rebels and redcoats

We went to Old Sturbridge Village last weekend for their Rebels to Redcoats event. "The Village is transformed into a military camp spanning over 150 years in early American history." The soldiers, etc, aren't employed by OSV, but rather people who do this for fun. We arrived just in time for the military parade, then dashed off to the Freeman Farm fields to catch a mock battle, heard the fife and drum corps, and talked to the people in the camps about cooking on the fire and life in the 1800s.

The campsites were scattered throughout the village grounds, and the re-enactors were happy to answer questions and expound on their area of expertise.

While Daddy and Dante chat up the man at the saw mill, Lucia tosses some stones into the mill pond.

And while Daddy and Dante talk with one of the British regiments about cooking on the fire, and life as a family of re-enactors, Lucia gets a ride in the play area.


I love this bottle carrier. We were talking to this group (Royal Navy) and when I asked about it, the lieutenant informed us that their sailmaker who made it also knotted the hammocks for Master and Commander. Ah, the lost art of macrame.

bikes and bugs

We went for a bikeride on the Airline Trail with Tucker and Grace. Lucia didn't have a bike, but she ran and kept up with the boys with little trouble.

Some scary monsters we met along the way.

Back at the cranberry bog, this grasshopper couldn't stay away from Dante.

We got a big box of sauce tomatoes from our weekly pickup at the Old Maid's Lane Organic Farm CSA, so we spent a day cutting and cooking and canning them. Here's Dante putting the tomatoes through the food mill. This was our first foray into canning -- I think next time we'll can the tomatoes as whole as possible.

Swinging chicks

Lucia chats with Izzy.

What, no eggs yet? Sheesh!

Dante plays with texture and makes sculpey ornaments.

Fly and Bandit, our speckled sussex girls, get some time on the swing.

Dante braved the interior of the coop to obtain this shot of Peepers -- his wattles are much bigger than those of the girls twice his age.

Sweet 16, poolside

My cousin Joe and Angela threw her daughter Alysha a surprise sweet 16 party, and the kids didn't leave the pool the entire time. Joe installed the diving board for the event, a novelty that quickly met approval with the youngest set. Somehow I missed a shot of Joanne, either off the diving board or skinny dipping after her mom got her dressed a bit earlier than Jo wanted.

Alysha poses with Caroline and Patrick, Jennifer and Peter's kids.

Dante, the 45lb cannonball. splash.

Lucia loves the tubular landing.

Lilly's up, Lulu's on deck.

Snack break!

Return of the Natives

We went back to Van Saun Park a second day, and got a ride on the train, a visit to the saltwater touch tank, and saw some animals we'd missed due to rain the day before.

Mmmm, tastes like tofurkey!

Feed the Bir-, er, Fish

While in New Jersey, we also went to Waterford Gardens in Saddle River. Their main focus is water garden plans, tho they do have some perennials, etc. In the big water garden out front, they have some voracious koi that will eat from your hand.

Lucia, in braids, demonstrates.

Feeding's not enough for Dante, who wants to pet them too.

One of the many types of water lilies and other plants they sell. I like the markings on the lily pad.

Feed the birds, tuppence a bag

We went to visit Nonni and Nono in New Jersey and they took us to Van Saun Park, which boasts a carousel, zoo, small train ride, pony rides, and a playground. In the zoo, they had a small aviary that was home to lots of budgies (most popular type of parakeet, so says the sign). So you buy a tongue depressor with some seeds glued on the end and enter the aviary. The birds all rush at you the moment you take your hand off the seed-crusted end of the stick and start munching. Or waiting in line on your arm to munch. Or pecking those birds who dare try to start munching before their turn.

Dante kept trying to grab one. He did finally manage it, after about 5 sticks.

The initial rush can be a bit overwhelming.

After that bird encounter, we headed to the carousel to ride some larger fowl.

Nonno and Lucia post on her elegant ostrich.

Dragons are sort of bird-relatives, right?

Horse-mad Lucia finally got to ride a pony!

As did Dante.