Leaving on the Midnight train to ......

After much anticipation, Brady and I finally had the chance to ride the train to Jackson, MS for his Spotlight field trip! Two days, 50+ second graders, we were destined to have a blast, right?
The day started off slow. The train was two hours late getting in from Chicago. Apparently, the weather in the rest of the world isn't like it is here! Seriously, I know the world revolves around the Pillstrom house, right? So, it was snowing in Chicage which made the train late.

Finally, we boarded the train. Brady was excited that we were rooming with a friend of his from class. I'm not going to publish his name, well, because I didn't ask his mom if it was ok. So, back to the story! Riding the train is a lot like being on a plane. Except for the massive leg room, no security, and no one giving you a dirty look for not turning off your electronic device!


This was the first time for us both and Brady was full of energy and super excited!
4 hours and a big fat nap later, we made it to Jackson. A bus picked us up and we went to eat lunch. Then off to the Museum of Natural Science.
The kids got the opportunity to work on a science lab and while they did, I hung out with this cute guy!




During their lab, they learned about animals, their habitats, and how animals become extinct. Then they met two of the residents. A snake that poops as self defense. (I'm not joking!) they also met this little guy. I don't remember his name but he was really cute! So, alligators have heart similar to people with 4 chambers. And when you lay them on their backs, they go into like a trance. Then when you flip them back over they're all disorentied! It was really interesting.

After the lab, we had a scavenger hunt through the museum. I enjoyed it and made us really look at the displays.
That night included dinner and a play. I didn't take my camera just because I was dressed up and didn't want to wear a backpack!
The next day, we hiked all over downtown Jackson to visit the old and new capitols as well as the governor's mansion.

I couldn't resist taking many pictures of the detail work in the new capitol. They call it "new" it was built in 1903. I love old buildings the craftmanship is amazing. And of course, no photo is complete until it's been edited to enhance its beauty!




We boarded the train again around 6 and made the 4 hour trek back to Memphis. It was awesome getting dropped off right next to the car! Unlike the airport, you just hop off the train and there you are in the parking lot! I loved the trip and I loved spending time with Brady! On the down side, he stopped calling me "Mommy" and started calling me "Mom." He also wouldn't hold my hand for very long! It makes me so sad that he's growing up so fast!