We spent the 4th of July flying to Virginia. Although, we probably looked like trouble just waiting to happen with our red, white and blue ensembles, 3 backpacks, purse, computer bag and 6 rolling carry ons, I am happy to report that we were quite pleasant to be around.
In a total shocker, we breezed through security, the kids were all perfectly behaved and content for our two flights, our layover time was perfect and I managed to read a book, hold people's babies and relax on the trip.
We arrived in Williamsburg, Virginia (
capital of the Virginia Colony from 1699 to 1780 and center of political events in Virginia leading to the American Revolution -- in case your foreign education left you as lacking in American history events as mine did) just in time to drive down to Colonial Williamsburg for some fireworks. The only problem: the 4th of July is kind of a big deal down there. There were people everywhere and no parking to be found, so Dustin dropped us off while he went to find some parking. Me, the 4 kids, in the dark, in a place Dustin has never been before, spotty cell phone reception and 10,000 people. I have no idea what got into me, but I'm glad I went with it, because it was fabulous.
If you ever get a chance to do it, GO! Hear a reading of the Declaration of Independence, watch
performances from Colonial Williamsburg’s Fifes and Drums, and then a concert before the fireworks
on the lawn in front of the Governor's Palace (I stole that description from the internet). In what can only be attributed to Providence, Dustin managed to find us listening to the William Tell Overture right before the fireworks started. Best show around with a spectacular finale.
It was 10:30 by then, but only 7:30 to our Arizona clocks, so we headed out to eat at the
Dog Street Pub. Best part of the night -- sticky toffee pudding. My kids, who insisted they were too full for dessert, devoured it. I'm glad we refueled because we had to walk a mile to get to our car, but a walk through the William & Mary campus (second oldest college in the US, after Harvard) is never a bad thing.
The next day we met up with my parents, my sister and her girls and 2 of neices for some good old Colonial fun. Everyone was so happy to be reunited!
My sister graduated from William and Mary so she knows all the good spots. First up -- the
Cheese Shop for lunch. My last time visiting my sister, I ordered egg salad and everyone mocked me, so this time I made the appropriate choice and it was delicious -- get the house dressing.
Then we wandered around spending money on awesome hats, fun fifes and realizing how terrible humidity is.
Luke also learned how delicious soda is with some home brewed Root Beer
We did some touristy things and then hit up the William and Mary bookstore where we thought we lost Luke (he was with Dustin) and spent $17 on a basketball (there was no price tag on the ball when we took it up to the register) that somehow got lost before our trip was half way over. FUN!
Our last stop was the
Peanut Shop before we headed out to Jamestown for the ferry. We got out and fed the birds and ran up and down the stairs 800 times.
By the time we got to the hotel, we had about zero energy. . . wait, the ADULTS had zero energy. The kids managed to still bounce off of the walls and run around playing Hide and Go Seek.
We took over the lobby of a hotel for pizza, went for a little walk and managed to find a grove of trees full of FIREFLIES!
As a child we would go visit my dad's family in Pennsylvania every summer and I remember catching fireflies on their lawn every night, usually after a trip to Friendly's for ice cream. By the time we get back East every other year, I've completely forgotten about them, so it's always a fun re-discovery.
My kids got really good at catching them this year. Even Luke.
I'm pretty sure Luke squished a good dozen of them to death. I actually saw pieces fall off of them. Then he's hold it up to me and inform me, "They like me! They won't leave."
And then the next day, we headed out for the beach.
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