Sutter's Fort

Well, I promised to write about our time at Sutter's Fort. To refresh your memory, this was an over night field trip to Sutter's Fort in Sacramento. I appreciate over night field trips that include hotels. This one did not. :) So, as we left our house at 6:30 on Thursday morning, I was a little anxious. The boys, on the other hand, were quite excited. Their excitement was bursting out of the windows as we traveled to Sacramento and the year 1846. We were dressed in our period clothing with stuff sacks and such in tow. This picture was taken in our backyard by my wonderful husband before we left.

When we arrived the boys were carpooled over to the Railroad Museum in order to ride in a covered wagon to the fort. This ride took 45 minutes. They looked so cute as they pulled up to the fort. A gentleman greeted them and shared that a traveling salesman had come through and done fooled all of the people that lived at the fort. He had sold them (us) these boxes that he claimed could hold pictures. But we all know that pictures are taken with pencil and paper. He told the pioneers to humor us fooled folk as we tried to use our boxes to take their pictures. He told them to just smile real big and pretend. This was one of Z's favorite parts.

He then introduced John Sutter (my very own Z) to the crowd and told them to follow himself and Mr. Sutter inside the fort. This is where Sutter would issue a welcome to the pioneers whom had traveled so far. The beginning of the video below has Z's welcome speech. Too cute.

After the greeting, all of the students were split into small groups to go through the stations throughout the day. I was assigned to work in the modern kitchen. I became a prep cook and a dishwasher. This was a lot of work, but I REALLY enjoyed myself. I was able to head out here and there and capture pictures of my pioneer boys as they moved through their stations. Every time I caught up with them, they were both grinning from ear to ear. They were having SO much fun!

The boys learned how to use a loom, make candles, build a box, make rope, trap animals, work in a blacksmith's shop, make bread and cinnamon rolls, and prepare our lunch and dinner by chopping fruit and vegetables in the period kitchen. They even visited a covered wagon and heard about the travel to get to the fort. They were even able to use their Sutter bucks to go to the Trade Store to buy period toys and/or food. Again, they were smiling all the way.

That night we had a hoe-down. There was music and men teaching the kids (and adults) how to do square dancing and others. The following pictures and videos give you a little peak into the fun that we had.

Later, we went upstairs and had a sing along. The kids all had the opportunity to play the period instruments. So exciting! Everyone had so much fun! By the time the "show" was over it was about 9:45. We still had night watch! My A was a little bit afraid of doing night watch, but I encouraged him to do it reassuring him that I would go along too. Each pioneer had a pretend gun and had the task to secure the fort. Their task was to walk around the inside edge of the fort looking for anything suspicious. A just knew that someone was going to jump out and scare him. He started the task a little nervously, but really got into it. He was SO brave! I couldn't believe it! He saw someone stirring behind a group of barrels and yelled out, "Come out with your hands up!" All of the pioneers enjoyed hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls that they had a hand in making earlier in the day.

To continue with our adventurous day, the boys and I decided to sleep outside (we have a picture to prove it although it is on someone else's camera...I am awaiting the email)! Remember my comment about enjoying an over nighter in a hotel? Well, there was something about Sutter's Fort that brought out my adventurous side. My boys thought that this would be the best idea! So, around 10:30 or 11:00 we snuggled down into our sleeping bags along with a new friend and her mom. Poor Z and A had a hard time falling asleep due to the chilliness of the night. But they finally succumbed to their sleepiness. Around 2:30, I began to feel drips on my forehead. I sat up along with the other mom. She felt that it was just mist from the fog. So, I laid awake for the next hour waiting it out. Z was cold and so I tried to snuggle him amidst the tiny drops falling. At 3:30 it began to drip more and more. We decided that it was time to move inside. Upon moving inside, I came to realize that Z had taken off his socks to sleep...no wonder he was so cold! Poor guy! So, I slept from about 4:00 to 6:00 and then woke up to go and help in the kitchen. Needless to say, I was exhausted!

As we left Sutter's Fort that morning, we were all sad to go! A wanted to stay for at least a week. Z thought that sounded good. I settled for going back next year. Who knew?

Sutter's Fort Preparation

I am ashamed to say that I was not looking forward to this field trip. My wonderful husband had signed up to go with the boys last fall. He thought that it would be the perfect field trip to do with them. (I was SO relieved!) Since Michael began working for B Line in December, the responsibility fell on me to take the boys on this over-nighter. Have I mentioned that I do not like over-nighters if there is not a hotel involved?

