Finally, a field trip

We have a limited budget for field trips in our school district, as I am sure most schools do, so we wait until the spring with our plant unit to go to the botanical gardens.  Thankfully, the weather cooperated and we finally had some sunshine.  It might have been in the high 40's but the sun was shining.  There were a lot of plants already flowering and some with full buds popping open.  The kids really got to spend some time talking about observing the tops and bottoms of plants.

Here we were talking about the parts of bamboo we can use in our homes.  We found out the garden gives the bamboo they cut down to the zoo for the pandas.  The kids were very excited to here that news.  Nothing like animals to get them excited.  

The warmest place in the gardens is the Climatron.  It is an indoor rainforest that has the most beautiful plants that are always in bloom.  The kids got to thaw out their hands and see gorgeous flowers and giant leaved plants.  It was a great place to get pictures.

I love a beautiful orchid. They are always asking to have their picture taken.

When we finished with our tour the students went to play in the children's garden.  I had never been to this part of the gardens and the kids LOVED it.  They played forever climbing, sliding, chasing, steering boats and more.  It was great fun for the adults too since there was only one way in and out.  I love a fenced in area!  When we returned to our school we scooped up the lunches and walked across the street to the park to have our lunch and of course play more outside.  

Tonight I am in recovery mode.  Relaxing and playing with the dog.