American History…the fun way!

The kids showed such an interest in the American History at Greenfield Village during the 4th of July Spectacular, we took them back for a full day.

Here is a glimpse of the parts of American History the kiddos {and their parents} learned today!
They loved being able to ride on different types of early transportation throughout our day!
Family Ride in Henry Ford’s Model T






They were lucky enough to get the very front row of the train and were able to watch the Engineer add coal to the train.

They were able to watch and learn about several famous American by watching 15 minute plays throughout the day.
They LOVED this play about the Wright Brothers.

The boys especially enjoyed touring the bicycle shop and the Wright Brother’s Original house that has been transferred to the village from Dayton, Ohio. (Zach got a thrill climbing out the window)


Ava has recently fallen in the love with the Laura Ingalls Wilder books, so what a TREAT to get to hear her story in person!

Of course Ava enjoyed being the teacher at the McGuffy School House.


Next up we visited the

My Train Loving Boys LOVED this stop…and little did they know it ended with a BIG surprise!

They got to go down some stairs and look up to see all the part under a train! WOW!

As we were leaving the round house, one of the engineers was rotating the track and let the kids help him!




Levi, especially wanted to visit Thomas Edison’s Lab.

This was such an incredible day! I love to have fun, but I especially love it when fun and learning go hand in hand!

Fun and Fabulous Fourth

We had a super unique Fourth of July this year! We are visiting Grandma and Grandpa Donaldson this year for the Fourth.

The day started with some simple “Bubble Fun” in a cool 75 degree front yard!
Then we had an awesome opportunity to attend a Fourth of July event at the Greenfield Village, part of the Henry Ford Museum. “Entering Greenfield Village is like stepping into an 80-acre time machine. It takes you back to the sights, sounds and sensations of America’s past. There are 83 authentic, historic structures, from Noah Webster’s home, where he wrote the first American dictionary, to Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park laboratory, to the courthouse where Abraham Lincoln practiced law. It’s a place where you can choose your lunch from an 1850s menu or spend a quiet moment pondering the home and workshop where the Wright brothers invented the airplane. Greenfield Village is a celebration of people — people whose unbridled optimism came to define modern-day America.”
The evening started with old fashion lawn games for the kiddos!






We paused a moment from our games to salute an army from 1776 marching by…


We took a brief rest to listen to some ragtime music under the Oak Tree!

Then we found our spots for the Detroit Symphony Concert and Fireworks among about 6,000 other fellow Americans.


In addition to hear the William Tell Overture with real cannon blast, we also enjoyed A Fireworks show….of course!

Happy Birthday America!