field trip to nankin mills

because the last week of school isn't busy enough, hayden's class decided to take it's first and only field trip of the year. we headed to nankin mills in westland which apparently is some kind of a nature center.
because they are only in school from 9-12 it doesn't give a very big window of time to do much on a field trip. so i'm sure there is a lot more of nankin mills that we didn't see.
hayden's group went in to a room first and they were taught about reptiles and amphibians. they were able to see several different turtles and frogs and they all sat pretty quietly through the whole thing.
after that, they headed outside to the little pond and were able to fish out stuff and look for little bugs and frogs and such. hayden almost slipped in the mud and landed right in the pond...it was way too close, but i caught him just in time.
let me just say that i will NEVER get true nature people. they are some of the happiest people on earth. and if they hear a bird? even happier. they think that all living things are them most magnificent things ever. while we were outside, our guide walked around way too enthusiastically showing everyone a mosquito that was not quite a mosquito yet. after a bit he started telling us..."ok, i have to get this back into the pond now to keep it safe!" me? i would have hunted and killed them all.
they kids found all kinds of pond life and the guide was happy to tell them what it was and a story behind in. the kids weren't really listening, they just wanted to get back to finding baby frogs and scooping up pond water. but the guide had fun.
i think hayden was the only one that found a tadpole. most of the other ones were just about frogs. and hayden was SO excited that he found it.
we eventually took a little hike through the woods and learned about different trees and other wonders of nature like the rouge river. i think i learned a couple of things, but i have already forgotten them. all but one. i learned that if you come in contact with poison ivy, you have 10 minutes to clean it off with warm water and soap.
once we got to the bridge over the rouge we had to be quiet for 20 seconds and listen to the birds. then we headed back to the bus as it was already time to go.
hayden seemed to have a great time and was quietly and intently listening through the whole presentation at the beginning. he sure does love to learn. usually.

sue the snapping turtle that has never snapped:
turtle race. it was a tie.:
a tortoise eating a worm. the kids loved it.:
pond time:



he seems to care as much about the water bugs as i do:
yes! frogs again!:


hayden's tadpole:
eric and hayden:

the beautiful rouge river:
some chick hangin' out at the rouge: