Birthday Celebrations!

I had a pretty low key Birthday this year, which was just fine with me. I share my Birthday with my sister-in-law, and her husband has his Birthday on the 2nd. So we celebrated all three of our Birthdays last Sunday together- Ann was super sweet and brought over two cakes and a pineapple (my BIL doesn't eat cake) so we each had candles to blow out.

Then, last night Ben and I went to downtown Littleton for a delicious dinner at Merle's (might be our new favorite restaurant- we even got to eat on the roof). After dinner, we went to the theater to see Once Upon A Matress. We had never even heard of it before, even though it is apparently quite famous. It was really cute- the actors were fabulous. For a small theater, they really put on a great show. We definitely need to go back- it was a great night, and a perfect way to celebrate my Birthday. Maybe next year we'll bring the kids along...maybe.

Speaking of the girls, however, they love Birthdays, and they were really sweet this year. They worked incredibly hard, and secretively, and made me a "Mystery Book":

The idea is that the girls went around and "took pictures." My job (or the readers job) is to figure out who took each picture. You lift the flap to figure out who took the picture. It was a lot of fun reading, and even more fun to see their creativity put to great use. They are always very thoughtful, and they put a lot of work into this- which made it the best gift I could ask for!

Curls

The girls wanted to put some curlers in their hair. I didn't think they would be able to sleep with them in their hair, but they loved it.

Camille's hair turned out the best, in my opinion. Love these girls!

A Sweet Moment

The other day we were reading "Patty Reed's Doll." This is a book about the Donner-Reed party. Obviously, it does not end well.

After we finished the book, Audra asked me, "Why did Heavenly Father have the snow come early that year?"

We were able to have a really precious moment where we had the chance to talk about trials, suffering, and God's role in bringing us peace regardless of our circumstances. Both of us were crying as we talked about God's love for us, and His desire for us to have joy in our lives, but that sometimes that also includes suffering.

I was just really grateful to have this precious moment with my girls. It's these moments that I want to remember forever.

C-A-M-I-L-L-E

This was the first time (that I actually noticed) that Camille just sat down and wrote her name without any guidance from anybody. She is really getting her letters down. I can see a huge improvement from just a few weeks ago. Way to go, Camille!

Busy Week

To say it's been a busy week is quite the understatement. In fact, Audra said on Tuesday, "Mom, we need to have one day a week where we don't do anything!" She is right, of course. Everything goes SO MUCH BETTER when we aren't always on the go. I think my girls might actually be sick of field trips. How many parents can say that?

On Tuesday we went to a pioneer games co-op. A group leader led us on a hike. Each student was designated a role on a pioneer trek- doctor, mom, daughter, scout, etc. At varying points along the route different things happened- mom broke her arm, grandpa died, and much more. Luckily, my girls survived (and there actually was a bit of luck- Audra quite literally almost stepped on a rattlesnake- yikes!). It fit along perfectly with our unit, and the girls really did enjoy themselves.

Today we went to a Living History Fair that aimed to bring to life the era of the Revolutionary War. The kids played games from that era, dipped candles in wax, saw a battle demonstration, used saws and augers, and made/tasted apple cider (my personal favorite).

And then tonight was the girls favorite- the library hosted a Fairy Tale Ball! The girls have been counting down the days and have looked forward to it like nothing else. I think we can safely say that we no longer need to take the kids to Disneyland. They are just fine on the Princess front.

 

Comic Book Store

Claire is really into comic books. I really don't even know how much, but I know that while we were camping a total comic book geek was wearing a t-shirt with just the eyes of 6 different comic book characters, and Claire could identify all but one:

I had no idea she knew that many comic book characters. As a total and complete non-comic book reader, it is not something I have pushed or encouraged at all, because it simply never crossed my mind.

While we were on vacation at BYU, they had a very small one room comic book museum that we took the girls to. That really seemed to pique her interest more and she even drew a comic strip:

"Help! Help! Help me!" "Drat, oh drat that robber!" "I'm going to save her!" (note: I love that it's a female superhero) "Thank you for saving me!" "Let's be friends" "Forever" "Yay, let's have fun!" "Together" "The end. They lived happy ever after."

Ben thinks this is the greatest thing in the history of the world- one of his children likes comic books! And, since she does, the other two are interested as well!

He's been plotting a trip to the comic book store (the one he shopped at as a child) all week. We really don't want her to read silly nonsense comics like My Little Pony or Barbie, so he researched what good, quality comic books with strong female characters are good for 7 year old girls. He found a couple to try, but in the end only Audra would buy one of his recommendations- The Lumberjanes. In the end, Claire chose a spooky Mickey Mouse comic and Camille chose an old Lady and the Tramp comic. I have a feeling we will be heading back to the comic book store soon.

We are quite certain this is the only time 4 girls have ever been in this store at the same time.

Homeschool Homework

One great thing about studying frontiersmen in Denver is that there are a million different places to explore and activities to complete that go along with the theme. One con is that there simply isn't enough time to do all of the great things this city has to offer.

So, today we did a little family field trip up to Buffalo Bill's grave and then we took the kids panning for gold. It was wonderful-we had such a blast! I'm hoping all of these hands on experiences will help the kids remember what we are learning.

Unfortunately, the girls did not find their college fund. We were highly disappointed.