Hopefully this dumb thing works.  I posted a huge long post the other day that totally disappeared. 

I want to get our Friday field trip down for the record as it is one I am particularly proud of.

On Friday, we headed out to the Mpls Institute of Arts.  I enjoyed going there b4 kids and when J was a tiny baby but haven't been much since.  We went specifically to see the Mississippi river exhibit, which I thought the kids did a great job behaving for.  They really enjoyed seeing the paintings and sculptures and especially enjoyed the computer representation of the Mississippi panorama that was painted in the late 1800s.    They also enjoyed the ancient chinese and roman art. 

After the museum we headed down to our family's favorite spot to hang by the river.  It is a sandy beach near the Lake Street bridge.  The kids spotted egrets and Canada geese, saw a large luxury boat and talked to canoers as they went by.  They explored the beach and discovered shells and pretty rocks.  After they explored and we had snack I laid out a 8 foot long piece of poster paper and broke out the paints, brushes and glue.   I explained that they would paint the Mississippi river and they could glue sticks, shells and sand to their picture as well, if they wished.  Well the 5 kids between the ages of 2 and 11 had  a great time and produced some pretty wonderful art.  After Keian had consumed his daily requirement of sand and sticks we headed home for ice cream cones and some playtime in the back yard. 

A very nice day and a fun field trip.  Interesting sidenote:  It was at that beach about a year ago where I was struck with the inspiration for the name of our school.  As you sit down at the beach by the woods and you see the cars zooming over the bridge it really strikes you what a unique blend of nature and urban life we have in Minneapolis.  Thus our school name:  River's Edge Urban Academy.