Field Trip to Stagville

Our FIAR group took a field trip to Stagville Plantation.  It is one of the largest plantations of the pre-Civil War south.  There are buildings there from the late 18th century.  You can read more about it here at the Stagville site  

We split into an older and younger group.  The younger children started out in a group talking about various jobs that the slaves held.  They talked about this as they played a game of Charades.  

We then toured the home.  Its beautiful inside.

Great cabinet in the hallway for storing dishes.

Steep stairs.

Neat room in the attic space.

View of the garden from the Master bedroom.

The master bedroom.

This is the back of the house.  (Not sure why I didn't get a good picture of the front of the house.)

I love that children will play with whatever they find.  Rocks can be something fun.

Taking a peek into an old outhouse.

We then drove down the road to the slave's quarters.

We first walked to an enormous barn which was built entirely by the enslaved people.

The children listened and learned.

It truly is a remarkable building.  It shows that it has been standing for over 150 years!

This is the outside of the barn.

These are the homes that the slaves lived in.

Better than the conditions of many slaves, but not what anyone would want for their life.  This is such a hard period of history to learn about.  Its so very sad in so many ways.  And sad to see the effects of slavery even so many years later.  

As we finished up our tour, we decided to go to a nearby park to play.  It was a gorgeous day and a great way to end our field trip.

As always, I'm thankful to be able to learn about history in a hands-on way.  I think it is more real than just reading about facts in a book.  I hope that through learning about history that my children will have a better understanding of the past and thus make better decisions for the future.

Blessings

Leslie

Before FIAR co-op: If Jesus Came to My House

Playing a little catch-up as usual.  We just started back to school today after a long break.  This was also Christopher's first day back to class and we like to keep a similar schedule so that we can have off on the days that he is home.

We had a really productive day today!  I'm going to enjoy it as I know not all days will go so well . Probably not even tomorrow!  We'll do our best though.

This is our last Before FIAR co-op with the book If Jesus Came to My House.  We started with a devotion and the story of Jesus meeting Zacheus.  The children were enthralled with seeing the story come to life with felts.  (I use ours more often!)

We also talked about JOY - putting Jesus first, then others and yourself last.  I wanted Eliana to have a picture with the blocks since this is also her middle name.  

A cardboard house is always so much fun.  It was a great way to practice knocking at the door and inviting someone in.  Also taking turns and sharing.  

For our craft, the children made beautiful flowers.

They started with coloring on coffee filters.  They each did several of them.

Then they were squirted with water to make the colors run and look more like watercolors.

I love seeing my little princess at work!  I meant to take a picture of her with her finished flower, but forgot to.

This cute house even had a doorbell to ring!

For our snack, we had a fancier table and talked about treating our guests specially.  You can see one of the finished flowers along with our snack of apples and rice krispie treats.

Meanwhile the older kids were participating in the Mad Scientist Club.  They read a chapter in the book and then each of them brings something as a show and tell.  Lego creation, drawing, craft item, etc.  We also have a question and discussion time and then after snacks - its time for experiments!  What a treat it was on this day to have one of the Dads come and lead the activities for them!

This was an experiment to see if you could lift up another person using only your breath!  (Blowing into a plastic bag)

They all loved having a turn at this one.

This was another fun one!  Put vinegar into a bottle and then add baking soda.  The reaction of the two will blow up the balloon!  See this blog post for more details on doing it yourself.

Another fun day with friends!  Looking forward to more fun times together!

Blessings
Leslie

Christmas

Looking back, I can say I am so very thankful that we were all feeling great on Christmas day!  :-)  We have had quite a month of sickness it seems.  Spread out and usually only hitting one or two of us at a time.  Its been quite wearying actually.  We are all really hoping that the germs are about gone and that soon we will be past all of this!

We have a traditional opening of one gift on Christmas Eve - new pajamas.

 Eliana was delighted when she saw that she received "Princess" pajamas.

 We don't get up too terribly early thanks to some very patient kids!  Everyone on the steps waiting to go down and open stockings.

 I love stockings!  Its one of my favorite parts.  Everyone really likes this!

 A Thor pez dispenser.

 And Superman too.

 Daniel made some of his gifts for others.  Here is Thor's hammer/lightning for Rebecca (and a new pair of sunglasses).

 Love all the hugs that are shared on this day.  I could have posted lots of pictures of hugs.  :-)

 A new doll.  (And its been so cute to watch her playing with her and dancing with her as she watched the Tangled movie!)

 It was a Lego Christmas for the boys.  Rebecca gave them all Legos (as did others).

 This kept them busy and having fun for quite some time!

Eliana really liked helping people open their gifts.  :-)

 Some people are harder to take pictures of than others who are willing to pose.  ;-)

 New robe and make up box.

 Oh, did they have fun with this gun!

Spiderman fan.

Our birthday cake for Jesus was made from cupcakes this year.

 Merry Christmas!  We are thankful for the gift of Jesus!

with love
Leslie