The Colonial Experience at Riley's Farm

Before we left, I told the kids that the school bus is our Time Machine, and that we would travel back in time as we head to Riley's Farm. 

Once we arrived, we were given the name of Norfolk as our Township, and began our day as colonial children!



Our first stop was at the Etiquette station where the kids got a crash course on how to bow as gentlemen and curtsy as proper ladies. 





Um...let's just say that we will need to keep practicing!! LOL!



The Colonial Games station is one of my favorites, because the kids always have a great time with WOODEN TOYS!!  

Imagine that...they don't need computers nor tablets to have a great time interacting with friends and get lots of exercise. 

The kids also got to dip candles. We learned in class how the colonists did not have electricity, so the only source of light were the candles. 

We also appreciated the fact that the colonists not only had to make their own candles, but they also had to make their own clothing. 

I think the students appreciate the fact that they can just go to a store and purchase blankets and shirts rather than weaving their own clothes! 

Writing with the quill and ink was much more                             difficult than the kids expected!

Again, I think they have a new appreciation for their pencils, pens, and markers at school. 

There was a "Generalsmith" who demonstrated how melted pewter could be molded into a variety of items. 

There was another gentleman who explained all sorts of interesting items used by the colonists. I think the kids' favorite tool was the tomahawk. 

Our final station was in the kitchen...full of flies!! I thought that made the experience more realistic. 

They churned the butter...

...and rolled the dough into biscuits. 

What a great hands-on day they had! I know that they were all glad to get back on the bus and travel back to our present day of 2017 where we can enjoy the conveniences of daily life. 

THANK YOU to all of our brave chaperones for spending the day with us. I hope you are enjoying your apples pies!! (I covered mine with vanilla ice cream and whip cream...I could barely see my slice of pie...and boy, was it DELICIOUS!!)