4 Generations of Christensen males
1 day ago
23 July 2015
Frogs and toads at Fort Snelling State Park
Did you know that toads are a type of frog? We learned all that and more during a class on frogs and toads at Fort Snelling State Park in Minneapolis.
The funnest part was using a variety of items to replicate noises that frogs and toads make. Did you know there's a frog that quacks? One that makes a sound like when you run your finger down a comb?
We played a game in the rain using hula hoops. Some were eggs, other tadpoles and other frogs. And then there were the predators, the fish and birds. We learned first hand how tough it is for a frog to survive!
Fort Snelling State Park is not the same place as the historic Fort Snelling site. It's on the slice of land under the Mendota Bridge and marks the place where the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers meet. If you're coming from Minneapolis, you'll go south past the airport and get off at the Post Road exit. But rather than head west to the Humphrey Terminal, you'll go east and drive right into the state park. The next thing I was confused about was that there's just a small building at the entrance to purchase permits, and the interpretive center is located deep within the park, almost right under the Mendota Bridge.
This is one of the picnic shelters with a fireplace on Picnic Island. There's also a small playground there. Because it was raining, we didn't check out the main beach area or do any hiking. I'd like to go back to view where the two rivers converge. It's considered a sacred spot by the Native Americans.
This is the interpretive center. The parking lot is almost right below the Mendota Bridge. Once we were inside, I realized that this was the spot where the Dakota were interned following that conflict in Minnesota. There's a memorial to those who were kept there and hanged inside, as well as one outside.
While the interpretive center isn't super large, it has some fun things inside. There's touch and guess boxes. A large map of the area showing the watershed and how water drains. A wall exhibit showing how St. Anthony falls has moved over the centuries. And rocks to touch. Plus, there's a movie about the area to view.
It was fun to find a state park so very close to home. I'm always glad to get more use out of our state park sticker!
22 July 2015
THEATER: Peter Pan x2
What's better than seeing Peter Pan? Seeing Peter Pan twice in a month!
In May 2015, we saw Peter Pan at the Minneapolis Children's Theater. It was an over-the-top performance. I was amazed that my 3-year-old was on the edge of his seat!
Then a few weeks later in June, we went to the community theater production of Peter Pan in St. Francis, Minn. We knew two of the actors and that made it so very exciting!
In May 2015, we saw Peter Pan at the Minneapolis Children's Theater. It was an over-the-top performance. I was amazed that my 3-year-old was on the edge of his seat!
Then a few weeks later in June, we went to the community theater production of Peter Pan in St. Francis, Minn. We knew two of the actors and that made it so very exciting!
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| Lucasz as a priate |
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| Ruby as Peter Pan |
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| And we got their autographs! |
20 July 2015
FIELD TRIP: Back in time at Kelley Farm
We took a trip back about 150 years when we visited the Kelley Farm in Elk River in June.
The Oliver H. Kelley Farm is a working 1860s farm. Visitors can meet the animals in the barn, help work in the fields and gardens, and see what’s cooking in the farmhouse. Highlights for us including stepping inside the pig sty, and running the old pump. Such fun!
The Minnesota Historical Society site is currently under construction, but they're still open. They've torn down the main interpretive center. Until the new one is opened at the end of Summer 2016, they're operating out of a temporary structure and have outhouses for the public.
Ever wonder where the rhyme "sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite" came from? Sleep tight -- don't let the ropes under your straw mattress get loose... Don't let the bed bugs bite -- hope there aren't any bed bugs in your straw mattress!
ABOUT OLIVER H. KELLEY
Oliver Hudson Kelley was from Boston, and like many Yankees, had migrated west as soon as he turned twenty-one. Although he knew little about farming in 1850, Kelley staked a claim at the new town of Itasca on the Mississippi River near present-day Elk River. He became a "book farmer," learning the latest farming techniques from agricultural journals. It was a legacy he would soon share. He campaigned eagerly for more experimentation, advanced methods and exchange of information among farmers, all of which he published.
Even though his farm was a show place of the neighborhood, by the 1860s Kelley became restless. In 1864 he moved to Washington D.C. where he took a job with the commissioner of agriculture and later the post office department. Kelley kept his farm in Minnesota and returned to it on occassion. But for the next few years he focused primarily on his idea of developing a fraternal organization for farm families.
On Dec. 4, 1867, Kelley and six of his friends, mostly other government workers, established the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry, better known as the Grange. Kelley returned to Minnesota early in 1868. Two of his daughters returned to the farm in 1876 and managed it during the summers until 1885. The Kelleys owned the farm until 1901.
