Field Trips

Thursday found Miss Molly and I headed out on a rite of passage that most 5th graders in Alma will complete -- the annual overnight field trip to Science City!  We leave early, early and head to Kansas City for a really good time.  I went on this same trip with PJB three years ago and can I just say that it would be nice if:  1. Science City would change things up a bit or 2. We might decide to visit somewhere different altogether.  It really is a nice little trip, but by the time Lilah reaches 5th grade I feel like I'm going to be good with having seen it twice.

Science City is located inside Union Station.  Union Station is amazing.  The architecture is fabulous and I can't help but wonder what this place must have been like in the heyday of train travel back in the early part of the 20th century. 

This is a view of Union Station from The Link -- an enclosed walkway that connects it to The Westin and Crown Plaza.  This is one of the reasons our trips to Science City always go smoothly -- no one has to cross streets or even be outside.  The kids are fully contained!



Molly wasn't entirely sure she was enjoying herself until we were actually in the car on the way home.  I had driven up with my friend and colleague, Eileen, (trust me, avoid the bus at all costs), so we were able to bring the girls home ourselves. 


Fuzzy phone picture, forgive me?  Again?

One of the most wonderful things about this trip was that a traveling exhibit of Princess Diana's wedding gown, clothing, and other mementos was on display.  It is fully funded by the Spencer family and it is a real treat.  The two tiaras on display were breathtaking!  I never knew that the tiara she wore on her wedding day was actually her family's...  I just assumed she'd worn one of the Queen's.  Maybe it's silly (because I'm certainly not royal-obsessed!), but I just had chills as I traveled through the rooms containing pieces of her life.  These photos are borrowed from Union Station's Facebook page as we weren't allowed to take any pictures inside.  I had to share this with you, though.


This photo does not even begin to to this tiara justice.  The colors that reflected from those diamonds were amazing.  The crown was as pretty from the back as it was from the front.  Gorgeous!


And this...  Oh. My. Goodness.  I remember watching this wedding all day long one July day when I was seven years old.  My mom managed to find me some paper dolls several months later that featured the wedding gown and famous outfits from the engagement and her early days as princess.  I so wish I still had those.  They were super-nice -- not your average WalMart paper dolls.

So, we had a good time and it was nice to get away for a couple of days.  I think a trip to KC is on the Battles' agenda as soon as we can do it.  I've never gotten to explore the plaza and the fountains. 

Fish

In honor of Anna's and Parker's birthdays, Gram treated the family to lunch at Alma's famous Catfish Hole on Saturday.  I have one word for you --  hushpuppies.  Hushpuppies, hushpuppies, hushpuppies.  Heavenly, heavenly hushpuppies.  I get to eat these fabulous treats about twice a year.  Yep, I overdid it bigtime. 


The birthday girls!  My friend, Amy, made the cake.  Remember her from PJB's job shadowing day?  Her cakes are so delicious and yummy.  We had to celebrate a few days early because everyone's schedule is so busy these days. 

Finally in the Homestretch

We may just make it to the end of the school year after all.  June 8th is still ridiculously far away, though.  Yes, I did love the snow days when we had them.  I'm trying to remember that those cozy, playful, cinnamon roll-eating days were wonderful!  I feel like The Little Engine That Could as I chant (inside my head, of course), "I think I can.  I think I can."  My mother finishes up her school year this week.  I just don't think that's fair!  Anyway, I'll wake up tomorrow and continue my chanting and be one day closer to summer break!