Raising My Boys In The Country: Heritage Village Visit

The next day was going to be a long one. We had to jam a visit to a historic village into one day, plus drive 3 1/2 hours home!! We were up rather early and had a nice breakfast, compliments of the motel.

Enjoying Breakfast

The drive was absolutely beautiful, with clear blue skies and picturesque scenery! Once we got to the site we parked the car and entered. The first stop of the day was the schoolhouse. You could only go to school if you were of school age. The littlest member of our party was not capable of being quiet, so he and I did not go.

The other boys all lined up to see what was going to happen. It was quite funny, because the teacher was *very* strict. One of our boys made the mistake of talking, while waiting in line and the teacher was quick to correct him in a very strict tone. I didn't know if he would survive, because he couldn't stop chattering to his big brothers! *grin*

The boys were to call her 'Ma'am' take off their caps; the girls curtsied as they passed her. The children were lined up with the boys on one side and the girls on the other. The tallest at the back and the shortest at the front.

I can see why they had control of the classes back in those days! Wow. To see those kinds of expectations from children today would certainly change things!!

The Classroom

Informing the New Students of Class Rules

The children spent thirty minutes at school. Our 7 year old so enjoyed going to school that he wanted to go back again!

I'd Like To Go To School Here!

The Swindler and His Helper

The Water Wheel (critical for getting gold)

After school we went to the gold mining area and were treated to a very funny show. The guy on the right wants us to believe he is an upstanding member of the mining community, when really he is a swindler. The other guy is a hoot, cause he knows the other one is a swindler. The kids really enjoyed this. We learned all about how they got the gold out of the ground and how far down it was etc.

Egg Toss

After this show was over we wandered down the boardwalk and found some games happening. The boys joined in the egg toss, but the distance was so great that there was no chance of catching the egg. The little guys lost theirs right away!

After this we went to where they were cutting the biggest cake I have ever seen. It was about 4'x8' in size. It was a real whipped cream, strawberry shortcake!! YUM!!

Enjoying His Piece

After this we wandered around the town taking in the sites. We went to a show at the theatre that was great fun.

Watching the Theatre Group Advertise

By now the littlest one was very tired and he fell asleep in the theatre. When we came out I was able to transfer him to the stroller, where he continued to sleep for another hour!

Awake and Rested

Lunch Break

After lunch we went to the studio and had pictures taken of the boys all dressed up.

After this we went for a stage coach ride. It was great fun. I sat on the top with the driver and some little ones, and the bigger boys sat inside. Of course, at one point I had to talk to one boy about hanging out the window!

Inspecting the Horses With the Driver

Waiting For His Ride (with the driver's hat on)

Stage Coach Ride

Stage Coach View

When the ride was over the children all wanted to pan for gold. We were fortunate to have a guide who was very good with children and he helped our little ones pan for gold. I, on the other hand, couldn't be bothered to be so careful. I was too busy watching the kids, so I was doing a lousy job!! *laugh* All our kids got a tiny few grains of gold.

Panning for Gold

Look At My Gold!

After the stagecoach we went around the streets for a while and enjoyed more snacks. They make the *biggest* icecream cones I've ever had served!! While we were enjoying our icecreams this European couple came up and asked if they could take a picture of our little guy enjoying his icecream. It think it might have been because he had this great big cone and the top fell off (all four scoops of it!) and he picked it up and slapped it back on the cone (dirty side down) and continued to eat it! They saw this happen. Well, as soon as he got through a scoop or two we tossed the rest (to get rid of the dirt!) Little boys!