It has been a very long time since I could take my kiddos to the Zoo. This winter has been extremely mild and we took the opportunity to go on a Saturday in January. NO SNOW! A warm 43 degrees. Kids loved it. I spent little money as my Dad and I caroled in our 1860's Dickens outfits this Christmas at the Hogle Zoo so we got four free tickets (he gave me his two free ones) and then we packed in our lunch. Such fantastic bonding time with them!
Mark once again did an amazing job with the boys and their Derby cars. William wanted his to look "cool" not so much win and Thomas wanted his to win and not care about looks. It ended up being the opposite for both of them. Williams car did great and placed 2nd on most races and Thomas'...well, he tried. His wheel had problems before the race started. Halfway through he race Thomas was running around the gym playing basketball, so he didn't really seem to care...which is good I guess. 
It's that time of year where we start our Civil War Reenacting. Spring is in the air, snow is melting, and sewing is at its peak to get ready! Thomas already tried his outfit on the other night, so it was William's turn. He was such a good sport. He had three shirts to try on. I still have to take off every button except the top two and sew the shirt closed in front starting from the bottom up, but other than that I think his outfit turned out great.
This is his summer shirt. Notice there is no flap over the collar? It's officially period correct!
I have to make his neck tie thicker and wider, but all I had for the picture is a thin black ribbon.
He was sweet after wards when I asked him to get changed. He asked if he could stay in it and "Play Civil War with Thomas". Thomas was excited and wanted to get back into his outfit, but I could just see them rough housing and ruining them before our first event. William wanted to know who was the bad guys and who were the good guys. I told him the South was the good guys and the North was the bad. He asked me how I knew and the first thing that came out of my mouth without thinking was, "Because Grandpa Bowman said so." I guess I could have gone into detail, but his little mind is not quite old enough to handle all the politics that go into it so when he is a few years older I give him the low down. But as far as right now we portray Southerners and he can question it later;)
I picked up this $2.00 bed skirt at a second hand store. Lydia has her dresses already to wear but no petticoat to go under them. Girls her age wore layers and layers of under pinnings, but I thought with how non-feminine she is, putting her is layers and layers of frilly things was not going to be easy so I am easing her into all this with one big petticoat (and she will also wear her pantaloons..or as she calls them "pants" which makes it much easier to get on her). 
Here is the dress over her new petticoat. I asked her to smile. It was a forced smile, but I'll take it.
Barley hanging on emotionally..
(With a clinched fist) "I DONE MOM...I DONE!" The ribbon is what did her in. I learned real fast that that was the wrong thing to put on her. 
