Home with Sick Kids Today

Saturday October 27, 2007

Today is the second day we have had to take it easy. We were suppose to be out of town this weekend with friends to a cabin nearby. Sadly, we had to cancel yesterday. All of our three little ones are fighting sickness right now. A lot of it is due to the unhealthy air we have been breathing as a result from the widespread fires throughout Southern California. The smoke is thick and disgusting. Even though it is not black as in nearby San Diego we can still smell it here. All week we have had sinus headaches and watery eyes. Our two older kids have had high fevers. God willing this should pass soon as well as the terrible smokey air soon.

Here are some pictures from a field trip we went on Thursday. We went to a nearby California Mission, the San Gabriel. This is our third Mission our family has toured. This one was special because it was led by a docent in the company of friends.

The San Gabriel Mission was founded in 1771. It was the fourth Mission built along the California coast. For those that aren't familiar with the California Missions. California was once owned by Spain as well as many of our states today in the southwest. Spain had also owned what is today modern Mexico. Spanish explorers came here in search of valuable spices and later gold to bring back to Spain. Years later Spanish priests were sent here to convert native Indians to Catholicism and to teach them Spanish and Arts and Crafts. Missions were built with the Indians help for the Priests to travel as well as the trading of goods. There are 21 missions in all.

I wasn't able to get a picture of the inside of the church. The lighting was too poor. I did manage to get a picture of the baptistery. The copper bowl that is shown here was a gift from Spain in 1771. It is hand hammered and it is still used today. The small hole off to the right corner is where the holy water left from the baptistery is eventually drained through an underground aqueduct. Our docent mentioned that holy water must be properly disposed never just dumped out. The flooring is original as well. It is the same flooring once stepped upon by the friars and padres of long ago.

This is the tanning area located in the large courtyard. Traders and buyers traveled by ships from the east coast to the US to purchase leather and leather goods from the Missions of California.

There are four large cisterns in the courtyard that were used to make candles and soap. They have a total capacity of 2,686 gallons. At one time the San Gabriel Mission supplied soap and candles to most of the other missions.

After touring the courtyard, extensive historical museum our group ate lunch. My daughter, Coco complained that she wasn't feeling good. Little did I know that all the children would be sick in bed the next day. I hope all of you stay well during this cold season. May God bless you with a great week. Next week we will be building a California Mission model as well as learning about the Natural resources from our state.

The books we read this week are:

-The Ballad of Lucy Whipple by Karen Cushman

- California from Exploration to Statehood by Edna Ziebold

-San Juan Bautista by Allison Draper

-G is for Golden by David Domeniconi