Splendid May

"The world's favorite season is the spring.
All things seem possible in May."
-  Edwin Way Teale

 We started this beautiful and tender month with a bang.  Both of my boys won 1st and 2nd prize (Jefferson and James respectively) in their pack's Pinewood Derby.  I wasn't able to attend, but from the comments I heard they made a name for themselves. My friends astonishingly said that my boys kept winning every race, and the only time one of them lost was when they raced each other in the end, and even then the difference of time and distance was very minute.  I was proud of both of them for coming up with their own model shape, for sanding those cars for days, for painting them, and taking care of the details all by themselves.  When a few friends asked what was my secret of having these boys be excellent in all they do, I just said that I demand the best effort, and both Elijah and I work hard alongside each of them to accomplish their best.  No magic, just time, energy, hard work, and encouragement.  I've noticed these past months when I haven't had the energy to give it all as a mother, they haven't given all as kids either.  Thank goodness, I've got Elijah who, as busy as he has been, has tried his hardest to compensate for my part.  Raising good children requires work from both parents, because they each play a different role in those kids' growth.

The reason I wasn't able to attend my kids' Pinewood Derby race was that I was helping out with a baby shower for our friend, Hillary.  And good thing we threw her baby shower when we did, because she gave birth to a beautiful boy just a few days later.  Next in line, my blond friend Tara, who also is expecting a boy.  So far from all the 9 ladies expecting these next months, I'm the only one expecting a GIRL!

All my kids are very happy to have a little sister, but Gillian is way more excited.  She keeps talking to the baby in my tummy, so, according to Gillian, when the baby comes out she will recognize Gillian's voice and love her forever! 20 weeks and counting.

The kids finished with their last California piano evaluation, the National Guild of Musicians.  They had to memorize 7-10 pieces, play them beyond well, paying special attention to rhythm, notes, dynamics, etc.  When Gillian, who was last, came out all three kids yelled: "Yes, no more mom saying 'dynamics, children, dynamics!"  The judges were pleased with their work, and I was glad it was just over.  Now, one more recital for the school year, and we will welcome summer happily!

Charlton also had his own graduation to celebrate.  He finished his two month swimming session with flying colors.  He loved swimming, playing with his friends, and diving into the water.  While he swam, I would socialize with my friends always wrapped in a towel because for some reason where we sat was always windy.  On the last day, Gillian begged to take a picture of me in my usual attire - glasses for sunshine and towel for the cool breeze.  Don't even try to understand the temperature fluctuations of a pregnant woman's body.

I also finished teaching art for this school year by closing with Charlton's favorite artist, Monet.  I even brought him with me, and sure enough he was the best and most attentive student there.  James's teacher rewarded him with a donut, because he was unbelievably good.  The kids painted with watercolor, tempera, and acrylic.  They used sponges, paint brushes, and I taught them to paint like the impressionists with several colors at the same time without mixing them, just dipping their brush into one color at a time and then painting.  It was the hardest project in the whole year, but their Monet gardens were beautiful.

Charlton was also invited in Mrs. Pike's annual Oregon Trail field trip.  I'm the school photographer, and James's teacher really wanted me to record these activity, but she didn't want me to be worried about babysitters for Charlton, so she invited him along.  Plus, she loves this adorable child of mine.

The field trip once again was amazing, but what made this particular time even more enjoyable was the brotherly love I kept seeing from my two boys.  They were always together, holding hands, or arms around each other, or helping one another.  I just about died seeing them so close and happy, and what a great example to the other kids. 

The various activities in this beautiful experience included walking and stopping on different parts of the Trail, and learning about those pioneers, trading with Indians, being ambushed by other Indians, burying and remembering the loved ones, learning to cook, clean, wash, make handy things, play pioneer games, and their favorite, digging for gold - we are after all in California!  My favorite, however, is always the Virginia Reel dance with my beautiful blondie leading the way.  What fun!

And here I thought May was going to be slow and lackadaisical, but don't let sweet aromas of the flowers, and bluest sky deceive you.  As Emerson says: ""What potent blood hath modest May."

Oregon or Bust!

Jefferson's teacher organized the best field trip today.  She had all the kids dressed in pioneer clothing, the girls in dresses and bonnets, and the boys in vests, hats and bandannas.  The students had learned about the Oregon Trail and the reasons many emigrants walked the long trail from Missouri to Utah, Oregon, and California.  They had made little wagons and studied the route that those settlers took.  Mrs. Pike, Jefferson's teacher, had made signs on specific stops during our route to represent the major landmarks of the Oregon Trail, such as Chimney Rock, Fort Laramie, Independence Rock, Scotts Bluff, and so forth.  The children were fascinated by the experience of pretending to be early settlers, gold prospectors, and homesteaders, all the while listening to their teacher explain the various important historical sights.

 

 One of Jefferson's favorite stops was the trading post, Fort Laramie.  Their teacher, with the help of her husband and sister-in-law, had set shop in front of a house and were "offering" various souvenirs for trading.  The kids were given each a couple of flour and sugar packets (each representing 2 lbs) to trade with the Indians.  They were able to purchase a variety of necklaces, arrow heads, dream catchers and other Indian items.  The kids were all very excited.

Another favorite event that took place during our "trail" was the Indian ambush.  As their teacher was telling them about the dangers and the hardships of walking through treacherous areas, a few "Indians" attacked us.  The "settlers" were scattered around from fear of getting hurt.  Most likely, the Indians wanted their horses, but since they didn't have any, peace was established.

 I have to say my favorite part of the trail was seeing the kids take this activity so seriously.  When Mrs. Pike stopped at a green field with a few crosses in it (placed beforehand by her husband), she spoke to the children about the trials that these pioneers encountered on their way to more land, freedom, or a better life.  In many cases those dreams were paid with loved one's lives.  The children were really touched.

After much walking, trials, and hardships, our little band of wagons and excited settlers entered the Oregon territory.  It was time for celebration.

After eating some snacks, the kids were divided into groups of five and each group was assigned an activity that pioneer children used to do: making button dolls (using the doll's buttons when yours got lost or torn), drilling holes to make lanterns out of cans, painting mats, and panning for gold. 

After the hard work, the children ate lunch, relaxed, played games, and just had a great time pretending to be pioneer children.

 

In the end, all of us parents were treated to a beautiful surprise.  All of the kids arranged themselves in lines and danced the Virginia Reel for us.  Jefferson started the dance with the rest following.  All of those fun dances around the house with my kids sure did pay off.  He danced beautifully and behaved just like a gentleman.  I loved it.  Enjoy the pictures and the video: