Colonial Williamsburg-Part 2

Wikipedia Definition:

  The motto of Colonial Williamsburg is "The future may learn from the past". The Historic Area is an interpretation of a Colonial American city, with exhibits including dozens of authentic or re-created colonial houses and relating to American Revolutionary War history.  Rather than an effort to preserve antiquity, the combination of restoration and re-creation of the entire colonial town attempts to re-create the atmosphere and the ideals of 18th-century American people and revolutionary leaders. Interpreters work and dress as they did in the era, using colonial grammar and diction.

This was our second trip to visit Colonial Williamsburg. The last time we visited Atley was barely 4 and Nash was about 22 months old. I blamed their ages on the horrible time we had and was so excited to go back. I love history. I love learning about the daily life of people in Colonial times. I was especially excited to see the city decorated for Christmas and as much as I want to write about how wonderful the whole visit was, I would be lying if I did. The kids were bored, including my husband and Granny. I think I am done trying to make my family like Colonial Williamsburg. Next, time I go alone! It wasn't all bad, but it definitely wasn't the memorable learning experience I had envisioned. Here are some highlights!

After getting oriented at the Visitor's Center guests can walk or take a shuttle to the historic district.  We chose to walk because only walking will get you to Great Hopes Plantation.  A small working plantation.  A slave explained how the farm was more reflective of the way most Virginian's lived in the 18th century.

When we first arrived in the historic district the Marquis de Lafayette was speaking at the Governor's Royal Palace. He was fantastic. He told tales of how he became involved with the American Revolution and how he became great friends with George Washington.  He was very animated and the kids listened pretty intently during his 20 minute speech.

Behind the palace was a maze of hedges that the boys got lost in for a few minutes until their dad scared the heck out of them when he popped out of the bushes.

Harley loved the horses. Nash enjoyed the British flags and Atley liked climbing on any and everything he could find.

I wish I could have a pair of these built in the back yard.

Nash bought a tin whistle at Prentice's Store and tried to teach his sister to play.

The Powell house is especially designed for children to gain some hands on historic experience. It was our last stop of the day. Nash helped make a currant cake.  Atley made a scent pack for his drawer.  They learned how colonial children were taught and played a game or two of Shut the Box.

We left with a bang when Nash leaned or climbed on an antique table and it came crashing into a pile on the floor. Everyone was really nice about the disaster.

Thanks family for indulging me on yet another trip to Colonial Williamsburg. I know that it was cold, way too much walking, and a little boring. I promise not to force you to have fun again, at least not for a day or two anyway.

Williamsburg Part UNO

On the 17th we took off for a few days to Williamsburg, VA.  Thanks to my brother and sister-in-law we were able to stay in an awesome resort.  Of course, everyone was a little tired after the birthday party.

I love this picture of Granny and Harley. Their personalities are very similar!

Our first day in Williamsburg was spent mostly in and/or on the water. We spent the morning playing in the pool with the kiddos

Of all the fun things we saw and did while Granny was visiting, she said that watching the kids swim was her favorite because of how happy it makes Atley.  He loves to swim and he excels at it, which makes it fun for everyone.

We drove down to Norfolk and took a cruise around the Naval Base. The kids were in heaven seeing aircraft carriers, destroyers, and even submarines. 

Nash's Birthday Extravaganza

Only Nash would agree to wait an extra day to open his presents and celebrate his birthday just so that his granny could be there with him.  He is patient like that and when I have more time I am going to write a bunch of the other things I love about this little guy!  Granny flew in on the 16th of December and after picking her up we went to Don Pablo's for Nash's birthday dinner. Quesadillas are his favorite food so it was absolutely perfect.

He hugged all the waitresses after the song and then apologized for not being able to speak Mexican which was a little embarrassing!

After dinner we went to ICE! at National Harbor-a huge tent filled with extraordinary ice sculptures and slides. The theme this year was Merry Madagascar.

 

Above is Nash sliding down one of the ice slides and of course to everyone's shock and later applause we sent Harley down the slide too. It was sooooo cute and a little hilarious.

 

Finally, it was time to go home and actually open the presents he had been waiting for, for what seemed like 9 years according to him. Nash had a British themed birthday party because of his obsession with all things English.

It is hard to believe that he is five years old and I already get weepy when I think of him going to kindergarten next year.  I love you Nacho!

Crafty Christmas

One of my favorite things about Christmas is making stuff!  Stuff for other people, stuff for my house, stuff for myself, stuff with my kids, and of course stuff to eat.  Anywho, it seems like this year there has been no time for anything like that and I miss it.  So, I walked away from the laundry and dirty dishes for a day and I made some stuff.

My friend showed me how to make these paper stars. I hung them over my kitchen table and I think that they are lovely. I didn't take pictures while making them but I found an almost exact tutorial in blog land if you want to make some too. I am thinking about spray painting them after Christmas so that I can leave them up all year long!

Every year we go through the pain and drama of family pictures.  While, the pictures usually turn out okay, I don't know if they have ever been worth the money, tears, or the suffering.  This year we took our own pictures in the back yard.  I am certainly no professional but I think they turned out pretty cute.

They are all saved on my computer and I haven't had time to have any professionally printed but I did Mod Podge them onto some cheap 8x10 canvas that I found. I love the vintage look it gave the photographs.

How do you do it?  Cut some tissue paper a little larger than your printer paper. Place the tissue paper on your printer paper and tape down the excess tissue paper onto the back of your printer paper. Run it through your printer and then peel off the tape. Put a very thin layer of Mod Podge on your canvas and carefully lay the tissue paper on top. That's it!

 

To make the JOY sign I just Mod Podge some wooden letters with Christmas paper.  I also put a little card stock under the bell to make it stand.  For the tree in the back I used a Styrofoam cone. I cut strips of paper, glued the ends together and starting from the bottom began gluing them to the cone.  For each row the strip of paper should be a little smaller. For the star on top, I made a miniature version of the stars above.

For my grandma's this year I embroidered these geography pillows. I saw them for sale online for about $30 and thought I could totally do that for a whole lot less. I hope they LOVE them as much as I do.

For Scott's birthday we made him a Butterfinger cake. Yes, the kid's and I sampled it before we gave it to him. Sad, huh?  But, it looked so yummy we lost all control. 

Here is the recipe:

Yellow Cake Mix

1 Can of Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 Jar of Smucker's Caramel Ice Cream Topping

1 tub of Cool Whip

4 Butterfinger Candy Bars

Bake the cake following the directions on the box.  While still warm poke holes in it and pour on the condensed milk and caramel topping. Let cool completely and frost with Cool Whip.  Then top with crushed candy bars!