IF YOU GO
15788 Kelly Farm Rd NW, Elk River, MN 55330
The Oliver H. Kelley Farm is a working 1860s farm. Visitors can meet the animals in the barn, help work in the fields and gardens, and see what’s cooking in the farmhouse. Highlights for us including stepping inside the pig sty, and running the old pump. Such fun!
The Minnesota Historical Society site is currently under construction, but they're still open. They've torn down the main interpretive center. Until the new one is opened at the end of Summer 2016, they're operating out of a temporary structure and have outhouses for the public.
Ever wonder where the rhyme "sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite" came from? Sleep tight -- don't let the ropes under your straw mattress get loose... Don't let the bed bugs bite -- hope there aren't any bed bugs in your straw mattress!
 |
| See the straw she pulled out of the mattress? |
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| See the ropes the mattress sat on? |
ABOUT OLIVER H. KELLEY
Oliver Hudson Kelley was from Boston, and like many Yankees, had migrated west as soon as he turned twenty-one. Although he knew little about farming in 1850, Kelley staked a claim at the new town of Itasca on the Mississippi River near present-day Elk River. He became a "book farmer," learning the latest farming techniques from agricultural journals. It was a legacy he would soon share. He campaigned eagerly for more experimentation, advanced methods and exchange of information among farmers, all of which he published.
Even though his farm was a show place of the neighborhood, by the 1860s Kelley became restless. In 1864 he moved to Washington D.C. where he took a job with the commissioner of agriculture and later the post office department. Kelley kept his farm in Minnesota and returned to it on occassion. But for the next few years he focused primarily on his idea of developing a fraternal organization for farm families.
On Dec. 4, 1867, Kelley and six of his friends, mostly other government workers, established the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry, better known as the Grange. Kelley returned to Minnesota early in 1868. Two of his daughters returned to the farm in 1876 and managed it during the summers until 1885. The Kelleys owned the farm until 1901.
IF YOU GO
15788 Kelly Farm Rd NW, Elk River, MN 55330
15 July 2015
FIELD TRIP: Fun with sticks at Richardson Nature Center
Richardson Nature Center in Bloomington is one of our favorite local nature centers. Three birds of prey make their home there, and its pretty exciting when they come out with a handler. We also can't get enough of the walls, each one wildly decorated according to a season. I spy a raccoon, what do you spy? There's also a puppet stage and little place to climb in.
Head up the stairs to reach a great viewing area in front of several bird feeders. Enjoy the bird identification books and binoculars while you're up there.
During our last visit, we watched a staff member playing with earthworms, and discovered that earthworms are an invasive species!! Wow! Did you know that?
But the highlight of the park may be the large nature outdoor play area a short walk from the nature center. What kid doesn't love to build with sticks?
GET THERE
8737 E Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, MN 55438
14 July 2015
FIELD TRIP: Hyland
They certainly aren't exaggerating when they say Hyland Play Area is huge. It certainly is!
The structure includes platforms, hexagonal climbers and slides up to 50 feet long.
The play area is located within Hyland's Recreation Park Area, and is part of the Three Rivers Park District. Nearby is a visitor center with limited concessions, restrooms, a fireplace, and cross-country ski rental in winter.
The only downside to the play area is that there is little shade, so it gets very hot. There's just a small amount of shade cast by umbrellas near the little kid area.
Oh, and as a parent, it's super hard to see your kids because of the tunnels and netting. I wouldn't take young kids there because you'll lose them. If I didn't have a 6-year-old who could look after the 3-year-old, we wouldn't have lasted there more than 10 minutes.
IF YOU GO:
Phone: 763.694.7687
Address: 10145 Bush Lake Road
Bloomington, MN 55438
The structure includes platforms, hexagonal climbers and slides up to 50 feet long.
The play area is located within Hyland's Recreation Park Area, and is part of the Three Rivers Park District. Nearby is a visitor center with limited concessions, restrooms, a fireplace, and cross-country ski rental in winter.
The only downside to the play area is that there is little shade, so it gets very hot. There's just a small amount of shade cast by umbrellas near the little kid area.
Oh, and as a parent, it's super hard to see your kids because of the tunnels and netting. I wouldn't take young kids there because you'll lose them. If I didn't have a 6-year-old who could look after the 3-year-old, we wouldn't have lasted there more than 10 minutes.
Hyland Play Area
Hours: 9:00 AM–sunset, April–October*Phone: 763.694.7687
Address: 10145 Bush Lake Road
Bloomington, MN 55438
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