Saturday, April 28, 2012

Day Six: On the road again,....


It is always hard to believe that our journey is coming to an end when Saturday morning rolls around. The week has been full and memorable. We will miss the comfy beds, outstanding breakfast, and waking up with our friends.  We have enjoyed a full week of exploration and discovery, colonization, revolution, and the founding of a new nation. Of course this was to be expected however it is the many unexpected joys and blessings of the week that we will be excited to share with you upon our return.

Thank you for you prayers and provision for this incredible opportunity!

P.S.
When you are visiting a post, if you click on any picture a image viewer will display allowing you to view a small collection of the pictures from the week. Look forward to a more comprehensive collection in the next couple of days! Huzzah!

Friday, April 27, 2012

Day 5: Yorktown

Day Five: Yorktown
Today was a glorious finish to what has been an adventurous and exciting week!  The weather was incredible and the students were fully engaged in the learning opportunities!

The first stop on our itinerary was the Yorktown Battlefield


These ladies have us covered!
Our Tour Guide was very knowledgeable and a great stroyteller!


He also kept us moving and took us out on the battlefield - Way Cool!


The reality of the sacrifices made and the lives lost was starting to sink in.


Mr. Ingram is standing in front of Redoubt 10 where the Americans layed seige to Yorktown.

And just as if on cue, a beautiful bald eagle soared overhead and took our breathe away.
Next stop, Victory Monument and the Official Group shot.
You would think by Friday we would have this process down. Riddle: How many teachers and administrators does it take to organize fifth grade students for a picture :)

Take 1: Students, teachers and Mr. Ingram



Take 2: Students, chaperons, and Mr. Ingram
Tah Dah!
We are so thankful for our bus driver, Joseph and our Colonial Connectins tour guide, Garmann.
They have both been with us before and it is our hope that they will be with us again.
We have made them honorary members of the Geneva family!
Next we moved on to the Yorktown Victory Center and an afternoon of hands-on learning.  We have lots of great pictures and here are a few.........



































Day Four: Shirley Plantation & Monticello, ahhhhhh

Despite a soggy start our spirits would not be dampened and the day would not disapppoint! 

Shirley Plantation has been a wonderful addition to our itinerary and our visit today was no exception.  It is a beautiful place that offers so much in history from its beginnings in 1613 all the way up to today. Eleven generations of the same family have lived and prospered here and they are gracious to share this special place with the rest of us!  This is where we began our morning learning about the Hill-Carter family, life on a plantation, Slave Life, and the Role of Religion.


Then after a delicious lunch we were off to Monticello one of the highlights of our journey.  The grounds are breathtaking and as we walk through the home of Thomas Jefferson we are inspired by his many interests, talents, and his love and dedication to the founding of our great nation.


We ended the day with a pizza party on the campus of The Covenant School, a sister Classical Christian School in Charlottesville, VA. We met Mr. Ingram's friend, the headmaster and were entertained with a Lacrosse game and a picture perfect Virginia evening!


 

Most humorous moment of the day: Mr. Ingram was caught sleeping in church which gave the preacher an opportunity to demonstrate the tickle stick
Make sure you look at the faces!


Chaperon pictures of the day
Mr. Figler - Nurse for the day, pink bag and all!

Today was everything we could have asked  for and more! Tomorrow - It is WAR!