From Plasticine to the Real Thing!

Wow, the kids were excited to come here! It was a brisk but sunny day and we headed off to explore the native village. This was particularly exciting since they knew they were going to be coming and I had been priming them with "when we're at the village you can see..."

Our guide was impressed with the kids too, they were very interested, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Do you know what the fence around the village is called? I enjoyed our guide as well, she really took the time to explain things to the kids, especially when they were in the long house. But we're not there yet, so I'll let you look at the pictures first :)

Talking about the palisade. Oops, gave it away.

They're racing the length of the longhouse. It was a good way for them to see just how big those buildings were.

Ha ha! The mob scene at the entrance to the longhouse.

Taking it all in.

Most kids tried out the pestle thingy, pounding the corn kernels into a powder.

There's our guide in the middle of it all, explaining things to the kids. Wow. Can you imagine living in this?!

This was the first year that I realized that the kids could actually try on the clothing there! Not that they were all that keen on putting it on, I couldn't manage to get anyone to pose for me.

Strange how Jonah's mom wouldn't put Vivienne in there eh? ;)

Fire starters! Fire attempters may be more accurate.

Getting ready to watch the pro at work. She got that fire started in no time!

The firestarter:

She had quite the rapt audience too.

Off to another longhouse to hear the legend of Turtle Island. I was actually enjoying the skeptical looks on their faces as she told how North America was made.

Native games!

The boys loved all the wrestling that they got to do.

Playing Rattlesnake and Hunter.

Preparing for their native necklace making.

We then had lunch and went for a stroll around the wee lake. Needless to say I did not go around the whole lake and even more needless to say they could all go faster than me.

Getting ready for our stroll. I sat upon that bench there and listened to them walk around the lake. Yes, I could hear them every step of the way :) So much for being quiet and finding wildlife as our guide suggested.

:) They were hemmed in with an adult in front and adults behind. No racing around the lake this year!

Mr. Twisty

Class picture...er plus a couple I think :)