Sunday Afternoon Step Back in Time

My kids LOVE traditions!  Once we've done something more than once, it becomes a tradition in their minds, and it must then be repeated every year.

One of our annual traditions is linked to the small, private, elementary school our kids have attended.  (Waiting for the day when Keziah gets to go there too!)  Each year the older grades pick apples and turn them into applesauce.  The head teacher takes the applesauce to the Fall Festival held every year in Missiouri Town 1855 which is a wonderful area that recreates life like it was long ago.  Over an open fire, in the big black, copper pots, she spices and simmers the sauce into applebutter.  YUM!!!  We have lost count at just how many years we have made the trek to the Fall Festival for the opportunity to stir the pot.

Josiah was first in line for his turn to stir the pot.

 Elijah enjoyed his first year as an applesauce preparer

as well as his turn stirring.

 Miranda handled the figure eight technique like a pro.

 Big sis helping out her lil' sis

 So is Caleb too old and too cool for his turn this year?

Nope!  Some things are just timeless.

 Other traditions surround this annual adventure.  We must spend an adequate amount of time playing in the Children's Area.  Hoops and sticks, stilts, sacks for racing, ropes for spontaneous games of tug o' war bring us back year after year.  Some years, we have allowed the kids to spend extra money at the archery area for the opportunity to shoot a bow and arrow.  This year they added a lasso practice activity.  Mount the saddled sawhorse and ride through your imagination to lasso the bale of hay with a blue bull's head stuck inside.  FUN!!!

The girls joined a team and pulled with all their might

Caleb decided to take on his younger sibs

 Keziah spent lots of time in the grass
or under a pile of people...
...giggling.

 Miranda tugging with all her might.

 Elijah's lasso lesson

 Josiah getting a little tied up by his lasso instructor

Keziah's big toss

The little boys and Keziah, enjoying her new freedom and responsibility of all her birthday money and an allowance, decided to invest in some new stuff.  The boys love finding wooden swords here every year!  We finally let them by some last year.  This year they were back to replace their broken swords.  Keziah decided that she couldn't miss out on an opportunity to properly outfit herself with weapondry and jewlery.  She purchased a jade necklace and a wooden dagger.  (All princesses have daggers.  Didn't you know?  I was lectured all the way to the car on proper weapons for princes and princesses.)

 Have I even mentioned the food yet?  Lots and lots of food!  Some years people are begging for some hot apple cider.  Other years the cold drinks are the most popular.  They had funnel cakes, cotton candy and tempting turkey legs this year.  However, we have our faithful selections that we always walk away with each year. 

Kettle Korn!  Must have kettle korn!  We used to be a one large bag family.  I always had zip-lock baggies in the car so the kids could fill up their own baggie and much their way home.  We've grown to a two large bag family now since our number have kept growning.  Plus the kids love to pack a baggie for the snack at school.

Homemade root beer and cream soda!  We are so dedicated (and cheap budget concious) that we save our root beer bottles to reuse each year.  Refills are much less expensive than buy a new bottle.  We've collected our bottles through the years, wash them well, store them for the entire year, and then get them out just for this special trip.  The kids love it because we'll even let them have two refills while we are enjoying all the fun. 

We must admit that Keziah has us a little worried about her future now.  Last year she wouldn't touch the root beer.  It was yucky!  This year...she was chugging it down!  That girl uncorked her bottle with passion and down both refills quickly.  Right now we are ever so thankful that it is just ROOT beer.

She was so sweet as we wandered through the park enjoying the sights.  Just like all of us right now, Keziah was making her own plans for next year...when Hadassh will be with us.  According to the authority, "Hadassah will love this!"