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.  

The World Museum of Mining

This afternoon, we experienced something unique; Papa took us to the World Museum of Mining.  The best part was going on the underground tour.  The tour guide came from a mining family and he was a minor in his 20s.  At that age, he realized that mining was bad for your health.  He announced that he was going to college in the evenings.  His dad laughed at him, but he did it.  He became a school teacher and took an 80% pay cut in the process.  Lucky for us, those 2 career choices made him an excellent tour guide.  Not only did he know all about mining and the dangers, but he was a charismatic guide.  Lexi found everything he had to say very interesting.  Here he is helping us put on our gear.  

Getting ready to go in

Stepping into the old elevator

Papa helping to demonstrate the oldest way of mining

Listening to sad stories of the ways accidents happened and the hardships experienced

More modern mining using dynomite

Teaching us about "Tap 'er Light" one of the many sayings the miners used to remind each other about safety

Ready to take her gear off

Touring the grounds of the museum

Elevator where 14 men would cram in to go down to work or come back up

Climbing up the headframe (aka tower) - these things are all over Butte

Mining town replica

School

School yard (included an outhouse)

Old time car with bullet holes

Picture of our amazing tour guide

Doll collection

On the way home from the museum, we stopped off near the "M" for Montana Tech.  The kids wanted to hike to it since they had so much fun hiking to the "Y."  This one was a lot easier though.  In fact, we just watched them.  I took a few pictures of the surrounding views.  

View of the World Museum of Mining

View of Butte

 Climbing the the "M" for Montana Tech

Children's Museum in Houston

A friend invited us to go to the Children’s Museum in Houston. He has an annual family pass, so we got to go for free. It is a fairly large museum with lots of fun activities.

Lexi the Vet

Water Fun


Making Waves

Baby Chics Hatching

Face Painting

L.A. Tar Pits

Grandma Margie had yesterday off (Presidents' Day) so Papa decided to take the day off too. They wanted to go to L.A. to see the tar pits. Unfortunately, I had too much work and I had to take my car into the dealer to get some work done. They offered to take Lexi with them. As you can see, they had a great day. Lexi came home talking about saber tooth cats, bones, tar, etc.













Faces