Drew had her first ever field trip and they went to Cedar City's Iron Mission Museum. I was in town and met her class there to help chaperone. I surprised her and she was SO incredibly happy that her mommy was there. The kids learned how the pioneers made string into twine and twine to rope.
And even had a hand in making it.
Then we Round Robined over to the candle making station where the kids were able to make their own candles by dipping a wick into wax and then water.
Then we went over to the ... other station where the kids where told the story about the mormon crickets and California Gulls. In short the Pioneers planted crops and thousands upon thousands of crickets started eating all their crops. They prayed and the Lord sent Seagulls to come eat all the crickets. So the kids learned that the California Gull is Utah's State bird and they were able to color some birds and hear the different calls of birds native to Utah. My favorite is the Meadowlark!
The last station the kids learned that the pioneers had not running toilet, no running water, and every time they moved they had to build a new house! YUCK to all of the above! I seriously would've died!
Drew had so much fun with her class and I was so happy I was able to go!
I can't believe how big she is getting and how much more she understands and how much more I need to teach her. She has been asking very adult questions lately and I have no idea how in depth I should answer her or not. I wish there was a book for these types of things. So for a little prelude we've been watching Heroes and she's been awed by these peoples powers and abilities and also we attended a funeral today of a mom of one of Drew's classmates that decided she wanted to return home to Heavenly Father. So our convoy's have been going something like this lately:
"Mom P (her friend at school) said her mommy killed herself."
"Oh she told you that?"
"Yeah she said she didn't like herself. How did she kill herself?"
"I'm not going to tell you Drew."
"Did she put fire on her?"
"No don't ask!"
"Did she cut herself?"
"No!"
Etc. till I finally told her. And AMAZINGLY she came up with a lot of realistic things that I had no idea she even knew about but surprisingly she didn't guess the one till I told her. Don't think I'm a bad mom but when she was guessing these things and wouldn't stop I figured she was old enough to know. More Convoy's
"Mom how are we going to die?"
"I don't know Drew."
"Who is going to put something in us to make us die?"
"NO ONE!"
"Well when are we going to die?"
"I don't know. Not till we're old!"
"But you're old!"
"No I'm not old. Grandma's are old!"
"When you're a grandma are you going to die?"
"Probably but that's a long ways away. Don't worry because we'll be with Heavenly Father!"
She thought for a second
"Where's heaven? Is it in the sky?"
"Sure!"
"When we die how do we get there?"
"Um... we float there?"
"Like with powers?"
"Yeah!"
"Does Heavenly Father have powers?"
"Yes!"
"I want powers!"
"Then you have to be a good girl."
"Is that how Heavenly Father has powers?"
"Yup! He was good when he was like you and so now he has powers."
"I'm going to be good so I can have powers! I want to make things dance like the stove and the fridge."
:)
"Mom does P's mom have powers?"
"I don't know Drew."
"When I see P's mom again I'm going to give her a big hug!"
I was holding back the tears then. At the funeral we started singing the opening song and Drew asked me if we were singing for P's mom. I told her yes and she started bawling. Music really moves her. I don't know why it surprises me how much she understands. It's not just that she understands what's going on but she understands the emotions of everything. She then saw her friend P come in and they gave each other a big hug. P sat with us for a couple of minutes. Asked if her mom was up by the pulpit then she made her way up to her family. Drew wanted to go with her but I wouldn't let her. She then started throwing a fit and became like a lip noodle. We ended up leaving during the eulogy because Drew was being so irreverent but I think it was her emotions that caused her to act the way she did. Drew is only 4 and that was her 3rd funeral she's been to. How sad.
This post started happy and I'm sorry it got sad and serious but I felt compelled to write our conversations down for memory purpose. I hate not know what I should and shouldn't tell her so don't judge. I'm still learning!
