Hands on History

I am very behind in blogging events...life has been a whirlwind! Homeschooling this year has been a bit of a challenge to keep up with -hence the lag in blog posts! On November 8th, we held a Civil War Day for the homeschoolers in our church and a few other families from area support groups joined us as well. It was a memorable day! Even in the midst of the rain, the Lord was so kind to send mild temperatures ....in spite of the unfavorable weather, the kids had a blast. L has not stopped talking about it and laments the fact that we will not be studying the Civil War again for several years . He and Odesco saved their birthday money and purchased new Civil War guns for the big event. L has been toting his around ever since! It was great fun making another memory with our children and other families...Enjoy the pictures!
MamaB
P.S. For those interested, visit www.historicalhappenings.com for more information about hosting an event like this :)

The Matson family, from Historical Happenings, on Friday after 'setting up shop' in the barn on the property we were using.

Mrs. McG with G...she graciously allowed us to use her property for the day's events :) Here she is protecting G's eardrums from the boys and their newly purchased cap guns! This was taken Friday after setting up.

CIVIL WAR DAY: Mercy, G, Odesco, L and P with some of our friends. C was off in the woods!
Once again, Mimi came to the rescue and helped with the costumes :)

The S family joined us from their new home, out of state--it was great to have them with us...here Natalie is wearing a dress she designed and sewed herself! Impressive :)!! She decided to be a Southern Belle~

The Confederate and Union forces are receiving instruction from Isaac...he works with his parents in their family owned company "Historical Happenings" to put on these day long events. They traveled all the way from Mass. to hold this event!

These boys were serious soldiers!

Odesco in a contemplative moment~

Union soldier Daddy during target practice...don't worry, these are just 'official' cap guns!

P practicing before the rains hit...

L enjoyed the grub...corn bread and baked beans cooked over an open fire~

Earlier in the day, the soldiers also received a ration of hard tack and beef jerky!

My handsome hubby waiting his turn in the grub line~

G, Odesco, C

A very wet and cold G !!

Mercy keeping warm and dry in a poncho made by Mimi~

Mrs. Matson from Historical Happenings, giving the 'nurses' their instruction prior to the first battle~

The Union forces engaged in battle! Can you find L,C, and Odesco??

Here the Union forces (with P in the lead carrying the flag) march 'in formation' to meet the Confederates after the day of battles. Each individual battle was scored (based on a number of critereia including the # of soldiers 'wounded' and 'killed', trivia questions answered correctly in the medic tent, and dramatic performances by the soldiers and nurses) After this, the winning team was announced...

The Confederates won... not true to history but still a memorable day filled with learning!! The Union then lay their arms down and presented their flag to the Confederate Captain.

The whole gang of participants!

This is one tired soldier!! After arriving home, we all changed out of our wet and muddy clothes. The kids were exhausted...L fell asleep on the couch and the girls tried to get him upstairs...this is as far as he made it--he slept on these steps for over an hour before Daddy scooped him up to bed!

Sleep, soundly little soldier!!