Christmas Vacation

Funny thing… I was sure I had posted about our holiday.
Turns out I hadn’t.

I was really looking forward to Christmas vacation. Shawn got a huge chunk of time off, and my mom was coming to stay with us, so we planned a mini-vacation. We took a couple days and drove up to Virginia to visit Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown. It was a ton of fun! And cold!

First we visiting Colonial Williamsburg.

Walking the streets is like stepping into the 18th century. Everyone is dressed in colonial clothing, and speaks like they are authentic colonists, it’s wonderful! You are literally stepping where great men like Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Patrick Henry actually walked. We even got to hear a speech from Thomas Jefferson. It was inspiring.

I love everything about this city. So much so, that I think I may have been born in the wrong era. And cold or not, the kids had a great time too. I mean, look at these faces…

Just a few of the fun things we did:
Get put in the stocks for bad behavior

We learned how to load and shoot a musket (aka stick)
  

Then learn to march (Shawn was proud that he already knew how), and order the cannons to be fired.
I couldn’t get a clear picture because the shots vibrated my entire body, they were frightening.
 

We toured the shoemaker, millinery, apothecary, printer, jeweler, courthouse, jail (and a lot more, but I know you’re bored with my list).
Reagan got a little bored too. She actually fell asleep while on Shawn’s shoulders. How is that possible? It was cute, and a tad dangerous.

We learned how to play old games, like trap-ball
  

and hoop-and-stick

The kids made some food in the kitchen… beef marrow and apple pie, yum!

Here we are in front of the Governor’s Mansion. Reagan’s head is bowed because she is asleep… while standing. I don’t know, she may have been tired.

1 day wasn’t enough to explore everything, but we got a good feel for what it was like to live during this time of our Nations history. So fun!

That evening we went over to Shawn’s cousin Kim’s house. She lives literally blocks away from Colonial Williamsburg (I may be a bit jealous). It was so kind of them to invite us over for dinner (which was delicious, by the way). REALLY kind, especially since my boys almost destroyed her play room. I thought they were going to fall through the ceiling. I’m so sorry Kim. It was nice to catch up after all these years, and I regret not taking a picture.

The next morning we visited Historic Jamestown, and the reconstructed Jamestown Settlement. Fascinating! Seriously, I was interested before, but now I am obsessed.
This is the site where 104 English colonists created the first (successful) settlement in America in 1607. You could safely  say it is the birthplace of the United States. John Smith and Pocahontas both lived here. But of course, they didn’t marry. Why do you think Disney corrupted that story? I wonder.

 

Shawn, in a church, walking on the buried bodies of the colonists.

We had a very informative tour by John Rolfe (the real husband of Pocahontas), and walked around for a while before heading to Jamestown Settlement.

This was the best part of the trip… based on the enthusiasm of my kids! Grant couldn’t stop touching and exploring everything, and Jefferson was asking the workers so many questions, I thought we’d never leave.
Jefferson got all the detailed information on how to build one of the “yehakins” so he can make one of his own. Looks easy enough.

 

Look, my little Powhatan children, making themselves right at home.

Reagan and my mom, grinding corn

Next we explored the 3 ships that brought the colonists: the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery.
 

and we learned what they ate, how long it took to travel, and most importantly, where they went to the bathroom.
Shawn thought it would be great fun to lock me into the kitchen. It was about the size of a closet and included a bed. I couldn’t cook for all those men in a sardine can. I admire that cook.

In the fort we were able to see the earliest American houses. Mind you, there were no women here at the time, only men… so they were more like barracks then homes. 
 

In the church, the kids practiced giving sermons. “Faith, it is believing in something you cannot see. It is good. You should have it” – Jefferson. The other visitors laughed. It was Jefferson’s own Jamestown missionary moment.
 

The boys learned how to play an old card game similar to Blackjack, in front of a warm fire. The settlers were only allowed to play cards and gamble during the 12 days of Christmas. A factoid for you.

And the best part, trying on some armor.

 

You’ll be able to see me here, in this exact spot, after I finish reading my book about Jamestown. I am going to become an expert and work as a docent here. It might be my new dream job…. mine and Jefferson’s.

I’m so glad we decided to go on a mini vacation. I think everyone enjoyed themselves.  Sadly, this is the only picture I have of all 7 of us this entire Christmas…. at the foot of John Smith. Oh well, when there’s a stranger offering to take your picture you don’t complain.