Olde Sturbridge Village

We spent 2 days at Olde Sturbridge Village and had a ball.

We've been to a lot of museums over the years and this one felt special as I had the feeling it might be the last time we go as this group.  The boys are now 20, 18 & 12.  We were so very, very lucky to find 2 solid days where we could all free up our schedules to have time together.  That in itself was amazing.  So off we went on a trip planned only a couple of days in advance.  We were lucky to find neighbors to watch the house and animals and with packing food to keep the costs low we made it happen!  The boys looking over the sheep paddock.

Discovering a trundle bed in a house set up to touch things.

We played graces as a family as well as other games they've set out.  Here the boys run around with hoops.  The "hoopy" jokes kept us laughing for a while.  I love how the boys interact and play with language.  I love how they engage in all of it and join in.  They joined tug of war when it was offered, they tried on shoes...

Here one enjoys the freeman farm.

Taking a break on a bridge in the hot afternoon sun.

We toured the mill pond and river by boat.

Petted the animals when we could.

Took photos...

And relaxed back at the hotel.  Here John shows us his handstand.  Still a kid that one.

The older boys were happier to play dice games poolside while their brother swam for the 2nd time of the visit.

What made this museum special--apart from other museums, was the interpreters.  What wonderful people at Sturbridge.  From the tinsmith to the 

teamsters to the

shoe maker or 

a farmer who had to join the militia.  It was a great experience to talk with the people there.  

Maybe it won't be the last time but if it was...I enjoyed every minute with my "little boys" while we were there.

Graduation and June happenings

Graduation!  We were so happy to all go and see this middle boy graduate from CATA.  His four years at the Cocheco Arts and Technology Academy have been a wonderful experience.  Lots and lots of performing has happened over the years and that night was no exception.  Here he is playing with the guitar ensemble before the ceremony.  Unfortunately the rain moved their show inside the school instead of outside at the clamshell where they had planned to hold graduation.  It was a tight fit to get everyone inside.  

He did walk up and receive his diploma but neither John nor I could get a very good shot of that.  Here are our 2 attempts.  

Back at home a week later (after another week of performances by jazz & rock band as well as guitar ensemble) we had our own little celebration.  His graduation present of choice was a Bouzouki.  We managed to find a used one that he fell in love with and here he is playing it on his first day with that instrument.  It's an "irish mandolin" and sounds beautiful for the celtic songs that he loves to play so much.  He is a finger style guitarist and although he can and will play jazz, rock, classical and other songs put in front of him...his passion is for historical music and celtic music.  I often wonder what his future will hold...but with his incredible enthusiasm for life and happy attitude...the sky is the limit with him.  He's taking a "gap" year and he's begun blogging about it here 

We love living in our little community.  When we had jobs that required a tractor we need to look no further than a neighbor up the street.  We brush hog for neighbors when they need it.  It's just what you do in a rural community we think.  Items travel around amongst the neighbors as needed.  This year we even bought into the CSA (community supported agriculture) at the NH Farm Museum which is just 4 miles away from us.  These photos are from the first 2 weeks of our share.  Love it!  

June also had me traveling away again for a trail ride.  This is my home away from home.  This was more than a trail ride though, it was an Endurance race and 70 horses were camping at this fairgrounds for the night.  We had wonderful weather!  I was able to sleep in my tent on the truck bed without the fly so I could look out and see stars or peek on my horse as he was laying down for a little rest himself before the big day.  Love this experience.

Do you recognize the tractor?  Yup, it's pulling a "boat float" in the 4th of July parade.  I love our little town.