(Note: I have included links to all of these locations.  Even if you can't take your homeschoolers to these locations physically, many of them have virtual tours accessible from their websites.  They also have some terrific learning activities and lessons plans for your educational enjoyment!)

Yorktown Victory Center was next on the agenda.  We were scheduled for a family tour from 10am-noon, and then each kiddo had a one hour class after lunch.  I was a little leary of the two-hour time frame for the tour, but Jackie Conrad (or Miss Jackie, as she preferred) lit those kids on fire.  Now, I will preface this by telling your that our tour groups had all boys… I know… AND, they were all between the ages of 4 and 12…  Luckily, we had tour guide extraordinaire and that whole group of boys was quiet and engaged for the entire 2 hours.  I was surprised to look down at my watch and discover that it was also over.

We toured the farm (the turkeys were hilarious, docile and pettable – an unusual combination), as well as the encampment.  Kiddo #1 was labelled "Insubordinate" and Kiddo #2 was a "Gambler" when we pretended to be soldiers gone wild.  They didn't think that wooden horse looked any too fun to sit on, though.  They decided that they would rather be noble and honorable like General Washington, rather than sitting on a pointy wooden horse for hours.  Good choice, boys!

We packed a lunch and ate in the car.  Yorktown and Jamestown are smaller than Colonial Williamsburg, and it is easier to get to the parking lot.  We had just enough time for lunch before we were due at the classes.  Kiddo #1 took on the Revolutionary War class for the 3rd through 6th grade set, and Kiddo #2 and the other K-2nds went to Colonial Life.  These classes provided lots of reinforcement for what we had been learning throughout the week, which made them very worthwhile.

The next day, Jamestown was beckoning.  Again, we had a two-hour tour, which took us through the Jamestown Settlement and the Powhatan Indian Village, as well as down to the wharf to see replica of the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and the Discovery.  Did I mention the musket and cannon demonstrations?  All three of my guys probably would have watched the weaponry all day if they could have.  The classes this time were Culture at Jamestown for the olders and Powhatan Indians for the youngers. 

One of the silly, little fun things about Jamestown for us was that the boys had made Jamestown replicas by Homeschool in the Woods.  Amy Pak offers them for free here, and like so many of her other products, they are really well-done.

The ships gave us all a whole, new perspective on how difficult crossing the Atlantic was during those times.  They were very small, and we didn't know that one of them was stuck in port at London for over one whole month!  Once they were on the ship, the captain wouldn't let them off in case the winds became favorable.  And, to think I get crankly when I am stuck on the tarmack at O'Hare!

On our final day in Virginia, we packed up the car and headed north to Alexandria area, host to George Washington's estate, Mount Vernon.  The picture at the top of this post is the kiddos and me with the working oxen on the plantation.  (We discovered that oxen feel softer than they appear!)  Unfortunately, we were raced through our house tour – apparently, they were behind and had school groups coming in.  Luckily, we always managed to stay one step ahead of the crowds and really got to explore the grounds and outbuildings. 

For those of you who love old homes, as I do, the house was worth the trip.  The plaster work was impressive and all of the details of manor life were very interesting.  I also appreciated how a very private couple managed a very public life by tucking away compartments just for themselves.  The Education Center on the grounds was very kid-friendly.  There is an entire timeline of Washington's life that shows children now just what he did, but how he lived, as well.

The view from the back porch across the Potomac drew me.  I almost had to yank myself away… it is no wonder Washington didn't like to leave Mount Vernon.  I have a sneaking suspicion that, if there had been a White House during his presidency, he would have refused to live there:-)

We saw his old tomb, which he declared in his will was not situated ideally and directed it be moved.  Then, we saw the new tomb.  They were doing some type of honorarium on the day we were there, so we all were given red carnations to place at the entrance to the Mausoleum.  It was a quite and poignant moment for Professor Dad and I.  We were drawn to the history that seemed to surround us, and were moved by the amount of blood, sweat and tears that secured the freedom we enjoy today.

It was on this note that we trekked back to the car to begin the last legs of our learning journey.  The boys had learned so much, as did we.  The time period that we have been studying for the last few months came alive to all of us.  How lucky we are as homeschoolers that we can show our children the history of this great country, as well as the character traits that went into its creation!

