Argh, I best be getting me Krispy Kreme.

September 19th was National Talk Like a Pirate Day.

We were listening to a radio program the kids like and were told if we visited a Krispy Kreme wearing a full pirate costume we would get a free dozen doughnuts. If you just showed up and talked like a pirate you would get one free. 

 The flexibility of homeschooling allowed us to wake up and head straight over to KK.

Jane made her own eye patch out of paper, Elliot had a pirate costume ready to go. 

Argh wheres me dozen?

Mom, pirates don't take pictures. 
So stop or you will have to swab the deck.

 

Because we showed up while they were making them, 
we got the free ones of the assembly line and our dozen.
 Love all the loot!

Watching that glaze be poured on. 

A video of kids in costumes.  

Critter Barn- Cuteness overload

The Critter Barn

The Bunnies were the big hit. 

 The kids learned how to pick them up gently from their necks and turn them on their backs. 

I loved holding them as much as the kids. 

The Cat lounge, Ben isn't sure if he is safe from scratches and bites. The cats have a way out when they don't want the attention.  These cats let you brush and pet as much as you wanted.

Elliot was coming up with all these funny names for the animals most of the names ending in the word face.  
The name I liked best was for one of the bigger goats.  As soon as Elliot saw it "Hey brown sleeves" 

This goat really wanted Benjamin to pet him.
Here Benjamin is saying moo!

The farm is located in Zeeland and normally charges a
$5/person fee.
 The day we went they were taking donations. 

Did I mention how cute the bunnies were?

Elliot running with the goat. Charlie Brown.

They also had peacocks, and horses.
The kids can sign up to be helpers in the summer, where they learn about farm life. I think that would be a great opportunity.

I look forward to a return trip. 

Kouw Park > Critter Barn > Holland State Park from outypants on Vimeo.

Henry Ford and Greenfield

One of our top items on our summer to do list was visit the Henry Ford and Greenfield Village.

We were able to share this trip with the Romans.

Nathan and I both have visited the museum and village as kids, and once for our anniversary.

Jane took a quiz what kind of car are you?

She came up with the the Commuta:

This was built as a result of the 70's oil crisis.

Elliot liked making paper airplanes at the Wright Brother's section. They have some of the original material used from the first plane in flight along with the recreation of the plane.

The collection at the Henry Ford is extensive, including the chair Lincoln was shot in, Rosa Park's bus, and Presidential cars.  It could also be called the Thomas Edison museum with all of the information and artifacts it contains of the inventor. We didn't get a chance to see it, but they even have Edison's last breath. 

Dad and Elliot constructing their car ideas.
I didn't quite get Nathan in the shot, photography 101, don't cut-off people's heads.

 The Dymaxian house.  The link gives all the information about it. A round shaped home that uses, what at the time were considered modern innovations. A family did live in the house for 20 years, adding onto it over the years.

This section of the museum had scenes from different eras. Jane and Elliot sitting in front of the radio, like kids in the 1940's might have done.

The kids got their own models made of the Wienermobile.

Greenfield Village

The highlights for the girls was going to school.

We experienced what school life was like in 1867. 
Boys and girls sat on separate sides of the room. 
 The teacher asked real questions and you had to stand up and give your name.  The Roman girls and Jane answered everything right.  She prodded answers from the adults and I gave the capital of Pennsylvania and then I was asked to spell it,  I didn't think that was quite fair, but thankfully I got it right.

Laura Ingalls Wilder told about her life on the prairie right before she became a teacher.

Old fashion games

Emma was quite good at the stilts

There was a baseball game that was played according to the rules in the 1800's.

I don't think Addidas was standard issue in the 1800's.

Events were being held to commemorate the 200 anniversary of the war of 1812.  

The kids joined the army. They first had to enlist, then go see the doctor. One of his questions was if you ever had small-pox. 
Then they marched, it was quite warm that day and it was a bit of work for the kids to learn how to hold their weapons and march.

Jane's occupation-actress,
Moriah's-artist

We got a visit from the Krohns.  They then joined us on Sunday afternoon at the village.

 I am glad we were able to share this  special trip,with great family and friends.