Saige

Olivia saved every single penny (Christmas money, birthday, Easter, allowance, etc.) for a year to buy her own American Girl Doll.  After much deliberation she chose Saige.  For a week she has asked me if her doll came, or if I think it will be here tomorrow.  Yesterday it finally arrived.

She's so happy about this.  A year and a half ago she won the Kanani doll at our library's raffle, and now she saved up for another.

This morning she warned me not to mess up Saige's hair!   

Tonight we talk about putting some money in the bank, and giving some away again.  That is hard for my kids to learn, but they did it, and they'll do it again.  They don't get to spend every dime they make.

NO Coffee

Say What???????  

My doctor (who may or may not be evil) told me that for the next MONTH I am to have NO CAFFEINE.  It hurts just to type that sentence.  She is trying to see if my blood pressure will go up (I know, hate me) a little because she "claims" that I drink too much coffee, keeping my body in constant dehydration.  I only drink it twice a day.  Don't ask how much twice a day because you'll probably move over to her side.

So, you see this gorgeous huge mug?  That is my coffee mug with a tea bag in it.  It is so wrong to see it this way, kind of like a monkey riding a horse. Yesterday was my first day without coffee and after the kids got on the bus in the morning, I fell asleep on the couch for nearly an hour.  Then I went to bed at 7:57pm last night.  I'm better today.  Only 29 more days to go before I see her again and she can tell me I can drink my coffee again....or not.

Biography Breakfast

On Thursday Joseph's 3rd grade class held a Biography Breakfast.  Each child had to choose a famous American, complete a report on this person, and then dress up as the person.  It was a riot!  

Joseph is standing front and center wearing a bow-tie and holding a light-bulb.  A dead-ringer for a young Thomas Edison.  
His class was made up of all kinds of fascinating Americans:  Norman Rockwell, Paul Revere, Amelia Earhart, Christopher Columbus, Alexander Graham Bell, Betsy Ross, Anne Frank, Helen Keller, Squanto, even John F. Kennedy!!!!  and many other greats.

All of the parents had to go around the room and ask each "famous American" some facts about themselves so that we could guess who they were.  There were two classes participating, so it was a lot of kids!  We were given a sheet with names and we had to place each person's number next to the name we guessed.  Lots of them were hard!  Everyone had a great time and the kids were really proud of themselves.  This is such a good little school.

Monument Valley & Mesa Verde

On our way to Colorado, we cut through a corner of Utah so we could drive through Monument Valley.  Awesome is too simple a word. Also, these photos make me realize that either my camera has no ability to pick up true color, because this place is ORANGE (a really nice orange), or I don't know how to use it correctly (this is probably the true reason).

***Warning:  driving through Monument Valley is a nightmare for people who get car sick.  Up and down, up and down---you have been warned***

Mesa Verde National Park near Cortez, Colorado:

Just like the picture in my 6th grade social studies book, only I got to be in it and touch everything (only where we were allowed to)!!!

The Pueblo people lived here about 1,400 years ago and built their homes into these cliffs.

We were told this particular staircase built into the mountain is at least 700 years old.  

We also had to use ladders to climb out.  

Climbing into a Kiva (a ceremony room, or a living room)

Go.  You won't regret it.

Vacation Part 3: Sedona, AZ

If you're looking for Part 2, I haven't done it yet.  Sedona is more visually stunning, so I have to go with that.  Part 2 is a history lesson.

SEDONA:

I know.  Amazing right?  So much beauty there.  You literally can't take a bad picture there if you tried.

Joseph took this photo:

We did this super-fun Pink Jeep Tour that took us through some parts of the mountains.  Two of the best hours we spent during this entire trip.  We all loved it.  This jeep below was the jeep behind us.  Not sure if you can tell from this photo how steep some of the mountain road trails are.  On this particular road we were literally being held in by our seat-belts.  

Vacation Part I: Grand Canyon, AZ

The photos don't do this place justice.  At all.  It is enormous and absolutely stunning.

This place is so amazing, I told the kids they must come back here with their own kids some day.

They say the Colorado River (below) is responsible for carving out this canyon.  Hmmmmm......  it looks so innocent.

These Juniper trees were all over the place.  I love them.

These two became Junior Park Rangers by completing some little tasks.  Too cute.  They got a pin and a badge for their efforts.  They also had to say an oath stating that they will always help take care of National Parks and tell people to visit them.  

Look at this view!  It's from the Bright Angel Trail that we went on.  We went down very little into the canyon.  Don't look down.  And don't go down with a 7 year old that you constantly have to tell, "Olivia!!!  Stay AWAY from the edge!!!  Walk by the wall!!"

On the trail:  This is also the trail the mules take down.  So the Brady Bunch was here.  That's why it's so famous.

Below: Me:  walking back up the trail as far away as possible from the edge.  Who's idea was it to go down into the canyon anyway?  (not mine!)  BTW, it was chilly!!

We had a great time here.  We took 2 different bus tours offered, getting off at every stop, we went on a couple of trails, we drove around, and we even got to watch a Native American Dance.  It was awesome.  Unfortunately we were specifically asked not to post photos on-line of the Navajo, and I believe in karma, so I can't show you any here.  But come on over & you can see them!

Today

Homework and a spin top...