Greathouse Butterfly Farm

On Thursday we took a field trip to the Greathouse Butterfly Farm, in Melrose, FL. This is a small butterfly farm and all organic. They have grown immensely over the years. They did a nice little presentation and we learned a lot of stuff we didn't already know. Like, did you know that butterflies actually lick the nectar with their tongue like feature, by pulling the nectar towards their mouth. They then took us on a tour. The kids got to feed the butterflies, something we were not allowed to do at the other butterfly facility we visited. They had tons of host plants, and yes of course I bought one. I bought a Cassia tree, and I will post more about that later. Another thing I didn't know, is that the Luna Moth only lives three days and that when butterflies lay their eggs, they don't necessarily lay them on the host plant, but rather somewhere near the host plant. This is to confuse predators that will eat the eggs right off the plant, before they are able to hatch. Each child got to plant a Milkweed plant, a host plant for Monarch Butterflies, and bring it home with them. We will be planting all our new plants tomorrow. We got pictures of lots of chrysalis' and we even got to see several butterflies hatching from their chrysalis. An experience that is always fun to see. DJ took a lot of pictures of the beautiful flowers, while I took tons of the butterflies and other interesting things. The other images are stored on the other computer, so they are on my FB page. You can order dormant butterflies, that when defrosted you can release into the wild. I think this is so beautiful for a wedding or graduation, or just as a learning experience for kids. If you would like to visit the Greathouse Butterfly Farm, just click the link to visit their website. They do not yet have an online store, but you can call and order from them, and what awesome wedding pictures could you get there!

As DJ gets older, and school gets harder, field trips can no longer be squeezed into a school day.  That is why I am so glad I started the Earth Kids Group, we can do fun stuff outside of school hours with a group of friends.  

This Could Be A Cool Fieldtrip

I wish they would give more notice for these events, so I could plan appropriately. My son would absolutely love to go to this Video Game Tournament Otronicon @ Orlando Science Center He loves his video games, and they actually can be useful in learning, if you apply them correctly.



The Otronicon Video Game Tournament, is being held in Orlando, FL from January 16-20, 2009. It is open for school trips, and group trips on the 21st-23rd. Pricing is reasonable at 17 dollars, for adults, and 12 dollars for children under the age of 12. If you happen to be an OSC member, you will get in for free. This tournament will be held, at the Orlando Science Center.

Some of the activities that will be taking place, include: video game tournaments with Rock Band, Wii Fitness, Guitar Hero just to name a few. There will also be a wedding performed. That is right, a Halo Wedding will be performed of two people who met through gaming. Pretty neat, huh? For full details on all the events you can go to http://www.otronicon.org/

If you are a Playstation, Wii, or other video game player, this would be a cool Tournament to attend. Be sure to save the date, and make plans now to attend. If you do get to go, please come back, and share your experience with all of us.

Contest Updates, Dudley Farms Where History Is Aliv

Here are the contest updates. You still have until the 29th to get your entries in. It is easy, and the rules are at the top of this blog. You can win 10 dollars, and a 90 day advertising text link. Here are the entries as they stand, right now:

betchai: 9 entries
Kim: 1 entry
kiki: 2 entries
House home garden: 1 entry
the fitness diva: 2 entries
CY: 2 entries
kgraham: 1 entry

There is no school tomorrow, so I have no lesson plans to post. I would like to share a great field trip idea, with everyone. http://www.friendsofdudleyfarm.org/ Dudley Farms, is a real, working historical farm. Step back in time, and history, and learn how people lived, and survived in the older days. The Fall, and Winter, are especially fun, because they have all kinds of special things going on for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. It is affordable to get in, and for Homeschoolers, or any child, it is a wonderful learning experience. They are located just outside of Gainesville, in Newburry, Florida.

I love arts and crafts, and this time of year, there are tons to choose from. If you like to do arts, and crafts, check out this website http://www.kidsturncentral.com/holidays/crafts/hcrafta.htm and learn to make Paper Mache Pumpkins. This week in arts, and crafts, we will be drawing a Haunted House, and making Pumpkins to hang on the tree outside. I picked up simple Pumpkin Bags for 88 cents at Walmart, we are going to fill them with leaves, and hang them from the trees. It doesn't get any more affordable, or easy than that.

Have a great Sunday, everyone.