Fry bread, berries, jerky, beans, corn, squash AND they get to dress up. What a fun way to learn about the Anasazi & Inuit tribes.

One of my favorite activities other than the yummy food was the  “story book skin” they were able to make.  What a creative way to show how they were able to communicate with each other.

My dear friend, Stefani and her husband did a fabulous job in the pioneer homestead, telling wonderful stories of those days long ago.  The kids also got to pan for ‘gold’, make a toy from that period,  create a potato stamped quilt square, experience what a class room back then was like, make a dipped candle and lastly make a punched metal ornament.  What an amazing experience for this 2nd graders.  History and learning was never this fun when I was in school.  

The day ended with a dance that the children learned.  I must say I was very impressed with all of the kiddos.  Gillian and her partner, “A” were so precious-you can tell they both had fun but they were also very serious.  ;-)  I must share the video – hope you enjoy it as much as I do. 

She melted our hearts for sure.

My cute little Native.

My third grader just participated in Native American Day at school.  I was even able to spend the day with their class and help out. They had five stations with different activities at each one. The station I helped out with was the one in Mrs. S’s classroom…the fun one. Shhhhh.

I was able to help out with the food. A bunch of us got a sampling of Native American type foods prepared for the kids to taste. We even got to make Fry Bread, which along with the beef jerky seemed to be a hit! The kids also got to decorate beads (seeds) and make a paper doll and a few other fun activities. It is amazing how elaborate the costumes get the older the kids get. This is one area that I really need help with, I am so not a costume coordinator.

Silly Boys

Cusine

Good Buddies!

First Day of School August 2010

Today marks the day that both of my babies leave our nest for seven-plus hours. Does not even seem possible!! As sad as it is for mommies, it is sure a blessing when the kids are excited to go to school full-time.

Today my Gillian woke up super duper early-for her. She went to bed last night afraid she would over sleep and reminded us that since she does not have an alarm clock that we needed to wake her up.  At 6:00 AM she skipped to our room and said, “mom,dad….I woke up early on my own!!!……is it time to go to school yet?”

She is in great hands.  I am absolutely thrilled with the teachers that they both got for this academic school year.  In just a little over an hour I get to pick them up and hear all the chatter about their day. LOVE that!

Dear God, can you please not let these next few years fly by too fast……please? ~amen.

Gillian & Mrs. Bull

Hayden & Mrs. Stephens

]]> https://www.csrussells.com/2010/08/19/huge-milestone-for-the-russell-family/feed 3 https://www.csrussells.com/2009/05/06/little-london?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=little-london https://www.csrussells.com/2009/05/06/little-london#comments Wed, 06 May 2009 17:18:28 +0000 http://www.csrussells.com/?p=604 Colorado Springs was known as “Little London” in the early days. Much of the money raised to build General Palmers railroads and the city of Colorado Springs came from English investors. In turn Colorado Springs residents became quite “British”, carrying umbrellas, celebrating English holidays, playing cricket and enjoying afternoon tea. At one time there were over 2000 immigrants from Great Britain living in Colorado Springs. With them they brought their famous English fashions, meals, cookbooks and raised their children with English nannies. The Colorado Springs Police Department called their policemen “bobbies”. This all added to the “Little London” atmosphere. ~S.Conn

To wrap up their studies on our beautiful state, Colorado. Gilli’s teacher arranged for the children to experience a real tea. The children all dressed in their ‘Sunday best’ and were paired up boy-to-girl. Each young boy took the hand of his partner and carefully guided her to her spot at the table. Then the boys were taught how to pull the chair out for their lovely ladies and seated them. The conversations all had to be low and very polite.

Each child was served tea with lumps of sugar and a spot of cream. They were served by the other mom’s there and could not eat until everyone had been served. (Whoa..love that this is being reinforced!!). Napkins in lap, I was blessed to be the mom at Gillian’s table to experience this with her.

By the end of the tea, it was very obvious that these lil Brit’s were on a sugar high. The boys had a tough time waiting for their partner to finish their tea, scones and fruit, but they did it.

I just love this picture of Gillian. I could just eat her up!!!

You really cannot even tell that we struggled to get an outfit together. The braids were the perfect touch. We just added a neckerchief to a white shirt, jeans and boots. Viola!!!

Gillian shares the love of horses with her Nana Orton and seeing her dressed like this just melted my heart and I am sure her grandma will love this picture. I do hope that one day Gillian will be able to care for and ride a horse of her own.

I have to agree little one!  Gigi’s Kindergarten teacher treats her classes to a special pumpkin patch field trip each Fall.  It isn’t just any ole pumpkin patch mind you.  This pumpkin patch is grown with love, just for Sue’s classes.

Nestled in a quiet neighborhood in town, Farmer Don grows lots of pumpkins for his daugthers classes. Not only do the children get to go pick out one of these orange beauties but they also make pumpkin pies, play games, play in leaf piles and eat pumpkin pie.  It was a treat for me as well as one of the parent volunteers.  What a fun experience, the entire morning was just a perfect Fall day to remember.

My boy a big first grader??  (sniff)

What a blessing that my first born LOVES school.  He is just an amazing child and student.  We are so proud of him.  Cheers to a great year sweet boy, we are so proud of you!

My little peanut had a major growth spurt in the last six months.  From March to August both H & G grew 1.5″.  I knew it had to be a lot when the G’s pants were all suddenly 2 ” too short.

Now my baby is in school, part-time.  I pray that she will love it as much as her big brother does.  G, we are so proud of you sweetie pie.  We pray that you will have fun this school year.