Spring Break Trip - Williamsburg, Va - March

Flashback:  *Spring Break was the second week in March*

After a 5 hour drive, we arrived in Williamsburg, VA for our family spring break excursion.  The kids were great travelers in the car.  However, the next morning, we had a difficult time loading Eliza into the car.  She wasn't ready for another long drive.  We simply put up with the crying for the short 2 miles we drove to Colonial Williamsburg. 

Williamsburg is a neat Colonial town that is full of American History.  It really was a neat place to go, and we will definitely have to go back.  I will say that it's not the best place to take small children - there isn't a whole lot they are interested in.  We didn't see near as much as we would have liked, but we did the best we could.  The biggest downside is that strollers were not allowed in any of the buildings.  Since most of them were original colonial buildings, there simply isn't room for a stroller.  Factoring in feeding time (difficult to find warm places) and naps, we saw very little.  We learned that this is a much better place for older children. 

We started by taking a tour of the Governor's house.  Here are Bruce and Zaby in the front room.  I loved how the tour guides not only dressed time period appropriate, but spoke to us as if we were citizens living in Williamsburg during the 18th century.  I really liked seeing these old spinets and harpsichords.  Musical instruments were a little different back then.  

Life in the late 1700's has always fascinated me.  I wonder what everyday life was like, and if I would have been able to live during that time.  I would like to think that I could, but let's face it, I do enjoy our modern conveniences. 

I kept taking pictures of items in the houses, and Eliza desperately wanted me to take this one.  She absolutely loved wearing her admission badge.  She showed it to everyone who commented on her smile, her jacket, or her good listening skills - which was pretty much everyone.  She didn't listen much to the tour guide, but at least when she ran in circles, she stayed close.  Granted at this time, she had only been walking alone for 1.5 months, so she was still pretty cautious. 

We stopped by the music museum and saw all kinds of old harpsichords, spinets, and organs.  Perhaps the most bizarre thing we saw was this record player. 

Yes, it is a record player - bizarrely shaped like a hippopotamus.  With as small as the houses were back then, I don't know who would even have place for such a contraption.  You cranked it by pulling its tongue.  Although unique to look at, I wouldn't want it in my front room - that's for sure. 

For spring break, it was surprisingly chilly.  We visited the blacksmith shop, then stopped by a little house to hear a parlor concert. 

We ate an expensive lunch at an authentic 18th century restaurant.  Eliza enjoyed her home cooked macaroni and cheese while I had old fashioned Roast Beef. 

Bruce had Colonial pot pie, and Zaby mostly slept through lunch. 

 

My favorite shop of all was by far the wig makers.  This lady was hysterical.  Every new person who came in, she welcomed and told them to lay their old wig on the back table to be laundered and feel free to look around at the newest fashionable wigs on the front wall.  She told me that real ladies wouldn't be caught dead out of the house with their own hair showing - everyone wears wigs, mostly made out of horse hair.  Can you imagine how itchy that would be?  I really wish I could remember what else she told me about wigs during that time, but I thoroughly enjoyed the 20 minutes of looking around and listening. 

All the various styles of wigs. 

Just outside of main street, a messenger rode down the road giving us the latest news from the capital.  Eliza was enamored by the horses, but got a bit scared when they got too close. 

We were graced by the presence of the militia marching band. 

We went into a playhouse to experience common in between act entertainment.  After waiting in line because there were limited seats, and snagging front row seats, Zaby decided it was time to eat.  This child is not one to be patient when his tummy is empty.  Before it even started, I had to crawl over a row of people and exit the parlor room.  Now I faced the same challenge, I faced all day.  Where do I go to feed him?  It's too cold outside, and I was kind of tired of sitting on bathroom floors.  The volunteers were so kind.  Even though it was slightly awkward asking where I could find a warm place to feed him, they fetched me a chair.  I put it just outside the parlor doors, and they were kind enough to leave them ajar (normally they would close) so that I could still see the performance.   

After a practice enactment of events that really took place in Williamsburg (including a treason trial), they really shot off these canons.  The boom was so loud, I could hear it and feel the vibrations from the bathroom (where I was feeding Zaby again) 3 buildings over. 

Zaby's looking adorable in his bear suit

At 2.5 months old, he seemed to enjoy himself. 

 We stayed at one of our Bluegreen resorts again.  It wasn't as nice as some of the other ones we have stayed at, but it was a good trip nonetheless.  Eliza really enjoyed the "rock" music.  The sidewalks were lined with fake speaker rocks that were playing music.  Every time we walked past, she would go up to the rocks and sway back and forth because she was dancing to the music. 

It still amazes me how much history there is so close to where I currently live.  It kind of makes me wish I paid closer attention in history class. 

 

I will end this post with a video of Eliza's favorite part about our spring break trip. 

The freedom to run around. She went on like this for about 5 minutes. Cracked me up!