Field Trip: Booth Western Art Museum

We've been reading Holling Clancy Holling's book Tree in the Trail this year, and as a celebration of finishing the book we decided to meet some friends in Cartersville at the Booth Western Art Museum.  Neither of us had ever been to this museum before, but we were all extremely impressed with how well it was laid out, how beautiful the architecture was, and how kid-friendly it was.  

This is another field trip that was amazing, in part, because we almost had the place to ourselves.  But it's a winner all-around (and we'll definitely go back). First off, the museum is extremely affordable, as children get in free.  Second off, they have one of maybe three completely glass elevators in the country.  The kids would have sat and watched the elevator go up and down all morning if we let them.  It is pretty cool to see the weights and gears and everything.  Third off, the museum is organized really well and has a variety of interesting galleries.  And finally, there is a children's museum in the basement that is amazing!

They have a life-sized horse you can climb or jump on that actually whinnies and neighs when you pull the reigns.

They have a replica of a coach car that you can climb in and rock back and forth and up and down.

I didn't get any good pictures of the rest of the room, but it was divided into sections with different Western games you could play and art you could make.  Definitely a winner.

Our sweet field trip buddies - so thankful for this family!

Beautiful

This girl!
It was Japanese dress-up day at school, and this was our best attempt at making Songbird Japanese-looking.  She looks more like Heidi or someone from Scandinavia, but either way I thought her hair looked so lovely. :)

GrandJan's Birthday: A Trip to Springville

My sister is back in the country for a few months, so to combine visiting with her and celebrating my Mom's birthday, the kids and I took a trip to Springville.  We had two amazing 60 degree days, and we spent as much time in the woods as we could.  It was like camping with the luxury of having soft beds to sleep in at night. :)  It's nice that my brother's family lives with my parents right now, so we got to spend a lot of time with cousins.  But we missed Kris and Katie and Hubry!

All the Grandkids

Acting silly!

Sweet little sis' 

Eating hotdogs and roasting marshmallows at the upper rock room.

Climbing trees.

Fording rivers (or springs).

A Play

I went to run some errands today, and when I came home, the family had prepared a 3 act play for me entitled My Side of the Mountain.  If you've read the book, then you know all about Sam and his adventures living alone in the woods with a dugout tree for a home.  Bro played the role of Sam.

Sam trains a baby falcon and names her Frightful.  Songbird played the role of Frightful.

Raindrop played a butterfly.  The frequent appearance of said butterfly deviates from the story line a bit,  but there's not much you can do when the three year-old insists on being a butterfly:)

Hubry acted as a narrator, and he also played Bando and Sam's father.  It was a great play with lots of clever moments (I especially liked how the small apartment was imagined by Hubry and Bro climbing under the little red children's table.)  They also used real firewood and put a red flashlight inside to depict the campfire.

Here's a few of the happy cast after the show.

Whata performance!

Visit with Bailey Elizabeth

Jack had a weekend of work to do in Kennesaw, which meant we got to spend some time with this sweet little one and her Momma.  The kids doted on her, to say the least...

NYC - Anniversary Trip

Hubry invited me to join him on a trip to NYC, and I am so glad I did.  He only had one engagement while there, which meant the rest of the time could be spent together gallivanting through the city.  We did a lot of walking (and I did some running, too), and eating, and more walking, and coffee drinking, and more walking, and more eating.  That pretty much sums up our trip.  It was so lovely to spend so much time talking and dreaming and remembering together.  I am so thankful for this man!!

Songbird's Recital

Songbird woke up this morning with an idea for a piano recital.
She spent all morning practicing her songs and choosing which ones to perform.
Then she decided that a proper recital needs a proper program.

Of course a proper recital with a proper program needs a proper dessert reception.

And the dessert was already in mind - frozen chocolate-dipped banana bites.  They were yummy!

After Hubry got home from work and the dinner was finished, Songbird donned her "prettiest" dress, passed out the programs, and played her recital.

I am so proud of how hard Songbird works on the piano (even though she doesn't have a proper teacher or proper lessons). :)  And I loved watching her creatively plan the recital from beginning to end.  What a joy!