The rest of Spring Break was filled with little things like time hanging out in the neighborhood with friends. Crazy that we still had snow.
And then gas prices....
I've been constantly asking Rebekah not to leave her towel on the carpet in her bedroom. Well, it's not on carpet or in her bedroom....
We had lunch with grammy and Frank, and found this little guy.
I had to buy Rebekah size 14 pajamas. Little girl keeps growing.
We played Minecraft.
Rebekah wrote a nice letter concerning getting a pet.
Dear Family Counsel,
My name is Ava and I am the Blind Biker. I am writing to you to make you know Pets and Human family can change the world.
1) Everyone knows that pets can relieve stress so if more people get dogs and cats there will be less war, stress, and conflict in general.
2) People can relieve stress as well. They can calm me down (with pets) so there will be less war, stress, and conflict, again!
3) Last of all Pets and Humans can work together to change the world. I hope that you will listen to my thoughts...
...to make the world a better place with pets. Thank you.
With love,
Ava aka Blind Biker
And finally, while we were in Utah Spencer asked me what my spirit animal was. I didn't know, so I found an internet test. It was so interesting I had Don do it when we got home. His spirit animal is an Otter.
A detailed history of Ancient Rome which is a new area for me. I got lost many times. I would like to read it again, or another book on the same subject so I can gain a better understanding.
This is the second time I read this one. There are a few authors that I'd probably read their grocery list if I could. Bill Bryson is one of those. He rambles a lot but I love his rambling. The last chapter asks us to think about what we are doing to our Earth and begs us to change our behaviors.
I've read a lot of Gill Paul as well. Most are historical fiction with a co-star of some famous person, this one being Florence Nightingale. I also learned more about the Crimean War. Yes, Gill Paul writes romance as well so there was a lot of that but it wasn't too much to outweigh the historical information. I also like that Gill Paul writes a historical run down of the subject at the end of her books.
This biography was very well done. Mary Todd Lincoln has a pretty bad reputation as a historical figure. The author explains more of her background and early life and therefore helps us to understand the reasons behind her actions. Not saying she didn't make some questionable choices but having understanding is always better. It is another testament that we should not judge on outward appearances and gossip / rumors.
This was an interesting middle grade fiction novel about a girl who has a mother that is addicted to pain killers. She spends a lot of time on her own and makes a friend over the internet. The friend live streams her flights and adventures in the Arizona desert. One day she crashes her flight, the main character witnesses the crash on live stream, but no one believes her or takes her seriously. So she takes matters into her own hands and sets out to find her. The book addresses addiction and child neglect. It also has some good hero values. And all is well in the end. Highly recommendable. However, I wish there were more books with well adjusted parents who take care of our kids.
Yet another WWII historical fiction. This was about a girl who was told her great aunt had died early of a childhood disease but later she finds out the family was hiding that the aunt was a traitor to her country. The main character refuses to believe and does more research into the aunt to solve the mystery. It's actually pretty good and had enough newness that it didn't seem like reading the same old WWII historical fiction novel. Recommendable.
Fascinating account of the Marquis de Lafayette. Americans tend to know the American version of Lafayette but forget the man had a past in France and continued to do much during the French Revolution. The historical account is not dry but reads like a novel. Highly recommendable.
Chinese folk story about two twins, their parents who are missing, and their grandpa who turns out to be more than he seems. The book also addresses revenge and the horrible toll it can take. A very good read.
Middle grade novel about a girl with a mom who is always on business trips and seems to have no time for her daughter. The girl feels like she did something to make her mother not love her. Then one summer, her mother being on a business trip, she spends a month with her mother's friends at August Isle. There she solves the mystery of her mother's actions. Pretty good book involving a good mystery, but again it seems like all these books are filled with dysfunctional parents.
The book starts with some of said dysfunction - the parents want to go on a trip together so they force their daughter to go to a summer camp. But that's as bad as the parents get. The girl has a hard time at the camp but eventually learns more about herself and becomes more successful by the end, even making good friends and everything.
The opening chapter was interesting, but the last chapter is where the meat of the book comes from. As for the actual main content of the book, there are much better Grant histories out there. This was a pale compilation of his life at best.
Rebekah's reading this in her fourth grade class so she asked me to read it so I could tell her before hand if anything traumatic was going to happen. This was much different than the first book where she had to deal with all the troubles immersing in school. In this book Melody wants to go to camp. The content is about her experiences at the camp. She learns she can do more than she thought. Recommendable. And no trauma found.
The trip home sold me on the Saint George airport. Easiest security line ever. Although the plane was really small (we couldn't stand up without rubbing our head on the ceiling) it still made for a good flight and good views of the Grand Canyon.
I knew we were going to need to get something to eat once we got to Arizona. I didn't realize, however, that all the restaurants were extremely out of the way. There was only one open that was on our way. So we got chicken tenders and a pretzel. This and a bottle of milk and water cost us about $35. Ouch.
Rebekah's ears and head faired much better this time around. We ended up watching shows and eating snacks, finally making it back to Indy in good time. And of course, Rebekah has to get pictures of the Indy cars for daddy.
And speaking of the daddy:
One more car picture and then we were off to get our bag.
And on our way home.
Back home again, in Indiana. Good to be back with the dad. So glad we got to make the trip! So many wonderful memories.
For our last evening Spencer was suppose to get off early to play around with us. Once he got home... Ironically I have pictures somewhere of Michael with a hedgehog on his head. Must be a family thing...?
The plan that night was for a fire complete with hotdogs and marshmallows. This was a new experience for the Bee. I don't think we have done something like this since Rebekah was 4 or so.
Spencer had his iPhone on to some 60's music. At one point this happened:
And this:
The night continued and the marshmallows came out.
One for each hand.
I realized I didn't have many pictures of Spencer and me so I tried a few. Bad lighting here.
Rebekah joined us for this one.
I had Claire come in for this one.
Then it was time to clean up and get ready for bed. All too soon.
The morning of the 17th we woke up to some festivities. Apparently a leprechaun came and made the girls cake to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. To counteract the intense amounts of sugar, Shreann made oatmeal for breakfast.
And then there was cake. Rebekah thoughtfully asked why a leprechaun doesn't come to our house in Indiana. I suggested maybe they don't know where we live? Texting about it with uncle Michael later, he gave me the perfect answer: they only come where green is needed; Indiana has lots of green, St. George not so much.
After cake we made lunches and headed out to Pioneer Park. It was a glorious experience.
I marveled at the different rock details and formations.
The girls lead Rebekah to some fun cave like structures.
My knee is so much better but still pretty week, but I wanted to see more so Shreann took it easy on me and helped me climb. I loved the view.
Eventually Rebekah came up to see us and I forced a picture. She's squinting into the sun so it's a not very good picture but it's all I have so....
Claire is quite the explorer.
I wanted to see more so we left the girls with a promise that they would stick together in some fashion.
Shreann lead the way and I followed. There were a few times I stopped to let people behind us go first but most people were kind and even tried to help me. Although it made me feel somewhat old, I was grateful for the kindness.
Eventually we made it to the top. I didn't know if Rebekah would be brave enough to make the climb so I took this little video.
Then I asked Shreann to take a picture for me.
She said the other side was just as impressive so we took that one too. This is me showing how strong I am since I was able to make the climb.
This was the toughest part of the climb. It was relatively steep and there was quite the drop to the right. Going up was a lot easier than going down - because of my knee but also because of the steepness.
I continued to be in awe of the formations. Pictures don't do it justice.
Loved the tunnels and crevices.
This precariously leaning rock was fascinating.
Shreann suggested it was God's way of giving us photo ops.
One handed.
I had to admit by this time my knee was somewhat yelling at me. We came back and had our lunch and then it almost killed my insides but I stayed behind.
Me watching them go and trying my best to be okay with it.
They spent another hour or so out in the park but finally made it back hot and tired.
Bless Shreann - she took pictures for me!
Looks like Rebekah did make it up to see the view. So proud of her bravery!
Love these girls!
This one especially!
We eventually drove back home and took it easy the rest of the day. I noticed with a happy heart that I would indeed be taking a little of St. George back to Indy with me: love the red sand!
