Each year we attempt to take two vacations. One that is a family field trip and one that is all about FUN!
This trip was our family field trip and it took us all the way to South Dakota. I never knew just how much South Dakota had to offer until I looked up Mt. Rushmore and saw that you could easily spend a week going to National and State Parks.
On the drive up we stopped first at Scotts Bluff in Nebraska to teach the kids about the Oregon Trail. I love taking my kids on the adventure of walking in the same places and seeing the actual spots that we talk about in school. The opportunity to show them the hardships and the obstacles first hand is priceless. Not to mention how much Dylan and I learn as well. We were pressed for time, trying to get as far as we could that first day so we didn't do the Jr. Ranger program here. There was the most amazing drive up into the rock formations that you could take. There were tunnels and when the fog lifted you could see forever. It was incredible.
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Our first official day in South Dakota we had to go straight to Mt. Rushmore. I had it so built up in my mind. I could not wait to see it for myself. I got a little emotionally staring at it. It was incredible. Smaller than I envisioned but incredible. I loved getting to focus on 4 presidents and teaching and learning all about them.
It had snowed a couple days before and of course the kids had to play in the small mounds that were left over in the shade.
We started our official school here with the Jr. Ranger program. I love how the kids work so hard on them.
Clay normally still falls in the smaller age bracket so doesn't have to do but a few pages of the book but he still does them all. We always have to wait for him to finish because he is such a perfectionist.
Even Jojo gets in on the fun. Normally his involves a bunch of squiggly lines on the page but...... its something.
The whole trip was amazing but this was the highlight for me. Learning about Mt. Rushmore with the 4 faces behind us.... priceless.
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