Visit to Yorktown, Virginia

Although Yorktown wasn't the same time period as Jamestown, it is relatively close.  We spent part of a day there and at Yorktown's beach area.  Was pleasantly warm that day!

Camp's kitchen.  The fire pits were dug into the ground to minimize sparks burning down camp.

Government didn't have enough tents for families that came along.  Wives would have a "tent" out of whatever was available.  She may also do laundry to earn some money.

Musket demonstration.

Few turkeys roaming around Yorktown.  They escaped the Thanksgiving feast.

Thing Two was chosen to be a part of the cannon demonstration.

Canon after being fired!

Pretty Chicken!

On the beach, burning off energy!

Our builder dude!

Grass of some sort!

Surprisingly good picture.

Still digging and finding time for a picture.

Time to sit on the rocks.

Visit to Jamestown, Virginia

We finished up our Pioneer Unit Study this past Friday and took a trip down to Jamestown, Yorktown, Williamsburg Virginia area.  Here are some highlights of Jamestown.

Hole in perimeter!  Got to stick your head out.

The other kid seeing if his head will fit.

Yup! I fit through.

Here's my better side.

Armor for the day!

In Jamestown's Church!  Really!  They aren't normally this still.

Iron work.

Scrapping out a trunk to make it into a boat.

How the Indians slept.

Life on the Oregon Trail

There is nothing quite like listing out what others have done to make you realize that your own life is fairly easy in comparison. Today, in Pioneer Unit Study, we took another look at "Life on the Oregon Trail". Here's what the boys found out:

· day began at 4:00 AM

· men first yoked the oxen or harnessed the horses; women and girls made breakfast (hot coffee, biscuits, bacon, and boiled beans)

· cleaned up camp

· hit the trail by 7:00 AM

· walk until noon

· “captain” would give the signal for lunch or “nooning”

· ate a cold lunch and rested for one hour

· 1:00 PM began to move again

· stopped for day at 5:00 PM

· Men took care of animals and made repairs to the wagon

· Women made supper, mended clothing, and gave lessons to children

· Children gathered firewood or buffalo chips

· After chores, they’d gather around the campfire, tell stories, read the Bible, or play fiddle or guitar

Average miles per day = 15

Speed of oxen = 2 miles per hour

Average hours walked per day = 9

Yes, my boys are happy to not have to walk for nine ours a day. I think Thing Two could handle it though, with all the energy he generally has.

Pioneer's Unit Study

We're now in week three of Amanda Bennett's Unit Study for Pioneers. It has been such an amazing study of part of American History. Thing One and Thing Two are enjoying it immensely. I was really impressed with the boys today and how they are tying everything together from the previous weeks ~ they're making connections in ways that I just don't have to lead them too. Totally awesome. Then, as I was reading from a couple web site links, the boys starting drawing on their whiteboards various pioneer scene ~ pony express, wagons, mountains, explorers, etc. I was also excited to read that that this study leads into the Civil War time in the US History (my mental calendar of historical dates is not so good). Totally stoked because that is the next unit study we're doing. It's just the way things worked out without trying. SwEeT!!!!!!

Thanks Amanda, for a well written Unit Study!