So, the preparation emails began pouring in...costumes, stuff sacks (sacks that were needing to be sewn to hold our stuff - did I mention that I do not sew?), period style plates, cups, and eating utensils, and the list goes on. Did I mention that I do not sew? :) As the list grew, so did my dread for this field trip. A couple of times I asked the boys, "Are you sure that you want to go? Maybe we should just go down for the day and not spend the night. What do you think?" They were appalled that I should ask such questions!

So we searched thrift stores and costume shops for our costumes, watched videos to make sure that we were getting it just right. Fortunately, we found Alter Ego costumes in Chico. The owner treated us well! She got us hooked up. Putting on our costumes really got us excited. It honestly got the boys more excited than this chicken mommy. But, I was getting there.

Then came the stuff sacks. I am going to remind you that I do not sew. My mother-in-law is a seamstress and I wish to be, but I am not. Anyway...knowing that I am not a seamstress, my husband bought me a PINK sewing machine for Christmas a few years back. It was one of those $19.99 specials to let you in on the quality of this machine. It has been sitting in my closet ever since. So, the other night, M and I sat down to sew these three stuff sacks. I pulled out a needle and thread while M pulled out my fancy, pink, sewing machine. He sat and worked on it for quite some time while I pulled my needle and thread. Finally, my high quality sewing machine came to life and M whipped out two of the stuff sacks. They were NOT pretty, but they would indeed hold stuff. My sack, on the other hand, was a little prettier, but it did take me 1 1/2 hours to sew! Where was my mother-in-law when I needed her? :) I love you, MIL!

The stuff sacks were ready, but this mommy was continuing to be panicked about going. I knew that I needed to do it for my boys, but we were only going to go this one time. Once would be enough for me.

You will have to tune in next time for the rest of the story...

Easter Break Eggcitement

Easter break is always an enjoyable time. It is the point in the school year when everyone (students and teachers alike) just need a little break. Our family enjoyed this time very much! We tried to take advantage of the beautiful weather and M's limited time off of work.

For the first two days of the break I did respite for a couple of families. I love to offer this service to other foster parents! It is also great for my children to have other little ones around. They each LOVE to dote on the babies.

On Wednesday, we took a trip to Sacramento for the day. Our children had no idea where we were going. Well...until I ACCIDENTALLY spilled the beans the night before by saying the word zoo on the telephone. OOPS! I am really bad about doing that! So we loaded up in the car that morning and headed to the Sacramento Zoo. It was supposed to rain ALL day in Sacramento. So, we took our hooded coats and an umbrella. Fortunately, the weather was beautiful. It did rain the last 10 or 15 minutes of our zoo experience. Luckily, we were in the gift shop during most of the cloud burst. One of B's favorite parts was the sink in the bathroom that was just her size!

We decided to take a cute little monkey home with us.

Then we headed to Old Sacramento to eat our picnic lunch and take in the sights. The boys loved this part of the trip. It was incredibly educational! I loved that part too! We were able to go into a one-room schoolhouse. Little B loved the slates and chalk. It just reminded me so much of Anne of Green Gables. :) On the way out of town we had to at least drive by the capital. The boys were amazed at the size. "It looks just like the White House!"

On Easter Sunday we enjoyed a morning at our church, lunch with grandma and grandpa, and a fun egg hunt in the backyard. We then went for a bike ride through Bidwell Park and played at Caper Acres. That was little B's favorite part of the day! She loves to go on the swings and down the big twisty slide. A is quite the big brother to her and follows her all around playing whatever she wants to play. Z was over in the sand box for most of the time enjoying meeting new friends as he played.

Our children are also getting very inspired by The Biggest Loser. We watch it together on Tuesday evenings. This picture is from tonight. Bob (Harper), one of the trainers, gave us a trainer tip. He encouraged us to pick up weights during each commercial and do a squat, curl, and press. Z took this very seriously! He got cans out of the pantry to use as weights and did it during the remaining commercials. I was so proud of him! His example wore off on his siblings because each of them got their own cans and worked out during the commercial. I just had to get a picture of it. They were SO cute!

We also spent some time preparing for our field trip to Sutter's Fort. We are supposed to dress up in clothing from 1846. This has not been an easy feat since I am not a seamstress! With a little help from a costume shop we are well on our way! Here are a couple of pictures that we needed to send down ahead of us so that they could post them on the welcome board. What cuties they are!

There will be more to write about in the next couple of weeks. Busy, busy, busy!

Spelling Bee Sensation!

