Western Fun

We have FINALLY finished this chapter of our studies. It seems like every time I thought we were finished with it, something else would pop up and we would go right back into it! Did I mind? Yes and no. The grand finale was more than what I expected. God is so faithful and good!
We were studying a chapter on early American History and the first 15 US presidents. I was blessed to already have everything I needed. I thought that was enough, until I began to read some more and realized I really wanted the children to learn about The Oregon Trail and the Santa Fe Trail-two things I never learned about in school. (I am a army brat and by the time we were ready to cover the topic, we moved and when I got to the new school, they had just finished it). A friend of ours from church loaned us the game Oregon Trail- too much fun! I would advise it for older children who like computer games. Amazingly, I was able to make it to Oregon City the second time I played. The first time, I died from scurvy and starvation because I didn't hunt and pick berries properly. I couldn't hunt because I didn't buy enough ammunition at the last trading post we passed. So sad. The other wagon trainers buried me so nicely and then I got the big, "GAME OVER" Geez, they could have broke it to me gently. lol (BTW, Thanks Brianna)
Anyway, I wanted the children to make covered wagons- once again, because I never did. They turned out better than I expected. We just some shoe boxes and hot glued the paper across the opening and added a few pipe cleaners to give the paper some stability. The children made items that would be needed in a real trip west. It was fun! Oh and we made weels from the lids of the shoe boxes.
We learned about the California Gold Rush. Then, I wished there was a way to have my children to pan for gold so they could really understand the books we were reading from that time period. Little did I know my prayer would soon be answered.
While looking at a website of our local Indian and Western museum for someone else, I stumbled across an offer they had to get a membership free! Not only that, but within the week they were having something called a West Fest. So, I got the info and we went. It was waaaaayyyyyy more than I expected! It solidified everything we had been learning in this chapter of Weaver- my children even got to pan for gold!!! I had fun, my children had fun!!!! Of course I took pictures and I even got a little video or two.
First are the pics, second is a video of a guy who was really funny and loved yodeling, and the third is a video of a woman doing rope tricks and such. Enjoy- we did!

The Yoddler (sp?)

Once Again...

Please be patient while I give my blog an extreme make-over : )

NEVER FORGET!

Unexpected Blessing

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
(Matthew 21:22)
Well, God is good! I have had a busy and wonderful month! I had a desire for my children to have a wooden play set for years now. When we lived in our first house and only had two or three children, we were blessed with a metal play set. The kids loved it! Then we moved, and the took it with us, but it soon rusted and was basically thrown away. We were with my parents for 4 years and they had a play set for the children in their backyard. It was nice and the children were content. Then, God blessed us with this house. We were happy and knew we wanted yet another one- but wooden. They can get expensive, so we decided to get settled in the house first, then conscentrate on buying a good, sturdy playset. Well, my mom calls me one day and tells me she is coming over. At first I didn't think too much about it, then it dawned on me that she would have to drive pretty far to get to my house, so something must be going on. Finally, she told me- she was bringing over the children's New Wooden Playset! I was so surprised and happy! She had been talking about one she saw and really wanted the kids to have and God blessed her financially, so she went and bought it!!!! God is so good. We were happy just to be in our own house, but now to have something for the kids to play on in the backyard was more than I expected. Here are some pictures- Thank You, MOM!!!