We had a wonderful Spring Break trip to Mississippi.  We began our touring with a stop at the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN.  The kids were fairly interested and I think it will make Martin Luther King, Jr. Day each January a bit more meaningful.  The museum is in the hotel where he was shot and there is also a portion in the building across the street from where James Earl Ray shot him.  

We celebrated St. Patrick's Day with Marin and Tracey in fine style shown here.  The kids thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Marin and finally warmed up to Muzzy on the last day in Meridian.  

On Wednesday, we drove to Vicksburg, MS to tour a civil war era city plantation house and the Vicksburg National Military Park.  This photo shows a cannonball that is still lodged in the wall of the house.  

Here we are touring the military park, looking at where the Confederates shot at the Union Army from one hill to the next.  

We returned to Meridian and celebrated Katie's #8 birthday and finally getting to see Uncle Boog.  

On Thursday, we toured Uncle Boog's Naval Air Station.  We all got to fly in the simulator and try on his flight suit, along with visiting his office and eating at the base bowling alley.

We were able to hang out and chat with Boog and Tracey and catch the beginning of the NCAA basketball tournament games.  

On Saturday, we hit the road early and visited a former working cotton plantation - Waverly, in West Point, MS.  Then, up the road a bit, we stopped to walk around the campus of Ole Miss, in Oxford, MS.  A grand time and wonderful way to get a flavor of the South.  Only thing that we missed was a true taste of the South - grits, collard greens, and fried chicken.  Maybe next time!

At the end of March, Annie was honored at the University of Iowa for her test scores on the Explore Test, an 8th grade level test.  She also was able to recognize a teacher and she chose her Independent Learning teacher, Mrs. Houseman. 

Last Thursday, the Middle School performed their rendition of Going, Going, Gone with the Breeze.  John was one of the mannequins in a costume department; he was a caveman and one of his friends was a leprechaun.  

Finally, last night, we survived a birthday slumber party for Katie.