Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Visiting Halvorson Ranch

It was an absolutely perfect spring day for touring a ranch. Rebecca and Wayne Halvorson along with two of three children, Lauren and Calyn, gave us city folks a real education about raising championship horses.

Calyn's horse is cared for and groomed daily.




Rebecca told us many details regarding the anatomy of the horse, and especially regarding the bones and muscles.
We are trying to find a horse's knee!


A tour of the 300 acre ranch---just beautiful.... and to think, it just a few minutes up the road from our school. We appreciate your time with us, Halvorsons.



Our Capitol Building

Taking a morning to tour our Oklahoma Captiol is always a treat. It is truly a beautiful tribute to our state. We had studied the three branches of government so this field trip gave opportunity to see how that works on a state level.

Here we are in the House seeing the room where our 101 representatives discuss and debate items important to our state.
Our dome is spectacular and includes the colors of our state wild flower, the Indian Blanket.
This is my favorite piece of art in the Capitol. It is called "Flight of Spirit" by Mike Larsen and depicts five world-renowned Native American ballet dancers from our state.
The Hall of Governors includes a bust of every governor that has served in our state.
The Supreme Court
We were honored to have our photograph with Representative Marian Cooksey on the Grand Staircase. Later on, Representative Lewis Moore and our Lt. Governor, Todd Lamb, stopped by for a few minutes to visit with us. Todd Lamb challenged us to be strong in our faith and to think about making a difference as tomorrow's leaders. We look forward to our signed copies of photographs with these state leaders.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Pleasant Valley One Room School

What a day! Our class headed up to Stillwater, Oklahoma to experience school as it was back in the late 1800's. Slate boards, outhouses, coal stoves, dunce caps, and ink wells were just a few of the numerous differences observed. We decided that it would take some time getting use to all the rules such as standing before asking or answering a question and drinking from a common ladle in the water bucket. Studying in the same classroom with students from kindergarten through high school would also be an adjustment. We decided it would be important for the older to assist the younger in completing their lessons.

Don't they look GREAT!!!!
Ready to start the day.
Reading, writing and arithmetic!
Games and authentic lunches, including beef jerky, fruit, biscuits, honey, and other yummy treats.



The ringing of the school bell was a normal activity.
A friendly spelling bee competition completed this memorable day. What fun we anticipated as we considered the fun stories we would share with our families when we returned to Edmond!