We built a bird feeder

Thanks to the nifty kits and directions from Elpis Enterprises, we built bird feeders ourselves!

I was so impressed by how they made it easy for the kids.

Elpis Enterprises offers experiential workshops to over 1,200 youth a year. Education is best achieved through concrete experiences that are reflected upon and applied toward real situations in their lives with the goal of the continuation of the learning exploration. Elpis offers many youth their first opportunity to build something with their hands and see their creation come to life on shirts worn by their peers as part of their own youth program.

Elpis wood products are made from recycled cedar fencing.  They work directly with fence contractors to recycle cut-offs and old fences through the Elpis program. Adult staff, volunteers and interns process the wood and turn it into kits for Elpis programs and products.

Elpis Enterprises (Elpis is Greek for Hope) is a Saint Paul-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides job training, work experience and job placement for homeless or precariously-housed young people ages 16-23. Through several social enterprises, youth build skills, build experience and build relationships in the community. Young people develop as individuals and potential employees by working in real enterprises gaining the skills, knowledge, and confidence necessary to overcome homelessness and become contributing members of our community.

Field trip: Fresh spring day at Como

Kiddos and animals go together like, well, kiddos and animals!

To celebrate being able to get out of the house after a looooOOOOOooong winter, we went to Como Zoo in early April.

The kiddos loved checking out the animals, including all the new babies that have been born in the last year. There's the baby gorilla, baby zebras and baby giraffe! It's baby fever over there! (Check out this article I wrote about Como Zoo & Conservatory's Matt Reinartz who has baby fever!) The kiddos had a fun checklist to look out for that our group leader made.

From The Girl's camera

From The Girl's camera

From The Girl's camera

Then it was time for lunch and a climb on the playground just south of Como Town. Wow! It was a busy day, at the end of Minneapolis' spring break.

What would a trip to Como be without a peak into the conservatory? Oh, it smelled like spring. So lovely! I was worried The Boy was going to fall into the pond... Looks like it was about to end in a splash, doesn't it?!

 

FIELD TRIP: Get up close to butterflies at the Science Museum

Get up close, oh so very close, to butterflies at the Science Museum's latest exhibit. Painted ladies, monarchs and more. It's really amazing to observe so many in such a small area. I would plan to be in the exhibit room about 15 minutes - any more and it can be quite overwhelming, especially if there are many others in the room with you.

In addition to passing out q-tips sweetened with nectar, staff in the exhibit help folks understand the life cycle of butterflies.

We checked out the exhibit first, and then headed in to see the Imax show. I wasn't sure how the 2-year-old boy would do during the movie, but he loved it! He talked throughout the entire show in his baby language, amazed and exhilarated. It was simply adorable to observe!

We learned so very much about monarchs and their migration pattern in this film. I think it's a Must See for any Minnesotan as our state plays such an important role for these fragile creatures. Plus, we've all heard about monarchs since we were children, but who has seen the amazing place where these butterflies overwinter? The images are magnificent... Simply remarkable.

Take home a free package of flower seeds to provide more habitat for monarchs and butterflies!

Kids inspired by kid actors

There's something special about a kid watching other kids do things often reserved just for grown-ups. And that's why I love attending theatrical productions at The Neighborhood House in St. Paul where all of the actors are kids.

Getting out the wiggles before the show

In November, we caught one of the last shows of "The Miracle Worker." We had been studying Helen Keller (part of our FIAR rowing through "Lentil" by Robert McCloskey), so I jumped at the chance to get student-priced tickets for "The Miracle Worker." We had run several books about Helen Keller and watched "The Miracle Worker" on Netflix, so we were familiar with the story before we went. But we still learned new stuff! (I was especially interested to learn that in addition to running a farm, Helen's father published a newspaper!)

"The Miracle Worker" was presented by CB Productions at the Neighborhood House Oct. 31 to Nov. 9, 2014. CB Productions is a literature-based theater company that has been producing fully staged shows since 2003, each show selling to nearly sold-out audiences. All of the student actors participate in a rigorous and progressive actors training program taught by CB Production's artistic director Carla Barwineck and theater professional Joy Carlson. The students performing ranged in age from 10 to 18. PLUS students provide the technical assistance and lighting!

According to the program, the actors were asked to focus on several issues at one time: "What does my character want and how does he go about getting it? What obstacles are in his way and what tactics does he use to reach his objective? In order to accomplish this, the performers also need to decipher and understand the struggles of the other characters, as well. This process leads to many hours of discussion of how we, as humans, operate. We find that words and actions can be used to tell the truth or to hide it. A well-scripted play acts as mirror to reality. It allows us to get into the complicated minds of human beings and gives us a better understanding of how others thing... Ah, there's the true miracle!"

