Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

A friend called yesterday morning and asked if we were available that evening for a trip up to Old Sturbridge Village. They were having a Christmas in Candlelight event and I was so glad we could join them. So after the boys spent a full day of fun out with old friends, we picked up B early at work and stayed patient through a couple of setbacks which put us in at 1/2 hour late, and were happy to meet up with our friends in Massachusetts!

We got to see some chestnuts roasting on an open fire in the very first building we went into. We got to taste them too - yum! Seems that the chestnuts R found may not be edible, so we got some tips on how to tell, and will check them out again next year. (Gotta love the how the connections keep happening!)

In no particular order, we had an opportunity to make some crafts, which we plan to hang on the Christmas tree in hopes that Santa will fill them up with treats. And we enjoyed some authentic mulled cider, which was better than the cider and cinnamon sticks we enjoy heated up at home.

We enjoyed a ride on a horse-drawn sleigh, which was so much smoother than a typical carriage ride (remember to click on the photos to enlarge them).






A wonderful bonfire warmed up our butts quite nicely, as did the numerous cups of tea, hot chocolate and cider which the general store provided free to members.

We also had the opportunity to visit with Santa, although E decided he would wait to visit the "helper" he knows and is comfortable with at the hardware store today. Father Christmas was also there, but I encouraged the boys to join me outside when he started talking about the history of Santa Claus; no need to fool around with the very firm belief still existing here.




B let himself be coaxed into doing some Virginia Reel dancing, while our friend L jumped right up to join in. The rest of us relaxed and watched:

We came home with a store bought Christmas ornament for our tree, and free ones which they handed out at the tinsmith which are just as beautiful. We had a really "wonderful" evening. I'm so very glad we went. And this definitely convinced me that we need to renew our OSV membership; I had been ambivalent about it till now.

The absolute only complaint about the entire evening is that this photo came out the way it did:







argh.

What is it?

Back in September, R brought this home from a morning walk with Nagy Papa. We considered cutting it open to see what was inside, but it looked so cool, we thought we'd just enjoy its present state another day. It was very prickly, and actually hurt to hold. I don't remember how he got it home.

Well, by the time Dad got home that evening it looked like this!

Needless to say, we decided not to cut it open it all. Glad we did, because the next day it looked like this:
Well, imagine our surprise to find what was inside! This city girl had no idea what a chestnut looks like when it falls from a tree. And I must admit it was so much more fun just watching it day by day, instead of looking it up to find out what it was.
The pleasure we received from checking on it and watching it bloom right before our eyes was so enjoyable.

And just as enjoyable was seeing this a couple of weeks later at the Durham Fair.

It's amazing how connections happen if we just pay attention and recognize them. R was so excited to see these at the fair and know what they were. And he was also very happy to see they won a blue ribbon.

Of course, we couldn't resist touching them and enjoying that familiar prickly feeling too.

A Pirate Show

A homeschooling family here in CT organized a show at a local library; a pirate who performs Cajun, Zydeco and New Orleans music for kids. He was supposed to have performed from 1:00 till 3:00, but the show went from about 1:15 till 2:15. He would've been a lot better if parents got in free. Fifteen dollars to see this guy was simply not worth it. He is the kind of guy that the libraries should pay for and invite the neighborhood kids to see him for free.

The boys had fun though. But when I asked R, he admitted that the show wouldn't have been if we hadn't run into some old friends there.

A few weeks ago we watched National Geographic: Blackbeard - Terror at Seaand the boys learned about the reality of being a pirate. The show was really terrific, blending acted out scenes with facts to create a captivating program. R loved it, and was thrilled to be able to recognize Blackbeard's flag at the Renaissance Faire last month (never did get around to blogging about that - maybe I'll find time to go back).

Anyhow, when the homeschool show pirate asked the kids if it would be fun to be a pirate mine said "no". E still loves a good game of pretend pirate, and playing with his pirate action figures, so I had to chuckle when I heard the response. I guess he can appreciate "pretending" to be a pirate vs. "being" a pirate.

Aquarium and Blueberry Picking

At the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, where we spent Fun Friday yesterday, there was a permanent exhibit of model ships. R really enjoyed the whole exhibit, and said that he wants to build a model ship one day. When we saw this particular ship R told me what kind it is (he knew them all) and said we had seen one like it at Mystic Seaport. When we approached it I read the description and it said it is a model of a real ship that went out of commission in 1985, and was donated to Mystic Seaport. What a cool moment when we realized we had actually set foot on it and seen the inside!

The best part of this aquarium is that its focus is on the marine life of Long Island Sound. We really enjoyed seeing the river otters and the touch tank devoted entirely to the Sound. E was soaking wet by the time we were done. The moon snails were the coolest, but we also enjoyed learning about horseshoe crabs. Apparently they hide in the depths and only come up to shallow ground once a year to mate. We were lucky enough to have been at the beach in June, when this apparently happens:

The aquarium also had a great display of residue one is likely to find on the beaches along the coast of Long Island Sound. We recognized some things and vowed to remember others. "When can we go to the beach again, Mom?"

I also dished out another 14 bucks for an Imax Movie; Ocean Wonderland. I couldn't help feeling like it was a show on TV that described everything you can see at an aquarium. Yes, the screen was large, but so what? Ho hum.

R decided he likes the Mystic Aquarium better. I think they are both different and have merit. However, I most definitely would not get a membership to Norwalk, and would be more likely to use one for Mystic. And the traffic coming home from Fairfield County was a nightmare.

Today we enjoyed some blueberry picking. Nagy Papa came with us. We were also happy to run into some friends while there!
Mrs. W. was the one who told me about this farm, so running into her and the girls was very cool. It was a 40 minute drive for us, but well worth it. We ended up with about 12 pounds of blueberries, and had a very enjoyable morning. Nagy Papa had fun too, I think. His tongue certainly got blue enough. He was also reminded of his own Nugy Mama who used to adore picking fresh fruit every year when she went to visit Uncle Richie out in Long Island. He misses her deeply.

We enjoyed some Chinese food afterwards, and after dropping Nugy Papa off at home we spent the afternoon watching Nanny McPhee, which was really enjoyable. After it was over we had to go back and watch the food fight again. Ah, life with boys.

E learned how to work the shredder on the food processor completely alone today, and also got a look at fractions via measuring cups. R is currently all about the Durham Fair. He is preparing his lego submission. We are all starting to think about photographs to enter (even Nugy Papa) and E is planning some sort of building made out of soda cans.

E and I have just started reading James and The Giant Peach. We are loving Roald Dahl - our favorite so far was The Twits. E has a dark sense of humor. R and I are enjoying the audiobook Eragon in the car. E gets bored though and we have to compromise on how often we listen. (On the way there, or on the way back?) So it will take a while to get through it.