Celebrating Ben's Birthday

We decided a long time ago that every other year the kids could have a party.  On the off years, we do a family activity that is bigger than what we would normally do.  Ben wanted to go to The Hale Farm for the Civil War Re-enactment day.  Despite his face in this picture, he loved it!

I found Honest Abe walking around.  He gave the girls a penny.  The town is full of 'actors' that do re-enactments, volunteers that travel from town to town to dress up.  They live in tents, cook food outside, play with town that would be similar to that time period, and sweat a LOT.  We talked with one of these families for about 30 minutes while our kids played with their kids.  It would be a fun weekend away for a vacation, although NOT when it pours rain! 

This was so sad to me.  When the battle started, the spectators started cheering.  My eyes filled with tears.  This is brother against brother, father against son.  I hate that women filled picnic baskets to watch on the hillside.  I hate that our country was torn apart, although I understand the need for it.  This day, I finally just sat down and played with Mitchell; I couldn't watch anymore.  I didn't care about the strategy or the men hidden in the trees; I just wanted everyone to get along and be safe. 

We were able to pet one of the Union soldiers horses - just beautiful.  Ben decided he wanted to be a soldier for Halloween...a Union soldier - because that is the 'good' side.  As hard as that is for me to swallow, being a Texas-girl, I'm proud of Ben for choosing to be on the side that is against slavery.  We've had many discussions on this subject and concept.

*Side note - we were reading a Magic Tree House book last summer about the Civil War.  The kids came with me to one of my pre-natal checks.  My OB is black, but the kids had never met him before.  Here we were, reading about slavery and fighting against it, and Emily and Annie were asking more in depth questions about WHY people thought that was okay.  Again, another learning experience...

Also, Ben is NOT going to be a Union Officer.  I have looked and looked everywhere and all costumes his size seem to be out of stock.  He didn't want to be General Robert E. Lee from the Confederacy.  So, I found another costume that he is excited about: A Patriot - from the Revolutionary War.  I like this war better anyway, so we're all happy!