Today was one of those days that make being a mom one of the most amazing jobs in the entire world. I do not care what I get paid, the lack of social clout, or the "dirty" part of the job...being a mom is absolutely fantastic. I have three amazing children that bless my socks off each and every day. My oldest just happened to have a stellar of a day today (and it is not even over yet)!

Today Z competed in the county spelling bee held at the Elks Lodge here in Chico. He competed against 92 other students from Butte County schools. This was a 4th-6th grade competition and Z knew that he was at a slight disadvantage going in since he is just in 4th grade. Z was the 26th person to approach the podium. He did not seem nervous at all! My heart was about to beat out of my chest! I was nervous for the both of us! His first word to spell was stalwart. The students were able to write the word down on a pad of paper and then spell it aloud to the judges. He didn't even write it down. He just started spelling. Oh my! And he spelled it correctly! I couldn't even spell it! The next few rounds were a little less painful as his words were: puny and hue. Upon receiving his next word, my breath caught in my throat. His word was unscrupulous. This one he did write down and spelled it correctly! It was then down to 13 students. He went on to spell intrigue, intellectualize, and pronouncement. All of a sudden it is down to the final two! He made it to the final two! It went back and forth for quite a few words. The rules are, if one student misspells a word, the other student has to spell that word correctly plus another word in order to win. But if both students misspell the word, then they are both safe and they start again. Z came so very close to winning two times...he spelled buffeting (his competitor spelled incorrectly), but then he missed peripheral (I would have too). The next chance he had to win was when he spelled vilify correctly after his competitor misspelled it, but then misspelled curriculum. It all came down to the word megalopolis. Z misspelled this word, but then his competitor spelled it correctly and then spelled affinity as well. Phew!

Z was so thrilled to win a beautiful trophy, a $50 savings bond, and a chance to compete in the state spelling bee at Sonoma State University in May! This mommy was busting at the seams. I was so proud of him! So, after three hours of competition, this very happy boy busted out of the building with a huge smile on his face. Following happily behind was his very proud mommy.

Birthdays and Bruises

Z's actual birthday is tomorrow, but we celebrated a few days ago. His desire was to have a Wii birthday with a RED theme. So, he invited family and his two best friends. His request was to have a Wii cupcake cake. Oh my...Safeway does not make Wii cupcake cakes! So this mommy got to make it! I asked him if it would be ok for me to go and buy a cake with red frosting if the Wii cake did not turn out. He said, "No, it will be just fine." "But what if I am too embarrassed," I asked. He then told me that I would have to hide in my bedroom. :) Well, it turned out ok so I didn't need to hide out this time. :)

When the boys first arrived everyone went online to make their own Mii (a computerized person that looks like them - or not)! They were able to print them out so we put them on their gift bags (which had a tin Wii remote with gum inside and other RED candies).

Then they began to complete a word search...a favorite activity for a few of Z's friends. I had them search for shades of red. It is amazing how many there are! Once the word search was completed, Z and his friends went on a scavenger hunt throughout the house looking for his gifts. It was so fun to follow them around with the camera. Excitement was in the air as they searched for the treasures while following the clues. It is also fun to watch your son get things that he has asked for. His grandma got this book for him that he has been drooling over at Barnes and Noble.

I love birthday cake pictures...especially those of the birthday boy blowing out the candles. I was thrilled to get him in action! I had a hard time counting out the ten candles to put on the cake. He can't really be that old already, can he? The picture in the middle is one of my favorites. Z had the cutest face while we sang "Happy Birthday" to him. Little B was enjoying it very much too! Too cute.

Once all of the adults had left, Z, his brother, and his friends played a Wii marathon. We ordered pizzas and played and played and played. This was EXACTLY what Z wanted to do for his birthday. I could not believe how well all of the boys got along while they played. I also couldn't believe how loudly they all talked...trying to be heard. :) Fortunately, I had some ibuprofen handy and they are such a polite group of boys.

The next day I took A and Z on a date to the batting cages. The slow baseball cage was not all that slow, but A was having some success in hitting them. Z had amazing form, but was missing each pitch. The more anxious he got, the closer he would move to home plate. I continued to encourage him to step back, but them a pitch got him...right on the finger. Oh my...there was so much blood! The whole nail turned black, but he could bend his finger...fortunately. So, we got some ice and a band aid and headed home. It is no longer throbbing, but it is still as black as ever. In the picture it looks like he has fingernail polish on his nail...nope, that is blood UNDER his nail. Ugh... What a great birthday present! I think that we will practice baseball in the park from now on. :)

Bike Rides, Science Fairs, and So Much More!

