Rockledge gardens Part 1

On a whim I took K over to the Rockledge Gardens as I've heard some great things about the place. We arrived and walked in and all I can say is WOW!  In fact cant wait for family to fly down and take them to this garden, it's just that cool.

As you walk around the garden there are lots of workers who KNOW the plants and willing to teach you what they know about the different types of plants.  They know so much I'm planning an adult field trip here shortly with the husband as we start the planning for our landscaping.

Fee is whatever you end up buying for your home garden.

The fountains

 K and i just loved this pond.  They had tadpoles near all those pretty lily pads.  I'm going to have to ask if they sell tadpoles, would love a couple for the classroom

 I love red doors and this one was no different. 

                          As you can see these plants have shade over them so they don't fry in the Florida sun.

there are road signs like this all around the garden.  This place is huge they even have a map that helps you find what your looking for.

A lemon tree..look at how gorgeous these lemons are.  I think I want a lemon tree if our yard :o)

 One of the worksheets we got as we studied Bamboo plants. 

 The Cactus garden.  Lots of close up learning went on here.  K didn't touch but he was in aww of all the different types of cactus

 Some upside down trumpets as K called them

K said these flowers look like little banana's


                                                    Some flowers around the garden

Even a little train track around a flower bed

 A grasshopper that K found and tried to catch.  Yeah that never happened but he had fun trying

Check Back for Part 2

Feild Trip: Ben and Jerrys Scoop shop

Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop

7/9

This morning out homeschool group went to Ben and Jerry's to learn about how their ice cream is made.  Since this is just a scoop shop we watched a kid friendly DVD on how their ice cream comes together.

The kiddos are asking questions about Ben and Jerry's before the video starts

Some of the yummy Ice cream in the shop.  pretty smart to use rectangle containers over the round ones we normally see at scoop shops.  To keep  the ice cream cold there is a block of ice under each tube of ice cream and the cooler it's in.  I believe she said it stays about 20 degrees in these coolers

Here the kids are looking at how they store their ice cream.  The freezer to the right is the bump freezer.  This is where the ice cream goes as it becomes ready for when the front cooler needs a refill.  This freezer is 10 degrees inside

The back freezer is -30.In this freezer they need to wear jackets to go inside it's just that cold.  All the kiddos got to stick their hands in to feel how cold it is in their.  I didn't need to stick my hand in I was in the back and when she opened it I could feel that Artic chill :o)

Kayden right after sticking his arm into the freezer.  He thought it was really cold but neat.  I asked him if he wanted to move to Alaska where the weather can get this cold and he said "NO but thanks for asking"

Explaining the waffle bowl/cup makers.

wiping away the waffle drips

This is how they make it into a bowl

Kayden enjoying his Chunky Monkey Ice Cream with Reese pieces

Kayden and his buddy at the end of the field trip

Thank to you all over at Ben and Jerry's that make this wonderful Ice Cream and those at the scoop shop and to Kristi who put this trip together for all of us to enjoy.