An 18th Century Visit

The boys and I have been studying Early American history for the past two years.  We started with Leif Erikson in the year 1000 AD and we have made it all the way to the pioneers moving steadily westward!  A family friend very generously gave us their time share to use in Williamsburg this past weekend.  Our excitement over this colonial history wrap-up was made even more perfect by the Casler family being able to join us!

We arrived at the very large Powhatan Resort late Friday night.  The boys demonstrated an extremely high level of excitement at seeing the condo that would be ours for the weekend.  It was a lot of fun to watch their enjoyment, something I remember whenever I arrived somewhere new and exciting from my own childhood.  Eventually, after every cabinet and door had been opened, explored and exclaimed over, everyone settled down and went to sleep. (I am sure the neighbors were only too glad.)

The weather did not fully co-operate for the weekend, with rain all morning Saturday and cold all morning Sunday but we were still able to enjoy all that Williamsburg has to offer.  We visited the shoemaker, the blacksmith, the tinsmith, foundry, and candlemaker.  Monday morning was truly perfect weather and we were able to visit the cooper (Eli had really, really wanted this one all weekend but was ultimately disappointed in the whole trade) and cabinet maker and palace kitchen.  In addition to all of the trades, we were able to participate in the Marquis de Lafayette's rousing speech to his troops before they marched on to victory at Yorktown in September 1781!  Some people in our small party (large, male adults) started a crowd pleasing 'boo' upon the Marquis mentioning  of the traitor Benedict Arnold.  With a heavy French accent the Marquis responded to these 'boos' with, "Yes, express your opinion!"

Searching for hiding places

Sunday evening we ate at Kings Arms Tavern and had an enjoyable colonial dinner with a yard square napkin to 'make ends meet' and a minstrel to lead us in a chorus about Stewball the racehorse.  It was a fun evening with our own 'boy races' in the Duke of Gloucester street to relieve an excess of energy from our practice of polite manners throughout dinner.

I was so pleased with how much the boys participated and enjoyed all of the historical experiences of Colonial Williamsburg.  Zach decided he would like to be apprenticed at the foundry.  Eli's favorite was the kitchen at the Governor's Palace and the Magazine.  Marcus liked the palace maze and the 'Spaghetti House' and the 'White house' (or Geddy and Wythe houses).  Of course the Drums and Fifes parade is always a hit too!

We wanted to see Jamestown and Yorktown also, but in the end, after three days in just the Colonial Williamsburg part we (meaning-- Marcus) felt that we had seen and enjoyed enough.  So we returned to the 21st century and home.    ***photo credit goes to Krista**

Spring Portraits

Zach

As winter has drawn to a close and we are having more and more days of an early spring, the boys are continuing to make great strides in their school work.  Not only are their academics coming right along but this year we participated in an art class every Wednesday afternoon.  I have particularly enjoyed their recent self portraits!  Even Marcus managed to create one with some minor help.

Marcus

Eli

In March this year we also made our annual trip to visit the Nelson's.  This year while we were there, we took a tour of a maple syrup farm and enjoyed sampling their product along with a huge pancake lunch!

A Big Hungry crew!

The Green Mountains of Vermont!