Thanks to Groupon, we added This is the Place Heritage Park to our summer fun list. I haven't been here in years - at least not since I only had a couple of kids, and I had forgotten how much there is to do. We spent several hours there yesterday, and didn't even come close to seeing everything.
After, sitting in the bowery for a picnic, we made a quick stop in front of the BYA to get a picture of the big boys - with Robbie in his Utah shirt. It just seemed appropriate.
We walked through several pioneer cabins - most of them originals that had been moved from their initial sites. You also get to hear a little bit about the families that lived in the cabins. I just can't imagine living with 12 other people in a house the size of my bedroom. The kids got to practice living like pioneers, too. First, they did laundry on a washboard and hung it up to dry on clothes lines.
Amelia
Samantha
Duff
Amelia threw in some ironing as well because her laundry was a little wrinkled.
At another cabin, they carded (?) some wool and saw how the pioneers made yarn .
We stopped in at the barbershop for everyone to get a quick shave. Joey chickened out at first, so Samantha hopped up in his place. Once she was there, everyone else couldn't wait to get in line.
Robbie and Jonas played a quick game of checkers while waiting and Peter was letting Robbie know what his next move should be - adamantly.
Even Peter couldn't wait to get in on the action, although he was a little worried about the brush at first.
We witnessed a bank robbery complete with shooting (that neither Duff nor Peter was fond of - of course.) We returned to the bank later and the kids practiced balancing the scales to see how much the gold and coins were worth. The kids also made "diamond" rings out of nails, and built a puzzle out of a block of wood with drilled holes, string, and a button. They learned some pioneer games, and we rode on the train (multiple times). Everyone had a chance to pan for gold.
I don't think Peter had any idea what he was looking for, but he loved scooping up the water, dirt and rocks and dumping them out again. The kids turned in their gold nuggets for a treat (and some of them decided to keep their gold.)
We stopped in at the saddlery and the girls did some leather work.
We shopped at Z.C.M.I. (I still really miss Z.C.M.I. by the way.) And, of course, we were all very hot and thirsty so we stopped in for some cool treats
and found a shady spot to enjoy them.
We rode the train back to the Indian village where everyone made arrowhead necklaces and we visited the teepees and hogans.
We spent a little time in a pioneer classroom where the kids had to do some school work on their slate boards.
"Seriously, Mom? School work during summer vacation?"
They also learned what the punishment was for not doing their homework - sitting on the stool with the dunce cap on your head from 9:00 to 12:00. Then you had until 4:00 to go home, finish your homework and bring it back. I'm wondering if this sort of punishment would be good incentive for my kids? 3 hours is a loooong time to sit still on a stool.
This was the punishment for being, rude, disrespectful, or unkind. The first offense meant you stood on the stump with your nose against the wall. With the second offense, you had to lift your hands behind your back. And with the 3rd offense, you had to hold books up behind your back. Once again, I think they may have been on to something.
I think after that, you would have to bend over and be paddled.
Everyone had a chance to ride the horses - multiple times (except for Jonas who claims horses and he don't get along. I'm not sure when in life he would have made this discovery, but what can you do?)
Samantha
Amelia
Peter
Duff
My kids all had a great time and of course, loved being able to go with their cousins. I think we will have to go back because there is still so much we didn't have a chance to see. I know Michelle took a million pictures, too - only hers are on her camera - not her phone, so they should be much better quality. It was also fun for Michelle and I to run into some friends who were "working" up there with their kids - all dressed as pioneers. This will have to be a repeat - as long as I can get a groupon.
As always, I wonder why I do this to myself - trying to get a picture of 9 kids all looking at the camera, hands down, smiling and no goofy looks - an almost impossible feat. (Something about capturing the memories no matter how imperfect they are.)
Peter quickly realized that the other kids thought it was funny when he wore his hat over his whole face, so he tried it repeatedly. He loves being silly and being the cause of laughter. I have to tell the other kids to quit encouraging him just to make him stop.
We ended with a silly face photo and of course gobs of candy fresh from the factory that will keep us all on a sugar high for days to come. (I plan to ration it accordingly.)
Just for fun - the candy factory through the years:
As always, I wonder why I do this to myself - trying to get a picture of 9 kids all looking at the camera, hands down, smiling and no goofy looks - an almost impossible feat. (Something about capturing the memories no matter how imperfect they are.)
Peter quickly realized that the other kids thought it was funny when he wore his hat over his whole face, so he tried it repeatedly. He loves being silly and being the cause of laughter. I have to tell the other kids to quit encouraging him just to make him stop.
We ended with a silly face photo and of course gobs of candy fresh from the factory that will keep us all on a sugar high for days to come. (I plan to ration it accordingly.)
Just for fun - the candy factory through the years:
