A Day at Rose Hill School

 On Monday May 23rd we had the pleasure of visiting the historic Rose Hill pioneer school in Perry, OK.  It was such a privilege to be able to take part in such a reenactment!  Our daddy was able to take part in the same experience when he was in 4th grade in Perry.  To top it off, our Great Great Auntie was born in Perry in 1910.  She has lived there her entire life, and even attended the school.  BabyGirl thought this was so special and couldn't wait to take part herself.  We spent several weeks preparing for our visit to Rose Hill.  A couple of weeks before we went we received a large crate full of time period items for the children to use.  They got hands-on experience with many items and were able to share time with each other as they did.

Here is BabyGirl hand washing a shirt with some lye soap, a washboard, and some well water.

They watched a short DVD to prepare for the journey back in time.  Notice the chickens in the window watching the children.  :)

 Here they are all practicing the game "drop the hankie".  They had so much fun!  It's a game that is similar to duck duck goose.  They just howled with laughter and loved every minute of it!

 While the big kids played their game, Little Man wandered off after the chickens.  Cluck, cluck.

 Here is an action shot!

 Finally, the big day arrived.  Here are the children lined up outside the school.  They were in 2 lines, boys on the north and girls on the south.

 They started the day off with the Pledge.

 This was the original curtain in the school from 1910 with local business names on it.

 Miss Rupp is giving the penmanship lesson.  Here she is showing the push-pull method.

 Miss Rupp   May 23, 1910

 practicing penmanship

Little Man was outside checking out the old farm equipment with Daddy.

 BabyGirl answering a question from Miss Rupp.  She was asked how many quarts of green beans she helped her Ma can last summer.

 Orthography lesson

 Ciphering lesson

 Class photo

 Time for lunch and recess!!!

 The children loved the flying Jenny most of all!

 trying out the stilts

 Even Daddy gave it a go

Little Man was absolutely perfect the whole trip.  He was so happy to be outside playing.  Here is one of the new faces he does lately.  It's the "surprised" look.  :)

 Another game of "drop the hankie".  Glad they got some practice!

 playing with marbles...

 Oklahoma history lesson

 lining up for the spelling bee

 Here is BabyGirl running back into the school after banging her slate rag clean outside.

 Lining up at the end of the school day to cross the time bridge back into 2011.

 What a day!

 Here are some lemon snaps we made. The recipe was out of the 1910 Perry Cookbook.

 A day we will never forget.

We had such a wonderful time and cannot wait to do it again next year!!!  By that time we will have a year of Oklahoma history under our belts, and maybe a few more friends to tag along!

Now for a few videos.  The first one is of BabyGirl hand washing her shirt. The second is of her peeling an apple.  The third is of the children riding the flying Jenny.  Enjoy!!!

Our Spring 2011 Family Vacation!

Well, we had our first Branson Vacation as a family of 4!  We had been looking forward to it for weeks!  We had a wonderful time.  The weather cooperated beautifully.  Little Man behaved like a little man.  We got to spend some much needed time with The Greats.  Lots of memories were made.  Here are a few...

To start the festivities I got some new boots!  My birthday happened to be the Monday of vacation week.  My Bo took me to get this pair of boots that I have been wanting for ages.  I cannot thank him enough.  I love them, and they are SO comfy!!

 The same Monday BabyGirl was invited to a birthday party for one of her very best friends.  They were treated to a day at the spa!  Here she is getting a hand massage.  She had just gotten a facial...

 Here are all the girls awaiting their next treat...

 Next, she got a pedicure!

 Then came the manicures!

 Gorgeous little fingers and toes!!

 To top it all off they got to get a treat from Cherry Berry!  What a birthday!  We love you, Chloe!!!

Before you knew it...it was Wednesday!  On the road again!  Here we are on the turnpike...

 Here is a picture I took to remind me to let you all know that an aspirin in the belly button will cure car sickness.  (thanks, Sara!)

 Here is Little Man in our cabin for the first time!

 BabyGirl always has to run and jump on the bed!

 THIS was his favorite part of the cabin.  He would play in the fridge forever!

 Bo playing guitar...

 Me and my BabyGirl

 Our feet...

 Here is Little Man at The Greats house.  He is thinking...."hmmm...this seems so familiar!"

 Loving on Grandma the Great!

 Playing with Pappap the Great!

 My birthday cake!

 going through gifts from The Greats...

 He loved this turtle!

 Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!  Take cover!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It's KING KONG!!!!!!!

 The Titanic.  We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the museum, so here are some from the outside...

Our first glimpse of SDC!!!

 So glad to be back!

 The flag raising ceremony.

 This is in front of the working homestead.  Look at the sign....donated by the Levi Casey family!

 Uh oh!  Someone was caught!

Like mother, like daughter....

 A free pony ride!

 The ship of doom!

 A ride on a lady bug!

 This was his favorite part!  The balls!!!!!!!!!!!

 That's what we get for lollygaggin'!

 A ride on the elephants!

 The frogs are just plain fun for ALL ages!!!

 Lost river with daddy...

 on our way back to the cabin...he was crashed!

 A quick clean-up...then....BINGO!  BabyGirl won a Missouri cook book!!

 Me and Little Man at BINGO

 Daddy and son on the race car...

 playing games at Cracker Barrel...

 Ma and my sunshine!

 Helping with dishes at Grandma's...

 That cake was GOOD!

 So happy together!!

 BabyGirl playing with her keepsake horses bought at Dicks Five and Dime...

 Little Man playing with his birdie keepsake from the flea market!

 Both kids playing with Daddy's keepsake....a fart detector!  That thing is FOUL and FUNNY!!!!!!!!

After we got back home it was time to recuperate.  We went to Rose Hill on Monday (coming in a post tomorrow) then, we were able to relax.  We got lots of chores done around our own homestead, including adding more rows to our garden.  Here is our original row of peas.  They are doing fantastic!!

 We added 3 rows of tomatoes.  We have 4 different kinds.  We started them all from seeds following the almanac over a month ago, and are hoping for a good bounty this year!!

 Here is BabyGirl enjoying a nice afternoon ride on Smokey.

 Here is Little Man helping with some yard work.

 Sitting on the slide...

 Now, THAT's why that critter seemed so familiar!

 nothing like a nice swing...

 So cute!!!!

 Helping daddy with the tools!

 BabyGirl's garden ornament from Pappap the Great.

 Our elderberry baby from The Greats

 Here are our other elderberries growing happily. 

 The cutest siblings EVER!

 Here is a picture of our boarding passes for the Titanic.  All I can say is that if you are in the Branson area this is a MUST!!  We were all given names of people who were actually on board the Titanic.  (Little Man was a French Bulldog)  Throughout the museum you look for pictures of yourself, artifacts you possessed, etc.  At the end of the museum there is a wall with all of the names of everyone who was on board.  If your name is underlined, then you survived.  It was such a great experience.  BabyGirl learned so much, and was completely engrossed for over 2 hours.  We will do it again, for sure!  There are many artifacts, pictures taken by passengers who got off the stop before the incident, scale models of many things off the ship, and so much information to absorb.

 And, last, but not least....here is my 'lil Bub.  This picture was taken the day I graduated, May 16, 1995.  He was so excited to wear my cap and gown.  Now, it's his turn.  This Friday he will be graduating high school.  Then, in the fall, he will be attending OSU on full scholarships.  I am so proud of him in every way.  Congratulations, Bub.  I cannot wait to see you fly.  I love you.

Now for a couple videos...the first one is of Little Man in the ball pit at SDC having the time of his life!!  The second one is him dancing to James' performance on the Idol finale...he was dancin'!!!  Don't forget to pause the music before you watch the videos.