Thursday night Eric, dad and the 2 big kids went to get cousin Sophie at the airport. Even though we checked ahead of time Sophie was on a ghost flight with no information. Needless to say, she wouldn't arrive until 1 am! So dad and Eric and the kids went to the WAWA (like a 7-Eleven) got some snacks and listened to a sermon :) and waited! They arrived home around 2 from Norfolk and the girls talked until 3 am. It didn't stop them from waking up at 6 ready to go for the day. We went to Busch Gardens again. This is such a great time to be here. There are no crowds at all and the weather is wonderful. It was only 76 today. We viewed all of the animals. There were wolves, and strange birds, and many other animals as well as an animal dog and cat show. The little ones loved that. Actually we all did. I never thought you could train a cat and they had. Gabriel sat perfectly through that show the whole time. That is about the only time he will sit still. He hates the stroller :) and wants to walk everywhere. Something else fun that happened is that there was a basketball game you play against the clock. We watched all these young guys try and win over and over. Finally, Eric asks dad to try. We were all laughing thinking he wouldn't do it. Well, he did. And he won and made 6 of 8 baskets. The kids were very proud of their Papa and other people watching were cheering him on. It was pretty special. It is a beautiful park with tons of nature to look at. We were very tired when we got home and everyone when straight to bed after Eric made some huge yummy sub sandwhiches and watching FOX news :)
Today we woke up and switched condos. This one we will be at for the rest of the time. It is smaller but so beautiful and very nice with wonderful beds, dishes, and the facilities are great for families. There is free mini golf and family activities that are free as well through out the day. But we only checked in and headed 2 miles away for Colonial Williamsburg. Our tickets began today. It is a special time for homeschoolers and the cost is almost free. I can't tell you how wonderful it is for the children and we barely scratched the surface.
We arrived and received our tickets and headed to the working farm in the town. A black woman greeted the kids and asked the older kids to define slavery. It was very interesting hearing their responses. She then demonstrated through taking their purse, backback etc. How slaves were an "item" owned. She also taught us some new things about slavery. It is really hard to hear. Her family acutally helped changed laws in Virginia against black years ago. She was amazing. Dad and Eric asked her lots of questions. She gave a history lesson that no book could have done. All while in full costume on a real working farm. She spent about 45 minutes with just us.
The kids then made candles. It took a long time but they enjoyed it. They do everything just like you would have done back then. We then saw men working as carpenters squaring trees using axes only. All staying within the time period.
We walked a 1/2 mile or so to the town and viewed the Governor's Palace. Talk about beautiful woodwork and a garden that was beyond words. It was so pretty. After that we all decided we needed chocolate and walked to the candy store and then caught the shuttle bus back to the entrance. We will go again during the next week as our pass works for 5 days. You just can't take it all in there is so much to see and do.
We just finished dinner and the girls are making cookies and all the kids are journeling. They want to go swimming but we are calling it a night. We are so grateful the Lord has allowed us this time as a family and also seeing to learn hands on. It truly is a different world when you look at all the history through the "real thing".
We will post photos tomorrow. Hugs to everyone.
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