National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Today was the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, so we thought it would be perfect to visit the Freedom Center in Cincinnati.  Of course, so did 300 other students from Columbus :)  We still had an amazing time- it was educational, enlightening and inspiring.  
There was so much to see and absorb, we easily spent 3 1/2 hours there, and could've stayed longer, but head to head home to get Ellie. 
We can't wait to bring Ellie and Rob back to learn even more!

We each used individual ipods, which the kids were very excited about,and programmed the number at each station we visited.  This quilt was a beautiful story told of slavery through pictures.

 There were poems, letters, and quotes displayed all throughout the museum- we were touched by so many. 

 This was a Slave Pen, a 177 year-old building discovered on a farm in Kentucky and donated to the Freedom Center.  It honors the memory of all those who were enslaved. 

 The girls were experiencing what it was like for this slave, Henry "Box" Freedom, that traveled in this box in order for him to experience freedom.  We were excited because we had actually read the book about him!

 This was the kids favorite parts. It was a safe house where they listened to their ipods and they had to choose a hiding spot and then it would walk you through the pros and cons of each place, then tell you if you made it or if they were able to hunt you down.

 I wish this turned out better, it was a poem that was displayed on the cellar steps that talked about how scared, dark and wet it was, and how they prayed the were with a slave conductor, and not a slave catcher. 

This was a movie- pretty scary and very realistic, which made you feel as if you were really there!  You developed such an apathy of what the slaves went through to risk the life of freedom.  We will not take our lives for granted for a long time!  It was a very humbling, revealing, shocking, inspiring and emotional experience.  You can get an app if you visit www.freedomcenter.org.

Can't give it up...

Just when I think I am going to let go of another thing I selfishly love,  I realize how much I love documenting what's going on in my life, and don't want to give it up just yet.  It only takes a few minutes each day, I can do this, and I want to!  This summer, though, I want to look into blurb, which will not only blog, but turn it into a book for me when it is "full."  When life slows down a bit, I will look into that.  I am the old-fashioned kind of person that still loves the idea of holding a book in my hands, whether it is a scrapbook or a book I'm reading for enjoyment.  Now that we have our ipad, you would think I would go digital and read my magazines and books on that.  My dear friend, Nicki, just told me she read  a book on her phone.  Guess I need to get with the program...  Anyhow, here's what's gone on with our life for the past month or so. 

Emily working on a drawing in our co-op

Mrs. Morales teaching our kiddos how to become an artist...

Drawing a still-life using light and shadow- it's harder than it looks!

Erika and her model brain

Making a neuron chain

Erika and her doodles on the driveway, one in each box- cheers up these gray days!

Erika took this of our hydrangea just getting ready to pop up...

The girls' creations...

Robby and I were able to go to the Bahamas for 3 days as a Rewards Trip for his work- The most amazing place!  I am so in love with that man.  :)

The girls made cake pops- Erika's newest obsession- she follows the Bakerella blog...  need I say more?  Erika writes occassionally on her own blog, check her out- I follow her, just click on her link off to the side of my blog

Our favorite place to take a break- Manna Cupcake, down by the train in Lebanon.  YUM, mini cupcakes.

                                                              Sadie checking things out...

Our favorite place, Montgomery Inn- we took the girls to the Boat House and had an awesome view by the window... perfect way to start out our spring break!

                               Ellie's lost both her top front teeth and I could just eat her up!  Too cute!