Rod and Anne's Visit

I'm so glad that Rod and Anne were able to visit this last week.  I know the drive is pretty terrible, so when they offer to drive up here I am always so grateful for their sacrifice.  While they were here we went on a home school field trip to visit Pompey's Pillar.  

Pompey's Pillar was one of the stops on the Lewis and Clark Expedition where Clark carved his name into a rocky pillar.  While we were driving we read and listened to some interesting facts.  Here are just a few... Did you know that Sacajawea was sold to her husband by a Native American tribe that was not her own?  Did you know that she was the Daughter of a chief?  Did you know that her husband was part of the expedition and she was recruited because of her knowledge of the land and the languages of the Native Americans?  Did you know she was pregnant while on the expedition?  Go Sacajawea!  Did you know that she had her baby while on the expedition and that this monument we visited was named after him?  

I will have to say that although it was just a carving in a rock, it was pretty cool to see something that's been around for that long.  Audrey as usual found a few rocks for her rock collection. She also found a stick she had difficulty departing with until she selflessly realized that another child may need a stick to keep them company on their adventure as well.  We saw so many Canadian Geese on our trip that I had to wonder if geese actually fly south for the winter, or as Rod pointed out, maybe this is south for them.

It was the off season for the tour guides so we had to park out a ways and walk in.  It felt so good to walk and be in the sun last week after not seeing it for so long.  I feel like this is the beginning of spring and I'd have to say that I'm pretty happy about it. 

Later in the week Rod and Anne were so sweet to watch Audrey for a night while we took a trip to Chico Hot Springs.  In Chico, Montana they have a lodge that is built around a hot spring.  They have the most amazing food, fly fishing, river rafting, and horseback riding. The lodge has been there for 100 years.  The updating of the rooms is lacking but they made up for it in other ways.  Paul and I loved it so much that we decided to go back next year with Audrey. 

Rod and Anne took Audrey to the art museum, we watched both Mary Poppins movies, took a walk, ate a lot of ice cream, went sledding, put puzzles together, read history books, did science experiments, and took naps.  We had a pretty relaxing week.  Thanks for the visit and for helping us explore and little bit more of Montana!  We're looking forward to the summer!            

Drama and Science

 I laughed as I pulled up these pictures.  I think my girl has a flare for the dramatic.  I should probably put them to good use and put her in acting classes.  I think most of the time she lives in a dramatic film where she is the leading role.  It kind of leaks into all aspects of her life.  For example, just a moment ago she was flailing around on the floor acting as though her live was over because I asked her to do a math page out of a book that she despises.  The whole, I'm dying on the floor routine.  Then she was running around like she was from a mental hospital moaning the name of this same book. After that dramatic episode was over she brought me a notebook with the words "Spectrum Math is my ENEMY!" scrawled in large words over the page it was open to. I have to giggle a little under my breath how just moments later she then said, "I'm wasting my time", and picked up her math book to start working on her assignment.  

I've found when it comes to school it's best to ignore the drama and she eventually figures it out, but any other time of the day it's just entertaining.  I have to wonder what she's going to do when she grows up and goes to college.  Will it be science, art, writing, or acting?  I guess time can only tell.

A few days ago she was begging to do a science experiment out of a book I bought from one of those online parties (another story for another time :) ).  We didn't get around to it during the day so she asked Paul if he would do it with her when he got home. I'm glad we waited because they had a great time together trying different colors and different amounts of baking soda.  The spewing dinosaur was a hit.  So far the experiment book was worth buying. More experiments to come.  I hope Audrey never stops loving to learn.          

Cabin Fever Creativity

It's been freezing over here. They say that we've broken a national record for low temperatures up here in Montana.  I've been so happy for home school this year for many reasons but the one I'm most grateful for in this moment is the fact that neither of us have the brave the cold unless we really really want to.   The times I did try to venture out for music, P.E, or gymnastics I got stuck in the unplowed snow on our street and found the only way to get through was not to push the gas at all. Luckily Montana does have the sense to plow some of the busier roads or we wouldn't have gone anywhere.    Surprisingly the schools only had one snow day over the last two weeks with temperatures as low as 30 and 40 below.  Cabin fever was real around here.  We got really creative.  

I love that she still loves this little kitchen that we bought in Houston for $5 when she was two.  It's the gift that keeps on giving.  We regularly eat at Audrey's restaurant.  She makes the most delicious looking food.  She even puts fruit into our cups when she wants to serve juice.  She always comes up with her own menu and serves us at a little table complete with a table cloth.  

Paul joined us toward the end of our dinner.  He sat at the table and ordered his meal.  Audrey was so happy to have him join us.  Her smiles are always bigger when he's around.  I think the same goes for him.  They are two peas in a pod.
I love that she chooses her favorite pictures that she's drawn to put on her wall.  It's always fun to see the new additions.  The ones she chosen are some of my very favorites.  I'd like to think that they'd stay there for a long time, but with as often as we move, they'll eventually come down and get filed away.  Someday we'll be permanent, until then, I'll love the adventure.
I'm so grateful for my little family!