Therapy, Working, Service Dogs

Today we went to West Regional Library to learn about therapy, working, and service dogs.  Once I told the kids about it they couldn't wait to go to the library.

My superheroes

The kids put on a small skit about Balto the dog hero.  Kanani couldn't stop smiling that she was the doctor and Anthony was the narrator.

Daniel was Balto, a very cute one.

After the kids finished the skit for the two visitors that came they learned all about the hard working dogs.
She (can't remember her name) would show them different pictures showing the three different types of dogs.  They learned about therapy, service, and working dogs.

Here are the dogs that came to visit: a mini Dachshund named Tili (12 years old) and a German Shepherd named Brit (11 years old).

Tili is a therapy dog 

Brit is a retired Army dog, who is a working and therapy dog, a very gentle giant.

Dartanian couldn't get enough of Brit, he loves big dogs.

Anthony really took to Tili.

Some of Brit's beautiful pictures, one of my favorite breeds.

Nature

We went to Lake Rim Park (it was so HOT) after we left the library.  The kids were so excited to go to the park and be able to do a nature walk.  This was definitely not planned, which are the best trips.  

Anthony is always looking out for Dartanian, he is such a great big cousin.  We are going to miss them when they go back home to Arizona.

On our nature walk or should I say run.

On our way back to the car after looking for different objects for our nature section.  They were so tired and hot but in good spirit.

Love these kids

One of our nation section: gum tree seeds, I Spy bottles, sticks and rocks, and different types of pine cones.

Gum Tree Seeds

Sticks, bark and rocks

Different types of pine cones 

I Spy water bottles filled with sand and different objects found around the house.

The kids really enjoy searching for different objects in the bottle.  

We have been enjoying going outdoors this summer and learning and observing different things around us.  It has been a very hot summer, but that doesn't stop the littles from wanting to go outside.  When they go outside they are constantly searching for things to add to our nature center ever since we went to the Science museum in Raleigh.  I'm so glad that they are so excited and have learned so much this summer.  

Dominoes

Kanani hasn't been feeling good so we decided we would take it easy.  Today she wanted to play a game but didn't have a lot of energy.  I remembered that I had purchased a dominoes game that we still haven't had a chance to play with.  Once I brought that out her face lit up with excitement.  

Found this set at one of our local thrift stores, love bargain items.
One side of the card are animals with numbers on it and the other side are dots to help with counting.  We even went over all the different colors of each animal.  

She loved looking at the different animals and matching them with the other cards.

Even little man got into the game.

Here is our completed side of animal and number matching.

She wanted to continue to play with the dominoes but on the dot side.

She did an excellent job and matching the numbers and counting the dots.

Here is our completed dot side.

He tired to be sneaky and keep one of the cards from us, silly little boy.

After we were done with the game we read the book that went perfect with the dominoes game "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you do see?, by Bill Martin Jr/Eric Carle.

Sorting

I set up a little sorting game for Dartanian, while Kanani and me did some reading together.



Ice cube trays with some plastic animals.

First gave him the ice cube tray with the animals. 

After playing with one tray I gave him another one to see what he would do it.

Love how he took it upon himself to take one animal from one tray to the other tray.

He was so excited to do this activity on his own, he's such a smart little boy.  

Love seeing him grow up and learn new things every day.

History Museum

Went to the History museum after going to the Natural Science Museum in Raleigh.

Milking the cow

Counting the eggs

In the canoe

Exploring what are in the drawers

Pretending to be scared in the fireplace 

Natural Science Museum

Went on a field trip with the kids to the Natural Science Museum in Raleigh.

Looking at some of the fish and turtles in the tank.

In the bat cave, there are bats (fake) on the top of the cave.

Exploring insects

Our future veterinarian looking at different animal x-rays.

Looking for the queen bee

Enjoying the dinosaur puzzles

My little Honey Bee

Oh no it's a T-Rex

He was very impressed with how tall the dinosaur was

Watching a video before they are able to go and explore

She was excited to be able to touch and see the different bones of a human 

The skeletal system

She would pick up the bones and match them with the skeleton model

Kanani was really enjoying finding where each bone was located, it was like a puzzle of bones.

Even little man enjoyed observing the bones.

Love how well this would explain each animal part they would put on the table, what was even better everything was touch screen.

Such a great sensory experience for little man.

He loved the touch screen.

Kanani just loves learning new things about animals.

Observing the insects toys in the bins.

Love these kids.

They all have such a special place in my heart.