Violet Flower, the Pioneer

Annabelle has developed a love for the pioneers! It began when her cute cousin, Paige, became a cast member in Merrill Osmond's Youth Pioneer Pageant (a production my sister and I performed in years ago). Annabelle looked up to Paige and wanted to be in the show so badly! Because I had also performed in the show, I started telling Annabelle the story of the pioneers coming west. I began teaching her all the songs and even the dances. My mom tracked down a DVD of the show, and we watched it together numerous times, doing the dances together in the living room :) She fell in love with everything about it, mostly the pioneers themselves. When it drew closer to showtime, I stopped by White Elegance to choose an apron and bonnett for her; she wore it non-stop and would ask her friends on the playground to play "Pioneers" with her (this meant they had to walk around the playground singing "Pioneer Children sang as they Walked." It was so hilarious and cute! We also checked out several children's books and rented a DVD from the library about the pioneers--she loved them all! One day while sitting in the playroom, I overheard Annabelle having story time with her dolls; she was telling them the story of the pioneers :) I asked her if I could write her story down as she talked--she was super excited about that! Here is her story:

"The pioneers have built our land. They planted and built, and they created the city for me. I am so grateful for the pioneers who created the city. The pioneers have created the cities and planted the trees and the leaves and the flowers. And God sent some beautiful animals: butterflies, birds, bunnies, and elephants, and giraffes. And cats, and people. The pioneers have planted the growing stuff, flowers and leaves, trees, and roses.

The pioneers had to cook on fire. And they had to plant for a lot of minutes. They walked to America. They had to walk sometimes, and sometimes they were in groups called wagon trains. The pioneers had to build and plant, and work, and build houses. They made beds, and when they were done, they would go into their houses and make bread, carrots and butter. They would cook these over a fire. A Pioneer would also kill wild animals and would always take care of their families when they were hurt. Some pioneers would have parties and dance, some would go to church and talk with the bishop. Some would go to school, some pioneer children had to go to school.

Some pioneer children traveled west. They walked to America and they planted and built houses. Pioneers would always cook over a fire. They took little breaks and walked. Sometimes they made shoes and clothes for their whole family. Some children had to ride in wagons because they were hurt. They played and sang and danced."

The End

I think that's pretty good for her age! Here is "Violet Flower," our little pioneer.

She wore her apron and bonnett the Sunday prior to Pioneer Day