Big Bald Bird Banding

Grady's 4th grade class went to Big Bald Mountain to the bird banding research station.  My nature loving kid was in his element.  It was great for the kids to see some hands on science and get to help out.  

Opening circle

Grady answering some questions...of course

Meeting with Mark, the head researcher

When we got there, they had 24 birds in the mist nets

Most of them were Tennessee Warblers

The bird banding station

Collecting some data

The kids couldn't get enough

Checking to see how much fat each bird had

Releasing the birds

Every student was able to release a bird

Measuring the wing

The Pumpkin Train

It was that time of year again.  Time for the Pumpkin Train!  We made the journey to Bryson City to ride the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad.  Emma didn't remember going last year so it was brand new to her.  The kids had a blast as usual.  This go round I realized that the  boys were some of the older kids riding the train.  Most were about Emma's age.  Crazy how time flies.  The first time we road the train Myles was 18 months old and had a pacifier and blanket in hand.  I wonder how many more years they will want to ride the train?  

Emma waiting to get on the train

She was thrilled 

We pulled up and she saw Snoopy and Charlie Brown

She made friends with a scarecrow

Myles was sad because Emma wouldn't jump in the picture with him

She wanted her own photo of her eating a gourd

My big boys

My first attempt to get a photo of all three

My second and last attempt

We had a minor meltdown at the game station.

It resulted in Emma acting like a dog and eating the ball

Kissing the pumpkin

My Myles

She found the perfect one.  Just a tad too heavy for her to carry.

Playing games

Trick or treating

Emma loved the characters

The boys took some time to play checkers

Roasting marshmallows

The crew

Saying bye