This really is the Place!

Yesterday was such a perfect day I couldn't stand to keep the kids at home and let it go to waste. I guess I'm getting a little bit antsy knowing that winter is around the corner and if this winter is going to be anything like the last, I want to spend as much time outside as humanly possible until the first snow. (regardless if there is laundry or cleaning to be done, because there's always tomorrow or the next day.... or the next..right?)Bailey had two of her friends from school

over and we all jumped into the car and headed up to the

THIS IS THE PLACE state park. I have never been there but have always heard great things about it so we decided to give it a try. For $5 a child you get a wrist band with three punches on it that allows one pony ride, one pioneer craft, and one train ride. Well worth the money, if you ask me! We enjoyed ourselves so much, it has become one of my favorite outings with the kids. Enjoying the perfect weather with our friends Riley and Saydi

Playing in the fountain
Part of the fun was being able to see the way the Pioneer children lived and the chores that they were expected to do. We were lucky enough to get in on the action and help a real life Pioneer family pick apples for a pie. The kids couldn't get enough, I was suprised that they got such a kick out of it! Who would have thought that helping out with chores would be such a hit? They begged to see if we could find any more pioneers working in their gardens so we could be of some assistance. But unfortunately some other helpers beat us to it......maybe next time.

Pioneer Crafts

I was impressed to see that Elmer's Glue and Crayola Markers were around back then

I can't imagine having to make Pinwheels with out them. Those pioneers thought of everything!

Saydi and Bug getting a little bit Creative
Showcasing our finished Pinwheels

Pioneer Batman Boy's Firehouse
One of the highlights was playing in the Children's Village. Everything was just their size and they spent over an hour just running around and exploring.
My little Engineer
Crazy Indians
Sitting "Indian" Style in a Tee Pee

Luke could not figure out this puzzle........ it's a Pioneer Parking Spot!

The "pony ride" just happened to be Big Horses which made it more exciting for the children.

Riley was quite the natural, she looked like a pro when the horses changed direction.
Giddy UP Luke!

Lukie on "Lucky", he misunderstood the lady when she was telling us the names of the horses and thought he was riding his name-twin "Lukie the Horse".

Saydi riding "Lucky"

I'm willing to bet that she's been on a horse before
Bailey riding "Banjo", who by the way was the fastest horse in town!

This is "Jack" the billy goat. He is part of the petting zoo and fast became one of our BFF's. I have never seen such a friendly petting zoo in all my life, you didn't need to walk up to any of the animals because they are all so tame they just walk on over to you. However, Jack was mildly intimidated by Lukie

(I think it was the batman shirt)

and took some coaxing to get him out into the open.
Riley re-named every animal in the petting zoo.

I believe the new name she gave Jack was "Boo the billy goat."

Jack was a character and wanted to come home with us. The clever little fellow kept following us through the gate. When we finally slipped out with out him he stood at the gate and cried for us to come back and play.

He was sooo adorable! It about broke all our hearts to leave him.

We finished off the Day with a Train Ride and Tour around the Village.

The park was such a hands on experience for the kids. All in all they went to pioneer school class, visited the cabinet maker, did chores, visited the shaving parlor, danced the Virginia Reel, visited the blacksmith, and they even got to pull a hand cart. It was fun, educational and entertaining! It was a treat to actually experience pioneer life and compare it to our lives today. There was so much to do and see that we weren't able to fit it all in and so we are going back very soon. I hear Halloween is full of new activities...

Anyone that is up for the adventure let me know!