "Oh wow. Donner has a gash that goes all the way through his snout." So yeah, they're crazy out there.  We have also discovered that Dasher is the one who likes to beg and steal food. You'll find him standing up on top of the table in the blink of an eye. Donner is the one who hates the crate and will cry for some of the time he's in there. Despite having some of these issues, and despite already wrecking at least three different shoes and numerous toys, we are still crazy about them.

I generally don't like the dogs upstairs because I'm afraid they'll poop but sometimes the girls like to sneak them up there.  This picture cracked me up because of Colby's face and him pulling on Dasher's leg. 

Did I mention they like to dig holes? Exhibit A.

Here are a few other random pictures...

Matching up flash cards for their Greek vocabulary.   

Went to a baby shower for Magally on Saturday night.  She's having boy # 3 in April. 

The kids built a big fort.  

One little conversation before I close...

Brady and Colby were horsing around and apparently something happened and Colby comes over to me crying.
Me: "Colby, what happened?"
Colby: "Brady hit me." Sniffles, sniffles.."But I still love him."

Have a good week!