February In No Particular Order

Is it better to have one giant entry or several smaller ones?  I don't know but I am opting for giant today.  I spend most of my time with Daniel now that he is home schooled so most of the pictures I have are of him at some event we attended.  I love the others too, just not as many photo opportunities.  I can't get the photo below to move so the report is above.  

Sarah and Daniel and I attended the World Cup Long Track Speed Skating event today at the Olympic skate arena in Kearns, Utah.  To say it was awesome is an understatement.  Sarah really is enjoying herself, she just didn't want to smile in this picture.  

They were the only kids in our section at the beginning so the guy throwing stuff threw it all to them.  Daniel even got a T-shirt.  Jacob didn't want to come and miss school so they picked up a few things for him too.  The bleachers were right in front of the ice and so we really felt part of the race.  We were sitting right behind the entire German team and it was fun to hear them talk.  We even got to see Shauni Davis compete and he is the world record holder in the 1000 and 1500 m as well as the first African American to win an individual gold medal.  Pretty awesome.  Sarah is studying Black history this month in school but she was too shy to meet him.  He was standing next to where we were sitting in the bleachers just after the race and she stood there and stared at him the entire time.  He noticed her but wasn't quite sure why she was staring at him so intently.  He didn't understand her internal struggle. 

 Up next, a fun video of Daniel juggling.  He is actually pretty good. 

 I can't remember if I have posted this picture but Daniel and I went to the State capitol.  It is such a cool place and while there we remembered it is where Robert Carpenter works!  He met us for lunch and toured us around the back rooms where all the important people work.  It was very cool of him to take time out of his schedule.  Thanks Robert!  

 On another day, Daniel and I returned to the capitol to sit in on a committee meeting for SB65.  The resolution would provided further funding to enhance virtual education for high school students.  As I listened to the presentation I wasn't convinced they had a well written bill.  The woman behind be coaxed me to testify before the committee and tell them my thoughts.  I turns out the woman is the President of the Utah Education Association.  She liked me and gave me her card and asked me to contact her for anything I needed.  Who knew?  It was such a rush to be at the capitol.  I love teaching my kids about how the government works too.

Daniel and I were able to attend a partial showing of the ballet "Sleeping Beauty".  I wasn't sure if he was going to like it but we both enjoyed it and discovered there were parts of the ballet that were taking too long.  Apparently, Daniel and I are more alike than I thought and we both have a hard time sitting still for very long.  It was a wonderful experience and lunch at P.F. Chengs after was fun too.  Daniel and I have enjoyed some really fun outings since he started with the Utah Virtual Academy. 
Other events this month include a Valentine's Day party at our house for some other home school friends.  It turned out to be very fun and when the other two got home from school they joined in as well.  We decorated sugar cookies, played find the hearts, and made old fashioned valentine's.  Daniel even gave a little lesson the history of Valentine's Day! 

Daniel and I went to the Hill AFB Aerospace Museum this month too.  It was so cool to see all the aircraft.  Daniel learned about flying airplanes and about the history of the planes used in all the wars.  Daniel also got to fly a couple of the simulators they have in the kid's explore section.