Well, despite sick kids, we headed out to Arizona for the Renaissance Festival on Monday. I knew that if I didn't just go, it would never happen. It was me and my five youngest kids. Pierce is almost 14 and is very helpful. We got in late on Monday and had to set up the pop-up tent trailer in the dark. I had never done it before, but Pierce really knew what he was doing, thank goodness!! The next morning we headed to the faire. Most of it was pretty commercial and there were a lot of shops selling things. But it was definitely an experience. The buildings were permanent and really cool. On out way in, there were tons of school kids waiting with their classes and unfortunately some were making comments about our family being in costume. This got to my 11yo and he had a bit of an attitude the rest of the day. The jousting match was a little lame, but still gave the kids an idea what it would have been like. After lunch we found the area where they do the reenactment of daily living. This was, of course, the stuff we really came for. There was a glass blower, weavers, spinners, candle makers, etc. Most of the people working there were a couple of HS families so there were kids. It was awesome. There were some nice examples of the buildings and furniture.
We also had fun buying some cool things. (xxx) got a nifty wooden bow. (xxx) and (xxx) both wanted some little dragons that sit on your shoulder and you can make them move with a cable down your sleeve. (xxx) got sealing wax and a seal. I got a wall hanging. Of course, everyone that worked there was in costume and I came away definitely feeling like our costumes were very lame. But it gave me a lot of ideas!
We headed home after the faire because kids had activities on Wed. We took a different route home and experience a hair-raising drive into a deep canyon with a gorge. When we got to the bottom and pulled over to see the river, my brakes were smokin'!! And that was with taking the overdrive off! I wouldn't take that road again. But in the end we got home safe and sound.
Today we took a tour of our local newspaper. An early being there experience for Gutenberg. The newspaper was awesome. We learned so much. They even gave us a printing plate to take home. We also did a tour of a bank last week. A being there related to money. Rebecca
Field trip to the bank. This was a neat field trip. We saw everything behind the scenes. The vaults, the safes, how the tellers send things to the drive up, etc.
At the faire. We had just arrived.
In front of the jousting arena.
This lad was making a net.
This girl was making yarn dolls. She gave (xxx) one to take home.
The kids with the spinner. She also showed us her drop spindle.
The funnest thing the boys did. A game where you tried to knock your opponent off the log with a sack. After this their costumes looked very authentic with straw stuck all over their jerkins.
The end of a long day.The jesters wishing us a good journey.
The King's chancellor took a final picture with us outside the gates. You can see (xxx) and (xxx)'s dragons and (xxx)'s bow
The river at the bottom of the gorge
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