Happy Birthday Kansas!

  Today we went to the Kansas Day celebrations at the Kansas State Historical Society.  The Society holds special meaning to our family.  The current building is just down the hill from where my Grandparents Murray used to live.  Hubby & I worked there for years in the archaeology department & library/archives.  Plus, it is one of the kids' all time favorite places to be with the exhibits, the trails and even the library.  We hadn't attended the Kansas Day festivities there for a few years, so we were really excited to go!
  We always try to go around lunch time so we can beat the large school crowds.  Its still really busy, but a little less so.  When you get there they have you sign in and give you a handout on where the activities are within the building.  The set up is really wonderful - you don't need to advance register and homeschool teachers are treated just like regular teachers:)  The activities range from crafts and live performances, to individuals demonstrating different crafts.

Shorty & his railroad hat

  The absolute best demonstrator is the rope making.  There's always a huge line.  I'll let you in on a little secret, homeschoolers have a HUGE advantage at this one.  They allow each class to make a rope and one lucky kid gets to actually take the rope home.  Mookie was dying to get a rope this year.  Fortunately for us even though she got the rope, our "class" gets to take home the rope and share it amongst themselves:)  Bubby's rope from the last time we went is an improvised rope swing in one of our trees.  It is quite a treasure for the kids to take away from this day. 

Bubby helping Mookie make her rope

  In true Bubby form, he had to go to each activity/demonstration on the map.  That made for a real challenge with a toddler who refused a nap before we left, but we almost made it.  I think we missed 2 :)  We even completed the gallery scavenger hunt which the kids loved!

Mookie trying her hand at basket weaving

  One of the really cool things about the day for the teachers is they send you home with a packet of great Kansas teaching helps.  There are some other wonderful Kansas Day activities in our area, we hope to try them out in the years to come too:)