That is what I thought 3 of my 4 children would be chanting when we decided to go to Colonial Williamsburg for vacation!
I was assuming we would have to threaten the stocks and pillory in exchange for their good attitudes.
Or worse, put them in the public jail.
Or maybe enlist them in the army.
Instead, we found that they actually enjoyed doing some of the chores they would have done in the 18th century ... stomping in the mud to soften the clay to make bricks, grinding the salt in the kitchen, washing the dishes, carrying firewood, and feeding the animals:
 |
| making bricks is dirty work |
 |
| cleaning up was almost as much fun as stomping in the mud |
 |
| and she complains about loading the dishwasher! |
We found that the kids really enjoyed playing the games of the 1700's:
 |
| Ethan found his way to the center of the Governor's Palace maze! |
 |
| the ipod of the 18th century! |
They loved the 18th century attire.
They also enjoyed dining in the historic taverns and trying some of the foods that would have been served in the 1770's.
 |
| Dinner at Shield's Tavern |
 |
| singing and games at Chowning's Tavern |
 |
| hot chocolate at Carleton's Coffeehouse |
 |
| Kings Arms Tavern for lunch |
 |
| Hannah sucking on a licorice root stick |
Of course, they enjoyed traveling like they would have in the colonial days!
Their favorite thing to do was RevQuest: Save the Revolution! The kids donned special purple bandanas to become secret spies -- they received their aliases from the Committee of Secret Correspondence, they met with special agents and envoys throughout the city (identified with purple ribbons), they enciphered and deciphered messages, and delivered a special communication to a courier headed to London.
 |
| being a spy is thirsty work! |
 |
| getting our secret orders and our next mission |
We all had the chance to participate in a courtroom trial, to witness the canons being fired in preparation for battle, to march with the fife and drums, and to immerse ourselves in the culture of an America which is very different than the one we live in today.
 |
| Mommy even got to be a juror! |
 |
| OK ... |
 |
| so maybe, just maybe ... |
 |
| there was a little boredom during the trial!! |
 |
| checking out the colonial kitchen |
 |
| learning how papers used to be printed |
 |
| watching the carpenter do his work |
 |
| learning about the drugs of the 1700's |
 |
| announcing a debtor's auction |
 |
| the really, really cool blacksmith |
Just in case you were worried that we were all education and no play on this trip, we did do a few 21st century things as well ...
 |
| Fruit Loops on the "lanai" |
But, as much as the kids liked swimming in the pool, I would venture to say, they liked time traveling back to the 18th century just as much!
