Story Circles
Freedom Center
February 15
12 PM


Highlighting wonderful children's books featured in the Freedom Center's Teacher Resource Center and Gift Shop, these interactive sessions invite our young participants to read aloud to the group. Recommended for ages 3 - 11 years. This program series is free with Center admission.February 15, 12:00 p.m.Hall of Everyday Freedom Heroes

Although I was a bit apprehensive about heading downtown without one of the older kids to help me out, I decided that we would give the story circle a try. We didn't have any trouble finding parking (although I did have to pay $4 to park) and the walk from the garage under the stadium to the Freedom Center was only a few blocks. Because Jay frequently takes the boys downtown for baseball games, they are really familiar with downtown walking and stay constantly aware of the buzzing traffic.

There were 4 other families that tried to join the story circle, but the oldest of the children looked to be only about 3 and they didn't want to sit and listen. The Riesenberg children, on the other hand, made themselves quite comfortable laying on the floor and gave the woman in charge their full attention. She ended up reading them 4 magnificent books. The only one I know the exact title of was "The Butter Battle Book" by Dr. Suess. I believe the titles of the others were "Don't Laugh at Me", "The Princess who lost her hair" and "Zuma" based on an African folk tale.

After storytime was over she stayed and chatted with me a bit, saying she loved having homeschooled children come to events at the Freedom Center and how she and her husband plan to homeschool their own family once they have children. It is so wonderful to hear from adults that encounter children daily that they are impressed by homeschooled kids. She told me to keep watching for more events for the kids.

We wandered around the center for a while, taking in a couple of the movies and playing in the interactive areas. The kids really enjoy playing the interactive computer game where they pretend to be a slave who decides to run and where they have to make decisions that guide their journey north. What amazes me is that both Cade (4) and Jacob (6) know how to answer the questions just from walking around the museum and listening. They also love playing in the mock up of a "safe house" . One of them pretends to be a slave catcher and the other a slave and they have to decide where to hide.

When we left and headed back to the parking garage, we found the power to the elevator turned off so we had to walk all the way past the stadium and down all the steps, made for a long journey back. The weather was absolutely GORGEOUS, so I asked the kids if they would like to stop by the zoo before heading home since it was less than 10 minutes from downtown. Everyone agreed!

We ionly spent about an hour and a half meandering through the zoo. We saw the elephants, giraffes, okapi, wild hogs, gazelles, white lions, polar bears and speckled bears. Sophie, Will and I sat on the bench when the other kids went through the manatee exhibit. I am so glad we took the opportunity to enjoy the warm day, since I heard on the radio on the way home that we are in store for "return" of the cold wet weather that has plagued us this winter.