Visiting the State House and ... toots

The kids and I took a field trip yesterday to Augusta to participate in the
Liberty Kids Day program in Maine.

March 16th, 2006 is the 255th anniversary of the birth of James Madison, the 'Father of the Constitution,' and the official Liberty Day as recognized by the Congress of the United States. Kids will be going into their respective state capitols all over this country to give out free copies of the US Constitution and to quiz legislators, lobbyists, employees, visitors and guests with their factual questions from the text of the Constitution.

"Quizzing" people at the State House yesterday really taught them more about the historic document better than I ever could have imagined.



And I have to say, the lawmakers and visitors at the State House (lobbyists, lawyers, realtors there for a meeting and lots of other people) were really great. They stopped to answer the kids' questions and all seemed pleased to wear the "I got quizzed" stickers the kids gave out to thank them.

Here's a couple of questions the kids asked.

• What's the 19th Amendment?
  
• Who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy?
  
• What are the five rights in the First Amendment?
  

Answers are below if you don't know them Out of all the questions the kids asked the one that very few knew the answer to was the five rights in the First Amendment. And after several adults didn't get it right (although the lawmakers knew, visitors could only name a couple), the kids took pleasure in telling them the answer because they did know. It's one Amendment I don't think they'll forget because of this experience. Of course, Bunny and Flat Stanley came with us. A view of the dome from the inside. We went in the Law and Legislative Reference Library just to look around and L. found a copy of the state's Constitution from 1821. "Take a picture with Bunny. Look at the old pages. It's like a million years old." she whispered. Well, we weren't at the State House to learn math... Then a helpful tour guide told us about the State House Dioramas in the basement so we went to check them out. "Look, the moose is sniffing Bunny!" After spending the morning at the State House, we had lunch and went to the State Museum. The kids loved exploring the museum but the highlight of the visit was the 1920s car display. It was classic "potty humor" and L. couldn't resist. "Mommy, you have GOT to see this. It is so funny!"
Quiz Answers:

19th Amendment gave women the right to vote.

Commander-in-Chief is the President (many people thought it was a trick question because it seemed too easy)

1st Amendment - freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition

Where's Bunny? #7

Do you know where Bunny is in this photo?

You have to name the town/city AND the street (or nearby business) it is on. And yes, it is certified as a real piece of the historic wall.

Game Rule Reminder: The first person to POST A COMMENT (it doesn't count if you email me) about Bunny's location in the photo (or answer the question posed), wins a "really cool glitter pen" from MaineToday.com (a direct quote from L.). Anyone can win so if you know the answer, post it (and don't forget to include your email address).

Where's Bunny? #6

Here's another round of the Where's Bunny? game.

Be sure to post the name of the PLACE and the town/city.

Game Rule Reminder: The first person to POST A COMMENT (it doesn't count if you email me) about Bunny's location in the photo (or answer the question posed), wins a "really cool glitter pen" from MaineToday.com (a direct quote from L.). Anyone can win so if you know the answer, post it (and don't forget to include your email address).

Where's Bunny? #5 - Answer

What road sign was Bunny on?

He was "taking a ride" on a snowmobile crossing sign.

If you haven't won yet, check back later. I still have lots of glitter pens to give away.

Where's Bunny? #5

The kids took this photo of Bunny on a road sign (don't worry, we chose a quiet road with a sign set far off the shoulder). I've cropped the photo so you can see Bunny but not the entire road sign.

Do you know what kind of road sign this is?

I'll add a clue in the comments tomorrow if no one posts a guess today.

Game Rule Reminder: The first person to POST A COMMENT (it doesn't count if you email me) about Bunny's location (or answer the question posed) in the photo, wins a "really cool glitter pen" from MaineToday.com (a direct quote from L.). Anyone can win so if you know the answer, post it (and don't forget to include your email address).

Bunny contest inspiration

Exchanging Flat Stanley with other families wasn't the only inspiration for the Where's Bunny? contest. Our geocaching Travel Bugs also played a part in giving us photo ideas as well.

The kids and I have loved the photos people have taken of our Travel Bugs, particularly the ones in New Zealand. The photo of Hiking Doggie with the blue wedding cake was priceless. Not that I have a lot of experience with weddings (my own being in Vegas with Elvis), but my take on the big day for people who go through all that hoopla is not about some stranger's geocaching Travel Bug...

We have some other favorite pictures as well.

"Hey mom, Hiking Doggie is getting to meet other dogs in New Zealand! That's cool!" (you can just see him in the bottom lip of the dog)
Annika The Hiker doesn't have nearly as many photos as Hiking Doggie, but the beach shot in her gallery cracks me up.

Then there are our domestic Travel Bugs like Lilo the Swimmer. She posed for a photo a tidal pool "with a starfish hat." At the moment, she is hanging out in northern Maine on the Canadian border.

And we can't forget Ronny, who "loves to eat cheeseburgers and french fries" (a kindred spirit with the girls). He's in Vermont right now.

Not that I have to prove the point that my family is a little over-the-top (most know we are), but that there are lots of other people just like us. I mean, it's pretty funny - total strangers all over the world taking our various toys and flat, laminated characters and posing them for photos.

It's great.

Where's Bunny? #4

Bunny and "Sister Bunny"

Earlier this week we were driving by a lake (Maine's second largest - hint, hint) and saw some ice fishing shacks. The kids wanted a closer look so we stopped. It turned out the ice glider/sailboat was what really ended up capturing their attention.

We didn't see it in action but have in the past and both girls want to try it out. Maybe next year, the ice was "groaning" and I wasn't feeling too confident venturing beyond the shore. And with warmer temps on the way, the ice will be gone really soon anyway. There's always next year - something I keep saying because this Maine winter has been so strange...

So tell me, Where is Bunny?

Game Rule Reminder: The first person to POST A COMMENT (it doesn't count if you email me) about WHERE Bunny is in the photo, wins a "really cool glitter pen" from MaineToday.com (a direct quote from L.). Anyone can win so if you know where Bunny is, post it (and don't forget to include your email address).