We are Back...

After spending the entire day Monday in the hotel doing nothing but watching television, playing video games and going to Whole Foods to get some of our favorite foods, we are back in business!

We welcomed Zaza to our big adventure Monday evening and kicked-off DC with a private night tour of the monuments and our Nation's Capitol. Before you get too impressed the additional charge was minimal for the six of us to have our own driver and tour guide and be picked up at our hotel. It didn't matter how loud the toddler tantrum was - our family was the only ones that had to endure it.  (There was no time for Zaza to get acclimated she had to jump right in). 

We saw the Vietnam, Korean War, WWI, WWII Memorials, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, White House, The Capitol, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, Pentagon, Arlington Cemetery, Washington Monument, and everything in between. We heard great stories and history on each while deciding on our  own time when to get out and when to drive by. It was a great overview of the city and start to our DC trip.

Today I successfully got four children and one grandmother on the Metro from Old Town to the Smithsonian. We, and the rest of the summer vacation crowd, enjoyed the Air and Space Museum - think lines like Disney World. We had a great lunch and time at the Native American Museum with no lines, great food, and a wonderful area for children on the third floor.

After letting the boys run around on the Mall, we headed to the National Art Gallery and ended our day at the Natural History Museum. There was total disappointment when we found out the dinosaur exhibit is closed for renovation, but all was right in the world once we hit the gems and minerals exhibit. A rock lovers paradise!!

We ended our day with everyone making the Metro back to our hotel. The energy level for the younger folk is definitely back. Hoping to find a way to bottle that for the 39+ crowd!

A kids view

Hi I'm Adair. I want to share with you my points on Williamsburg. Well actually mostly the governor's ball. We were all really excited to get there. We went to a tavern for dinner.  Once we were done me and Robert sparred with wooden toys. Crowds gathered around taking pictures. I guess no one heard the Hancocks were in town!

We put each other in the stocks and pretended to decapitate each other. Even Eliza commited a crime worthy of the stocks! 

We saw a long line at the governors palace and knew it was time to go in. We enjoyed learning how to do the pleasantries that you do at the beginning and end of each dance. The people who ran the ball did a couple of dances first. 

Then they started picking people to dance, too. They would tell us what to do and then we would go over it and do it to the music. Everyone in our family except for Bradley danced at the ball including Eliza. No one had to ask for me and Robert to dance they could tell we wanted to. I danced probably three times. Every dance but one had at least one Hancock in it. 

When mom danced  Eliza  could not stand the thought of mom dancing with anyone except dad. It was a hour long but felt more like 10 minutes . I wish we could of danced all night. I was having a great time even though I couldn't get my lefts and rights right. I wasn't too good but neither was anyone else so I was not embarrassed. 

It turns out that no matter what the age of the man it is still hard to talk to him. What am I supposed to say to a man who asks me if I danced before because it seems like it? Anyway after what seemed like 10 minutes the ball was over.

I have to say I wondered the whole time if you were supposed to wear a sun hat to the ball. Robert danced so many times they started calling him Master Robert. What about a title for me? Mrs. Adair. No more like Lady Adair. 

By the end of the day I could see why so many people work at Williamsburg. Guess who found a college summer job! Even though you don't get paid much it is an awesome experience. Most likely that is. I hope that many more people get to come and experience the same fun. Including you.

A Little Reinforcement

I'm not going to sugar coat it. Today was tough! It's a miracle that I still have all four children as each one of them did their very best to make today hard.  I was no innocent bystander barking (a polite way to say yelling) at them and pretty much convinced it would be best to just park the car and walk away. I certainly gave them plenty of ammo for future adult therapy sessions.

Exhaustion for all of us hit like a brick wall today!

We pick up ZaZa at the airport tomorrow. No one should take on the sights of DC without backup especially if you have been with 4 children for 11 days by yourself.

The day did end nicely thanks to a sweet friend and my SIL's mother, Sue Conklin. Sue welcomed us to her home with open arms, great food, LEGOS, and lots of love and smiles. It was like chicken soup for the soul and made a really bad day end on a really great note. Thank you so much!!

We left Sue heading to Alexandria. Everyone is in bed looking angelic. It almost makes me forget about today and remember yesterday when we were all smiles loving each other at dinner and laughing while we danced at the Governor's Palace.

Not really! Though I do love each of those children to the moon and back!

Here's to a fresh start tomorrow. 

Lesson Learned: It's okay to call for reinforcements!

Sneak Peak...we will have a guest blogger tomorrow - Miss Adair!!!!

Dreamers, Idealists, Rebels and Loyalists

What a whirlwind the past two days have been! We arrived in Williamsburg on Wednesday and took the night off so we could rest up for our big adventure. The five hour trip from Charlotte included a series of videos called Learn Our History that gave the kids a good overview of the Colonies, Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution.

We were ready to start bright and early on Thursday. In reality, getting four kids up and out meant we arrived at 12:30 to the Visitor's Center acting like wild animals. It was the first time in 8 days that I thought perhaps this might have been a bad idea. The woman behind the counter promised it would get better and that today would be fun. We headed to the costume rental -  as Adair has been counting the days till she could re-live Colonial life -  to find out we were too late. It was closed for the day. Nothing like a tween pout at the bus stop to kick us off.

We jumped on the bus (and I praised God that you could roll a stroller on) and spent the next 45 mins riding around Colonial Williamsburg as I misunderstood the name of our stop. We finally realized we were to get off at Capitol. We entered Colonial Williamsburg to be front row for the reading of the Declaration of Independence. It was wonderful.

Two blocks in we discovered Mary Dickenson's dress shop and pretty much three days of my budget went to clothes for the kids. It was magical as their attitudes changed as soon as they were children of the 1700's. We strolled the streets and took a carriage ride soaking in the smells, flavors, and sights of Williamsburg. I have to admit that it felt a little like the first day at Disney World when you are having fun but really don't know where you are going and how to enjoy the place effectively.

This is where all four children could have spent the morning. Thankfully everyone turned around by the afternoon!

Our only family photo so far this trip. Where is Bradley? Our day ended with all four kids being recruited for the March to Yorktown.

 

 

We had one Loyalists in the family. The rest were Rebels waiting to take on the British at Yorkstown!

 

Today was our favorite day. We spent the majority of it in Jamestown. We learned about the Powhatan Indians, life in the Fort, and step foot on a re-created ship that sailed to Virginia in 1607 to establish the first permanent English colony. 

 



Everyone enjoyed removing the animal hair to dry the hide.

Bradley was ready to protect us in James Fort. He has been searching for a militia uniform rather than the Colonial wear of boys. A true rebel and idealist at heart!

Adair was a pro at carrying the water. She also thinks going to William and Mary could be pretty darn cool since she could hang in the Triangle. I see a summer job in her future ;)

We can't even imagine living on a ship this size for 144 days. It really makes 32 days in a minivan seem like a luxury! Best part of Jamestown is when Robert sniffed out the nachos and declared that Jamestown had the best nachos in the world!! I have to admit they were delicious!

The day ended in Yorkstown. Everyone loved the Continental Army Encampment and the demonstration of the artillery firing and medical practices. Historic Yorkstown is adorable. I have visions of renting a house here one summer.

The highlight of the day was learning about Celestial Navigation and how to steer with the stars, take a noon sighting, and an actual example of how algebra can apply to everyday life (well at least in the 17th century).

Lesson Learned: My four children include a dreamer, idealist, rebel and loyalist. Today will be one of the best memories I have from their childhood.

A Big Shout Out: I do have to give them a shout out for putting up with my intense history course. They have only read books about what we are seeing, played Colonial games and instruments - we now own a jaw harp, and immersed themselves in history. No one is asking for electronics or begging for TV. (Until nighttime when I turn them on so I can enjoy a glass of vino!).

Trust in Jesus

I have to start with life's lesson today. We had a great time in Atlanta - so much fun that I made the decision to stay longer and drive at night to Charlotte. Bad idea...rush hour traffic may be worse than Houston and driving in the dark during a heavy (just doesn't describe it well-enough) thunderstorm is one of my least favorite things.

It was that rain that blinds you from the cars in front of you. The kind of storm that even when I'm not the driver I'm gasping, wincing and holding the car seat in a death grip sure we won't make it. I was a little panicked (a safe panic as not to cause alarm or put our sweet children in anymore danger). I had Adair helping me navigate the road by reading signs and adding a young pair of 20/20 eyes to the road. I was also praying - usually in situations like that my prayers consist of Please God...Please God...I never really get the prayer out and assume he knows what I want to say to him.

Adair confidently spoke up. "Mom, I just saw a sign that makes me feel safe. It was a billboard that said Trust in Jesus." Just like that I started to breathe, relax, and act like the Captain of this ship.

Trust in Jesus...three words that can change the course of the situation to a sense of calm and control. God is so good.

Atlanta was fun. We checked out the Georgia Aquarium and the Atlanta History Center. We liked the Aquarium but the History Center was our favorite!

 

We enjoyed farm life at the Smith Family farm. Who knew there were sheep and chickens in the middle of Buckhead!

 

We toured Swam House which was built in 1924 by the architect Philip Trammel Shutze. Eliza let us know it was not an impressive Cinderella castle but she did enjoy playing tea party in the children's room.