The actors lined up on stage to answer questions after the show and talked about how each prepared for his/her role. They mentioned just how tough the food scenes were to get just right!

WHAT'S NEXT AT CB PRODUCTIONS?
- An 8-week Tuesday Night "Enlighten the Artist" scene study for ages 13-18 begins Feb. 3.
- The next play is "A Legend of Young King Arthur" April 10-19.

MORE @
http://cbproductions.org/

FIELD TRIP: Touring a professional kitchen

We headed over to the Minnesota Foodcrafters kitchen off Butler Pierce Road in St. Paul earlier this week. I was writing a news article about the kitchen and its artisan chefs, and needed to snap some photos to accompany the article. I've been thinking about everyday places that are important that we can tour, places that might inspire the kids to future careers, places that help them understand better how their world works. The Foodcrafters kitchen perfectly fit the bill. So, I brought the kids along.

Martha Glass of Bistro Meringues led us on a tour of the Minnesota Foodcrafters space. Once part of a larger company, it's been divided into space for a produce company, Sunrise Market and the Foodcrafters kitchen. There is office space available to rent, a few common areas to work and/or eat lunch, and a fantastic demonstration kitchen. Plus the kiddos walked inside two huge refrigerators and a freezer. We saw the individual cages where each of the 12 companies working out of the kitchen store their equipment and supplies. We saw the loading dock.

Then we walked through the large kitchen area that's actually 3 rooms. One for Gluten-free, one for regular food production and one that's kept dry for the meringue production.

I loved showing the kiddos how small business owners make specialized products, items that are gluten-free, foods and drinks that aren't packed with preservatives, and items that are more natural. It fits with our lifestyle and what I think is important. And they were fascinated to check things out.

Martha and her crew took items out of the oven. Pointed out the humongous mixing bowl they crack hundreds and hundreds of eggs into each time they bake. They let the kiddos taste test the mint and cherry cookies that weren't nice enough to sell. They showed them how they fill, then bag and add a twist-tie to each bag. We didn't see the cookies being made, but then we got to see the rest of the process.

It was wonderful!

Highland Aquatic Center: Great pool and splash pad

Looking for something that a 2-year-old and 5-year-old will both love? Take them to the Highland Park Aquatic Center in St. Paul. They'll both have a blast!

There were 2 water slides in the little kiddo area, and both my kids loved them. Plus there was a fish with fountains sprouting out around it, and other fountains on either side. The pool bottom sloped in this area and got to about 2 feet in the deepest part. On the other end was a deeper pool area with basketball hoops where some older kiddos were hanging out. Those that wanted the full pool experience had the pick of two other pools: a 50-meter, 8-lane lap pool with a 2-story water slide and another with water slides, climbing wall and diving boards. PLUS there was a splash pad in the middle of it all.

Highland Park Aquatic Center really seems to have a little bit of everything! All they're missing that other water parks have is a lazy river. At the age my kiddos are, this place suits us much better than either Cascade Bay in Eagen or Bunker Hills in Blaine (neither of which have much for the smaller kids). I also heard that it's more fun than the Richfield Aquatic Center, but we haven't been there yet.

They also have a row of cabanas and plenty of shaded areas so you don't have to worry about sunburn. And one Friday a month, admission is just $2.

There are 2 waterslide options for the little kiddos.

The splashpad stayed open during the 20-minute break that started at 2:25, giving the kiddos something to do.

Raptor Center good for short visit

There are some amazing birds at the Gabbort Raptor Center in St. Paul. But your visit will only take about a half hour, unless you plan it for a day when they're holding a special event.

We brought the preschoolers there on a spring day in April 2014. They hold tours every half hour, and each lasts no more than a half hour. As we waited for our tour, we checked out the few displays in the lobby and the gift shop, and looked over some books in one corner.

The majority of the tour takes place right here in this short hallway, which offers a close view of 4 birds of prey that have been rescued and rehabilitated.

The tour introduces you to four birds of prey that have been rescued and now live in a permanent displays on the main level. Then they brought us through the cages in the back, but there weren't many birds there. The Raptor Center will have that part of their building closed later this year for remodeling.

Despite the short tour, the place was fascinating to see.

This is the second section of the tour, the part that brings you through the cages where more animals live in the fresh air. This part is schedule to be remodeled this year.

http://www.raptor.cvm.umn.edu/
(612) 624-4745
1920 Fitch Ave, St Paul, MN 55108