The Continuing Adventures of Bonnie and Clyde

The fall brings the start of football, and Clyde has been fortunate enough to go to a game or two with his dad and grandparents, where they noticed that he was having problems reading the jerseys on the field.  So, this week, we took Clyde in to get his vision tested.  His uncle needs glasses and so does his dad, so it’s certainly genetically possible that there was something amiss.

Technically,  his vision is still 20/20, but he does show nearsightedness.  They offered him the option of going without glasses for awhile longer, but since they came in burgundy (his favorite color), he opted for a pair now so that he can enjoy the games a little more.

On the ride home he noted that he could see a little further and a lot more clearly, so it was probably the right choice to make.  Now, Bonnie wants a pretty pink pair to match, though.

As I mentioned earlier in the summer, though this blog is usually about the exploits of Bonnie and Clyde, periodically, Mom and Dad get to go on a field trip as well.  This time, it was Dad’s turn, and he got to pretend to be a race car driver for the afternoon while taking part in the Richard Petty Driving Experience.  We were already near Williamsburg, seemed like an easy thing to do!

My folks were there the same day, as Grandma was going to do the ride-along experience.  She did 125mph around the track for 3 laps, and once she was over the feeling of having to throw up, she had lots of fun!  We went for lunch, and then it was back to the Raceway for Dad’s experience.

First, he had to suit up, and attend driving school where he learned basically that he was to follow the lead car, and he wasn’t supposed to touch the brake.  Supposedly he learned the flags and what they meant, but he was so focused on the lead car during the ride he never saw the flags anyway.

Then, they came out to the track.  They took a sedate 85mph ride around the track in the van, to get a feel for the course, and the curves.  Then, he took the official photo next to the stock car.  So cool, right?

We had paid for a ride-along for him, as well, so he actually did that first.  Bonnie and Clyde were thrilled that he got to ride in the M&M car.

Then, it was his turn to drive.  There was a bit of confusion about what order he was to race in, etc., but he eventually got into his car: #33.

Bonnie and Clyde were especially thrilled that he was able to follow the “Go Daddy” car.  They thought it quite fitting.

And … they’re off.

8 laps of pure joy.   The lead car kept him to about 108 mph, and he felt that he could have definitely handled a bit more on the speed.  But, it was wayyy cool.

You know it’s a hit when he says it was cooler than Space Camp.  But I have to say that I’m glad that I’m not at work with him tomorrow. 

Ah, September.  It conjures up beautiful days and nights that are starting to cool down, right?  Not if you’re us, and you’re touring Colonial Williamsburg!  I do believe that everytime we’ve been there it’s been around 100 degrees, and this last trip was no exception.

We headed there to take advantage of their awesome homeschooling days.  Not only were the tickets a great price, and the crowd a great size (small), but they also had a cool Revolutionary program that fit in quite nicely with the period of history that we happen to be studying.

We arrived around dinner time, so it seems the perfect time to try out a tavern.  The first night, we ate at Christiana Campbell’s tavern, and while everything was quite delicious, we were MOST fond of the sweet potato muffins.  Yes, we bought the mix.

We adults quite enjoyed the atmophere and the costumes, and the fact that all the people were in character throughout the meal, but the kids seemed to be stumped by that at first.  They were quite surprised to learn that it would take General Washington 3-4 days to travel from his home down to Williamsburg, for example.  And the political conversation circled around whether Virginia was foolish to be the first to declare her independence from the King.  Questions about a female vice-president were met with puzzled looks, as they had no knowledge of a “president”, nor could they see any reason for a female to be involved in the government anyway.

But the kids did get a chance to talk with General Washington about his plans to lead the attack at Yorktown.

They learned about what he did in his “spare” time, and they learned how he met Martha.  He also claimed no memory of ever chopping down a cherry tree.

We ran into a few disciplinary problems during the day, so we plunked the offenders in the stocks.

There were no rotten fruit and vegetables, though, and they were eventually let out.  We did learn, though, that the more effective punishment was to tie the disobedient to the Liberty Pole, and then they could be tarred and feathered and left to run up and down the main street.  Maybe next time.

We went into a lot of the shops and checked out the craftsmen.  The craftsmen in town aren’t just putting on a show, they’re actually making things that are going to be used in the town, or are really for sale.  For example, the blacksmith was making tools which are going to be sent up to Mt. Vernon, which is opening it’s own blacksmith’s area, and needs some tools to get started.  Here he is working on a pair of tongs.

I especially liked the silversmith’s shop.  She was making spoons, which she said takes about an hour to pound out, and then another hour to file, but then the intricate work begins.

Watching her cut out those little scrolls was amazing.  We thought Clyde would really enjoy the gun shop, but he was more interested in the political speeches.  I guess he wouldn’t have made a good apprentice.

The final part of the Revolutionary show had the Fife and Drum corp marching up the street to where General Washington addressed the troops to inspire them to victory at Yorktown.  I don’t think the kids will forget the sight and sound of that for a long time.

A Revolutionary city, indeed.  And a great way to end our Revolutionary Unit.

Since we haven’t done enough playing around with critters … this past weekend, Bonnie went on a horseback riding trip with some of her girl scout friends!

Most people know, that in the dead of winter, little girls go door to door and stand shivering outside the grocery store to sell those delicious little cookies (and the boxes disappear way too quickly around here).  This year, the girls decided to spend their profits on (amongst other things) a horseback riding excursion.

I think Bonnie was a little nervous about it at first.  After all, most of the horses that she’s seen on the nearby working farm are BIG.   But I have to say that the school did a wonderful job with all the scouts.  They spent a lot of time talking about safety, but kept it interesting for the younger girls.  They described a lot of the different types of horses, and showed them to the girls.  They showed how to groom a horse (and let the girls do some grooming, too), and then FINALLY, the girls went out into the ring and met their horse.

Meet Big Chief.

Isn’t he great?  He’s just the right size for Bonnie, and he was the best of the ponies at the school.   First, the girls had to lead the horses by the reins.  Once they were comfortable with that, they were allowed to mount their horse, and took it for a walk, a march, and a trot.   I love the look of pure joy on her face after she successfully completed the trot!

Bonnie finished the day off by feeding the horses some carrots.  Little girls sure do love the ponies!

Despite some school time during the summer, we decided to call today our first “official” day not-back-to-school.  Yes, it’s Labor Day.  Yes, it’s a holiday.  Yes, we did school work today.  But that’s okay – we like the flexibility to take vacation days when we really need them … like in December!

So, here’s Bonnie and Clyde getting ready to start the 3rd and 5th grades.

But this is a better picture of the REAL Bonnie and Clyde, though.

I think the regular school teachers should send ME a thank-you note, don’t you?