We have had a busy March and it is not even over yet! I wanted to fill you in on what has been happening around here this month.

My wonderful husband talked me into doing a bike ride with him called the "Tour de Ed". It was a 20 mile fundraising bike tour to raise money for local people who have been injured riding their bikes (inspired by Ed). I felt completely out of my league as we began the ride. I sat atop my hybrid bike (not a racing or touring bike). Fortunately, M took the child seat off of the back and the wire basket off of the front so I didn't look quite so much like a homeschooling mommy. :) We began this ride in downtown Chico, but quickly headed to Durham by way of the almond orchards which were in full bloom (I still say aw-lmond even though I have lived in Chico for almost four years now). For those of you that do not live in Chico, it is almost a sin to say aw-lmond...it is pronounced amond here. I am so glad that I went on this amazing bike ride with my husband. It was so much fun to do it together. And afterward, I was even able to lift A up on my back as you can see in the picture!

M has been really busy working. He has been busy with safe deliveries, moves, and service calls as well as his new job working for B-Line. M has been driving for the city bus since January. It has been a fun change for him as he finds many ways to share the love of Jesus with others along the way. It's amazing what a simple smile and hello can do for people! So, on his time off (which is not a lot), he stays busy being a most amazing daddy, riding his bike (you should see him!), and keeping up with the yard, church activities, and quality time with his wife. How does he fit it all in?

Z has been busy studying for the County Spelling Bee which is coming up on April 2nd. He also participated in C.O.R.E.'s science fair. He did a demonstration on how to make butter. He received a 3rd place ribbon. Way to go, Z! He is also busy memorizing his lines to play Hamlet in an excerpt from the play for the Renaissance Faire at school. He has also begun a drama elective at CCS. They will be performing Pinocchio in a few months! He is SO excited to be involved in this! Z will be 10 this coming Wednesday. We celebrated with my family last Saturday. Z made his own cupcakes and decorated them with chocolate rocks. He is such a boy! He will have a Wii birthday party this Sunday with more family and a few great friends. I plan to make him a Wii remote cupcake cake. Oh dear, wish me luck!

A has begun his second season of baseball! He has been doing very well during his practices. Opening Day is tomorrow and he is so excited. Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures to post of this tonight, but will hopefully add some tomorrow! A continues to take guitar lessons and is taking a ceramics class at CCS this trimester. He has already made a pinch pot, a monkey, and a few other animals.

Little B is growing right before my very eyes! I can't believe how grown-up she is all of a sudden. Her personality is full of silliness and fun! She still enjoys singing and telling stories. She often sits with a doll or other stuffed animal just talking away. I love to overhear these little conversations. One of her favorite things is to go to "Gramma Bonnie's" house to put on makeup. She is quite a good pray-er too! Her prayers often include the following, "Dear Jesus, please be with the Lord's Army and please be with baby Elizabeth and make her strong. In Jesus' name, amen." I'm not sure how the Lord's Army ended up in her prayers, but she LOVES that song! Baby Elizabeth is my cousin's baby girl who was born premature. She has been in our prayers since her birth. She is growing like a weed, by the way. We joke and say that she might grow up to be a football player with all of B's prayers for strength.

Well, I realize that I have gone on and on in this post. Please forgive my ramblings and enjoy our latest!

The Funny Little Things

I love to listen to the funny little things my kids say...these were the most recent:

Little B - While having a serious discussion at the dinner table about manners, Little B proceeded to demonstrate for her brothers how to properly eat a ravioli. In her little mommy voice she said, "First, you make sure that it is in half like this. Then you poke it and put it into your mouth." After she SHOVED the ravioli half into her mouth (and before chewing and swallowing) she said, "That is using manners." At least I think that is what she said through the ravioli in her little mouth. :)

A - A and I were laying on his bed and I was telling him about the very first time that I met him (he loves to hear this story). As I was telling him about how his daddy had told me that he had two "angel boys", A said, "And your licence plate frame says, 'I teach angels'!" That I do. :)

Z - While watching Jeopardy, Z was so excited to find one that he knew. The answer was, "4 pecks is equal to one of these." Z shouted out, "What is a BUSHEL?!" I looked at him in awe and asked how he knew the answer. I expected him to say, "I read it while doing my school work" or something like that. His answer? "I read it in Calvin and Hobbes!" Ha! Leave it to Calvin to teach my boys what they need to know. :)