On the Road Again...to Williamsburg

What's a road trip without a little car trouble?  We hadn't yet left the driveway when we realized one of the cars' batteries had died.

 The two "Slacker Vans" finally made it to Colonial Williamsburg to meet up with the "Nerd Van" people.  Colonial Williamsburg is a full-sized town that has reconstructed homes and businesses true to the 18th century (Revolutionary War) time period.  Isaac, Charlie, and Abby are checking out the map to see where we should head first.

Isaac learns to play "Shut the Box" an adding game every 1st grade classroom should have.

Charlie and Isaac practice slate writing. 

Baaa.  Pastoral.  

The brick maker explaining his work.

 The kids have a go at colonial clay-mixing, a step in the brick-making process.

Only 50% of the kids fell on their bottoms in the clay.  100% of the kids at least washed their feet of afterwards in the colonial foot bath.

The cabinet maker was building a spinet (harpsichord).

Trying out a completed harpsichord. 

Abby at the well.

Baaa. Pastoral.

The book binder.  

I wish so badly I could bring my grandmother's leather-bound copy of Alice in Wonderland here to get repaired.  My stupid dog chewed the binding off when she was a puppy. 

The blacksmith was making nails, but Isaac and Daddy found the gun box.

The wig maker's shop. 

We learned the origin of the terms "blockhead..." 

...and "big wig." Wigs were a status symbol: the colonial Mercedes.

Waiting for the show to start, the kids got a lesson in fort building from a local. 

Isaac, always the individual, made his own, complete with a flag.

The 7-part show begins with the colonists talking revolt against the king. 

 During part 3, I warn the kids that there may be some gun fire but that it's not real.  Charlie says, "You know, I'm not even afraid of guns."

We checked out a little early from part 3 and headed to the cannon near where part 4 would take place. 

Master Luke and Mistress Ellie joined us for part 4.

Benedict Arnold proclaiming that the Revolutionists have failed and the King of England has met all their demands.  His men hoist the British flag behind him at the colonial capital.

Isaac (along with the other kids) occasionally paid attention in spite of himself.

But mostly he ignored the speech-maker and continued fort building.

After part 4, some of us (Slackers) decided we had had enough of the speeches.  We found the gaol (jail).  Isaac is here seen demonstrating the colonial jail toilet while Abby puts Daddy in chains. 

Then we found a cool log to play in/on until the rest of the group (Nerds) joined us for dinner at the Tavern.

 Pirates.

The Tavern was a culturally immersive dining experience. 

Colonial bibs. 

A barrel of beer.

Lessons from our Mistress Tavern Owner on how to properly tie a bonnet.

A revolutionary minstrel.

Famous fried chicken. 

Quite the meal.

 

There was a little run around time after dinner.

Ellie was my adorable bus partner for the short shuttle ride back to the visitor's center.

Colonial kids.

Luke organizing his revolutionary army while the grandmas and moms finish their shopping.

"The Red Coats are where?"

We arrived early enough at the hotel for Abby to enjoy one of her edible souvenirs (from way back in Lookout Mountain, Tennesee).

While Isaac and Luke put to use Isaac's new Williamsburg souvenir, strategizing on where the Revolutionary soldiers should go.