What an amazing day we had.
One of my homeschool groups had arranged for us to take the train and tour the mission down in San Juan Capistrano the other day. Such a lovely place to visit anytime but with a chance to make it a learning experience with others was nice. I admit I have never been on a train other than the Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm trains, so I was nervous. Then we got such a beautiful sign from God that this would be a good trip. This picture does not due justice to what we saw. In all my years I have never seen a rainbow with no rain. The whole group was amazed. We all took pictures and I am sure went home to look up how that was even possible (its a homeschool thing). Aimee found out about it on Goggle. It is called a halo. She found out that people all over the Inland Empire saw it also. It is from ice sickles up in the sky. It is cold up there and warm down here. As the heat rises a halo is formed.
Neat huh?
Back to our trip.
Michael Jr had been on the MetroLink before but never the Amtrack train. The girls and I had never been on a train period. He says Amtrack is much nicer. It should be for the price! It was actually rather comfortable.
Here is Belle admiring the speedy view.
I missed the shot in front of the train but this one is just as cute in front of the train station.
Then we all walked up and around the corner to the mission.
Never knew there were so many homeschoolers huh?
Yes, and this is the small group that we are with.
There were 93 of us on this adventure.
Not even all of the families came with us either.
:)
The mission gave all the kids a little book on a lanyard with a matching pencil to walk around the mission with. It was filled with information about the mission, little quizzes, things to notice, puzzles and a map. It was pretty nice actually.
Here is Becca with some of her friends.
Isn't this mission beautiful?
Love my munchkins!
After we explored the mission we were so hot and getting a bit tuckered. So we went off to find some sweet and chilly ice cream. On the other side of the train station, after my camera died, we found a cute little restaurant that looked like it was from the 1800's. It had a little weathered wooden porch with a few benches out front. In the back there was a little court yard with a small fountain and little plants growing all around. There was a big shady tree that covered a good portion of the back and the front of the little restaurant. It was so Laura Ingalls, I loved it! I am going to have to go back just for a picture!
The train ride back was so nice. I was reflecting on the children in this group. It is such a difference to go on a field trip with them then it is with a public school. First of all, it is so much quieter. Really, amazingly the children are much more controlled. You could actually talk at a normal pitch and be heard by others. Second, the kids are paying attention to the information being given on the field trip and are giving good input on things that pertain to what you are looking at. They even remember things from previous trips or lessons that are now here to be seen. Never had that on a public school trip. Third, I saw manners. Manners being used on top of it. Polite children, two train cars filled with kiddos who say please, excuse me and thank you with little or no prompting. That is one thing that I truly admire. I love polite children. This just pulled together for me more reasons why I really enjoy homeschooling and the families I have met on my homeschooling journey so far.
I am so glad we went .
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