We just returned from our Colonial Times/Revolutionary War learning trip to Virginia, where we were happy to see the first signs of spring had begun to pop out.  (When we left Wisconsin, it was a frigid 10 degrees!)  We packed our week with all kinds of events and experiences that gave the kiddos a hands-on look at what was happening during one of the most eventful times in our country.  The entire experience was terrific, and I highly recommend it for anyone studying Colonial Times and/or the American Revolution.  Sonlight's Core 3 and Tapestry of Grace's Year 2, Units 3 and 4.

Last year, when I attended the Midwest Homeschool Convention – probably one of the best conventions I've been to – I happened upon a booth set up by Colonial Williamsburg.  They had flyers for Home Educators' Week, which they put on twice a year, once in spring and once in fall.  The spring session focuses on Colonial life and the fall session concentrates a bit more on government.  The rates are deeply discounted, and nearby Yorktown and Jamestown also offer discounted rates and programs at the same time.

We started our trip by heading down to Lexington to stay the first night with friends, and then hit the road again early the next morning.  First stop… Monticello, the incredible home of Thomas Jefferson.  We toured the mansion, especially enjoying the library and study, where we saw a tabletop, rotating bookholder that held 5 books open at a time.  My son decided he needed one of those (I was thinking the same thing!)  Even though everything was still pretty brown, the grounds were beautiful and the views were amazing.

After leaving Monticello, we still had about 2.5 hours in the car before reaching our hotel.  We have decided over the years that staying in a hotel/condo/timeshare type of location works best for us because of the kitchen.  It is so nice to be able to have my morning tea in pajamas and eat breakfast first thing without hunting down a restaurant.  We can also make lunches for our day trips if we choose.  At the end of a long day of walking, it is so nice to grab some food at Trader Joe's and have a simple – and healthy – dinner of chicken salad on spinach with fruit.  Yum!

The next morning, after our healthy and convenient breakfast:-), we headed off to Colonial Williamsburg.  We purchased the 2-day home educators pass, which gave us just enough time for us to enjoy everything without burning out.  Note: Colonial Williamsburg involves alot of walking.  If you have small children, do yourself a favor and bring a stroller.  We were able to wander the streets and listen to the interpreters at the various sites, such as the gunsmith's shop, the milliner's, and the weaver's.  Of course, we had to stop and pet the carriage horses, Gunner and Trooper.  Kiddo #2 was petting one of them when we realized that he had fallen asleep (the horse, not the kid.)  It was very funny because Professor Dad had just been telling the boys that horses sleep standing up.  They were able to see it firsthand… isn't this one of the reasons we homeschool?

The kids wore the costumes that we made before we left for the trip and felt very period-appropriate.  Unfortunately, my textile skills are less than stellar, but the kids didn't seem to mind.  We also enjoyed the costumes worn by many of the other families there… some of those moms should win a medal, the costumes were just beautiful.

Over the course of the two-days, we saw both the Marquis de Layfayette and George Washington give talks at the Kimball Theatre.  The actors were amazing… 45-minute presentations flew by.  The kids were spellbound, and had questions and pictures with them afterward.  The Marquis was especially good.  I didn't realize how young he was when he came to the States to fight for freedom… he was only 19.  I call that purpose!  I suspect the boys secretly want to be him when they grow up!

We also toured the Governor's Palace and learned that Lord Dunmore (the governor) didn't think it was much of a palace compared to his real home in Scotland.  Maybe that made him a bit crabby??  The grounds were very pretty, but one of the neatest parts of the Palace area was the maze in the back.  Be aware, your children will want to spend hours chasing each other around back there… it's a little mini-fantasy world for adventurous young people. 

The Capitol building was equally impressive, and the guide there was fantastic.  We were also able to participate in a mock trial at the courthouse.  My role was a wealthy widow who was sewing a workman for ruining her tobacco.  Very dramatic, yes?

So, that was it for the Colonial Williamsburg portion of our trip.  Except for the sheep.  That's right, the sheep were a big hit.  For some reason on both days, we happened to be walking past the sheep pen around feeding time.  Those sheep took one look at the boys hanging over the fence and started up a chant of baas heard round the world (I know, wrong colony.) 

Up next, Yorktown, Jamestown and Mount Vernon!  Click here for Part Two of our learning journey.