Battleship Texas

We toured the Battleship Texas (https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/battleship-texas) today. It was commissioned in 1914 and at that time it was the toughest weapon in the world. It was quite interesting. 

San Jacinto Monument

We toured the San Jacinto Monument (https://www.sanjacinto-museum.org/Monument/) today. Lexi will get extra credit if she writes about this for Social Studies. Jordan used the visit for the citizenship in the nation merit badge. 

Holocast Museum in Houston

Miriam has been studying the Holocaust in school lately. Her English teacher offered extra credit to anyone who went to the museum in Houston, brought back a ticket, and wrote a short paragraph on it. I have been wanting to go to a Holocaust Museum for years, but didn't make it and then worried that it might be too much for my kids to handle. This was the perfect excuse. I warned my kids about what they could see and told them to stick close. We also invited our friend, Avery, because she is in 8th grade too and is learning some of the same things. 

I was impressed by the museum. The subject matter was tastefully displayed and even the architecture of the building was designed to invoke thoughts and feelings. The most difficult pictures were in trays on shelves that took a little more effort to see, so it would have been easy to pass it up if desired. At the end of the tour, I wanted a picture for a memento. Miriam, of course, decided that it was much too difficult to smile in a place like this.  

Remember the Alamo

Today was Martin Luther King, Jr. day. The kids had the day off of school, but I had to work. Fortunately for them, Grandma & Papa are in town and offered to take them to San Antonio. They had a wonderful time at the Alamo. Both of them will be talking about this for months and any time the topic is brought up in the future. They got to see the bullet holes and hear the stories. Lexi and Jordan noticed that Papa got a little choked up during one of the stories about the battle. I told them it is great to feel history and sympathize with the people who experienced it. 

Grandma and Papa also took them to the River Walk. I love that place and all the fantastic restaurants along the banks. 

History & the 1600s

As we walked Lexi home from school today, she started talking about the 1600s.  She is learning all about that time period in social studies.  When we got home, she pulled out her crayons and paper and sat on a barstool at the counter.  She started drawing like she usually does.  This time, however, the theme was the 1600s.  The above picture is a family in the 1600s.  The below picture is a village.  She told me that everyone had to build their own houses.  As you can see, they had dirt roads and fences.  It is neat to see kids so excited about learning.  

San Diego's Old Towne

We went to Old Town this weekend. Of course, most Mormons know that the best parking is at the Mormon Battalion. It is a decent parking lot & it is free. It has also been newly renovated, so we went inside to watch the new movie and pan for gold. During the tour, Lexi volunteered to put on the equipment that they had to carry in their walk across the US. Later, we headed over to one of the many Mexican restaurants.

Lexi's Perspective on Today

This morning, I had the Today show on while we ate breakfast and cleaned the house. I took a few minutes to explain to Lexi that we are getting a new President today and that his name is Barack Obama. Here are some of her funny comments:

“Yeah, Rock Obamie!”

I pointed out the huge crowds and she said, “That is a lot of cheerleaders!” Then later, “Those aren’t cheerleaders, mommy. They have flags.”

She constantly asked me who different people were. When I pointed out George Bush, Sr. She said, “Just like George the monkey.” (a.k.a. Curious George)