Too Funny

Sometimes kids say the most funny things.  We have been reading about the oregon trail, and the famous people that are known for establishing it.  Today we touched upon Lewis and Clark.  I asked my kids if they have ever heard those names mentioned before.  All of their little faces lit up, and they said...Ya!!  We have heard of them!  They are on Superman!! HAHAHA!  I had to laugh at that one.  I told them, no.  It's LEWIS and Clark, not LOIS and Clark.  I love it when they come up with stuff like that.

We have been attempting to follow along with the Westward HO journey.  I think that it is just too much for my young children.  I have resorted to just reading stories about the Oregon trail, and since we live in Oregon, I am able to explain things better to them.  I was able to explain to them the story behind the city of Astoria (named after a famous fur trader from Germany, John Jacob Astor) since we vacationed over there last summer.  I was also able to tell them the story behind the naming of the Columbia river.  Grandma and Grandpa gave the kids an old brick that says columbia on it, and I am assuming that it is from the area by the columbia river.  We also were able to get some information about a couple that came over on the Oregon trail that settled in our area.  Back in 1922, a Lady named Sarah Helmick donated her land to the state to be used as a state park.  The park (which is just outside of our town) is name the Sarah Helmick State park. Mr. and Mrs. Helmick are both buried in the cemetary in Monmouth.  We may take a trip to both the park and the old pioneer cemetary.  Some of this may also be over the kids' heads, but I am LOVING learning about the history of our little town and county.  I do look forward to the day when the kids will be able to research and get more into all of this kind of stuff.  The day when superheroes aren't the main focus!  haha!