 

 

We spent the rest of the afternoon in the Civil War exhibit. It was the perfect overview of the four years of the war and everyone from 11 to 2 enjoyed it. We spent 3 hours in the exhibit (it's really not that big) and Adair told us she felt a little rushed. I loved seeing what parts of history interest each child. Even Robert the one that usually says something is boring or not fun found his interest. The history of firearms and ammunition that was used during the war and the difference between the technology in the North and South.

 

 

 

LaGrange, GA?

We left beautiful Alabama on Saturday to head to LaGrange, GA. What? You've never heard of LaGrange, GA. It is well worth the 20 minute drive from Callaway Gardens to visit Explorations in Antiquity Center.

Developed by Dr. James Fleming, The Center includes a walk through an archaeological garden where full-scale replicas of structures relevant to daily life in Biblical times bring history to life. We toured the life of a shepherd, farmer, and village and had a clearer understanding of the history and culture in the Biblical world. (Thank you Jo Lynn Anderson for the recommendation!)

They have wonderful tour guides or you can opt for a self-guided tour which was the perfect pace for our brood. Adair did a magnificent job of following the guide book and keeping her brothers engaged while I observed what two-year-olds did in biblical times.

 

She was so dirty and having so much fun. If you are concerned about the markings on her face it's just lipstick.

Our tour guide kept us informed and referenced several bible verses that speak of daily life. We finally have a visual for what it was like to thrush grain!

 

Bradley and Eliza enjoyed the tent.

 

This really is the closest we will get to the Holy Land anytime soon and the kids enjoyed it. We left LaGrange and headed to Callaway Gardens to the butterfly garden. What a relaxing way to end our Day 3 tour. We sat in there for an hour hoping a butterfly would land on us.



And some took the hope into there own hands until no fun Mom reminded them that was against the rules.

We were all smiles reflecting on this day until the dreaded Eliza tantrum as we checked into the hotel. We sat on a bench for 30 minutes while she screamed she didn't want to stay there. I have to agree with her that the Inn was something out of National Lampoon's Vacation but didn't expect a toddler to already have such discerning tastes.

The hotel won us over with their delicious food and Southern hospitality. Do you see an ongoing theme here?

Day 4 was all about water fun! We headed to Robin beach at Callaway Gardens where we swam in the lake and the older kids played on Aqua Island obstacle course. A really great price. For $10/hour they can play out there until they are so exhausted they have no ability to help you lug all your beach junk back to the car.

We then headed over to Mr. Carson's vegetable garden where I dreamed this was my vegetable garden. It really was beautiful and inspirational. This is where PBS's Victory Garden was filmed.

We loaded the mini and made our way to Atlanta late Sunday. First stop...

 

 

 

Lessons Learned Day 3/4 - My children are hotel snobs. 

Montgomery - Cradle of the Confederacy and Birthplace of Civil Rights

Montgomery, AL was the first stop on the adventure. This is where we were going to kick-off our studies on the Civil War, Segregation, and the Civil Rights Movement. As I turned on the computer so we could watch some videos on BrainPop and read articles on Time Magazine for Kids, my 9-year-old informed me he has already learned everything he needs to know about Civil Rights in third grade.

I do appreciate his confidence in the public school system but question his depth of knowledge. I don't even think there is a grade for social studies on report cards in elementary school.

Adair read us some stories on Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott before we took to the streets of downtown Montgomery. We started at the Rosa Parks Museum and Children's Annex. We boarded a time machine and traveled to Ohio, St. Louis, Philadelphia, the Civil War, and other significant historical events before we stopped at the very famous bus stop in 1955. This was a great overview of the movement and gave the kids a great understanding of how it all fits together.

The Rosa Parks Museum next door was just as informative. The guided tour kept the kids' attention and I even learned a few things. The kids had a really difficult time understanding how human beings could treat each other with such hate. I love that they live in a time of no color and truly accept each person for their differences. We spent some time discussing courage and bravery and the importance of peaceful protests. It was a great lesson on self control and making a purposeful decision on how you respond to people when they are not treating right.

Did they really listen and pay attention? I have no idea except they spent the majority of the afternoon bewildered that adults would throw balloons at other adults that were filled with water and urine. (spending way too much time trying to figure out how you would actually fill a balloon like that up?)

We have all decided that Southern Food rocks and particularity love the cheese grits and banana pudding! We didn't make it to the Edmund Pettus Bridge or the White House of the Confederacy but we had a good time at the Park in Old Town Alabama and driving by the State Capitol. We also enjoyed learning about the Tuskegee Airmen from WWII.

Day 2 Lesson: Two year olds have final veto power and you really are at the mercy of their bowel movements.