Pumpkins, Costumes, and Klimt

Yesterday morning I took the kids to the Children's Museum for a program about Gustav Klimt. The presenter showed the children several different examples of his artwork, and then she focused on his painting entitled "The Tree of Life." Then she gave each of the kids a canvas and guided them through making their own version of the Tree of Life. The canvases were still wet when it was time to leave, so we left them there and will pick them up the next time we're at the museum (most likely on Wednesday). I love that programs like this are free for members. We definitely get our money's worth out of our membership at the Children's Museum in Bloomsburg. I was a little nervous that I was going to end up with paint on myself. Normally I wouldn't care since the paint was washable, but my next stop was the University for an Open House event. Thankfully my outfit stayed clean, and I was able to wash the paint off my hands.

Ian selected his Bounty Hunter costume (from Star Wars) for each of the trunk or treat events. Today is day four out of our six days of Halloween. It's not my favorite costume, so I talked him out of that one for Friday night as I stopped at the park on the way to church to take their annual photos, and I didn't want him wearing one with a mask. If I had been thinking, I would have picked a costume with a mask for Oliver since he's the hardest one to get to cooperate for a photo, ha ha! Because Ian switched to Luigi, I had Oliver switch to Mario just for the photos, but actually he wore Mr. Incredible for the trunk or treat on Thursday and Ironman for the ones on Friday, Saturday, and today. Nadia has been an Egyptian princess at all of the events this year. They were doing face painting at the one Paul took them to yesterday afternoon, and they painted her face in a way that matched her costume. This afternoon they had their fourth (and final) trunk or treat. I enjoyed this one because it included yummy foods like ham and bean soup, strawberry shortcake, etc. Tomorrow they have a Halloween party at the library that they'll attend before gymnastics (Nadia) or after gymnastics (boys).

We'll be making a trip to the dentist in Watsontown who gives kids $1 per pound of candy as we have way too much candy in our house right now, and they'll still be collecting more on Tuesday night. They go through their bags and pick out what they want to keep and what they want to donate. Last year they donated six pounds so they each received two $1 coins. It was a rainy day today, but it was nice out the last three days. Thankfully the church that hosted the event today had a Hall of Treats inside the church building. After church today Paul took the kids to Bloom Bounce as it was free for WVIA members today. It worked out well for them that the Giants have a bye week and the Steelers are playing at 8:30pm, as it meant we were free to take them to Bloom Bounce and the Hall of Treats this afternoon. Usually we're watching one or two football games on Sunday afternoon. We had planned to attend a field trip at a state park tomorrow, but that has been cancelled as it's still supposed to be raining tomorrow morning. I'm happy to stay home until 5:10pm tomorrow when we leave for gymnastics.

We have another field trip planned for Wednesday, which is another reason I don't mind that tomorrow's has been cancelled. The last few days I have been putting many hours into planning field trips and vacations for the coming months. I realize some things might get rescheduled or cancelled and other new things will be added, but it still helps to do some research and have tentative plans. Here are a few highlights of the trips that are more than three hours from our home:

1. A couple of days in DC/Baltimore (Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Museum of the Bible, Museum of Industry, Museum of the American Indian) in January 2018 when Paul has a business trip to Baltimore

2. A couple of days in Philadelphia in March (my spring break) to visit the Adventure Aquarium, US Mint, Franklin Institute, Franklin Court Museum, and Garden State Discovery Center

3. Four day trip to Buffalo Museum of Science, Old Fort Erie, Niagara Falls, Fort George, Rochester Museum and Science

Center, Strong Museum, and Genesee Village in May 2018

4. Chesapeake Children's Museum and Blue Angels air show in Annapolis on May 24, 2018

5. Fort McHenry and Port Discovery in Baltimore on August 17, 2018

6. Trip to Pittsburgh to visit Fort Ligonier, Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh Children's Museum, Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, Fort Pitt Museum  - August 31 - September 2, 2018

7. Jamestown, Yorktown, and Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia September 14-17, 2018

8. Vacation in San Diego area October 10-15 to visit San Diego Zoo, San Diego Safari Park, Sea World, LEGOLAND, Disneyland, Maritime Museum, USS Midway Museum

9. National Archives and National Zoo in DC in November 2018

10. Luray Caverns, Montpelier, Monticello, and Virginia Discovery Museum November 17-20, 2018

11. Vacation in Michigan in May 2019 to visit Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, Fort Mackinac, Colonial Michilimackinac, Soo Locks, National Museum of the US Air Force (OH), Flint Children's Museum, Michigan Science Center, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Sloan Longway, and Imagination Station (OH)

Well I'd better stop planning trips and get back to writing lesson plans and making PowerPoints. I am caught up on grading at the moment, which is always a nice feeling.