Krystal's Kent House Field Trip

Today I had the opportunity to spend time with Krystal. She always loves it when she gets one on one attention from David or I. I was so excited to get the chance to spoil her a little.

We went to the Kent House which was built in the early 1800's. We were able to walk through a see what life would have been like back then.

The Back of the Kent House, see how it is up off the ground. That was because the Bayou Rapides would flood and they needed to keep the house up out of the water.

Krystal smiling pretty.
Krystal and a friend posing.

Krystal and her teacher Mrs. Crawford. Mrs. Crawford has taught all of my girls so far. She is very fun but strict. When they get out of her class they always do super well in the 5th grade.

Krystal and several of her classmates.

They were able to learn how to make several things before they went on the tour. Here Krystal is watching a nice woman dressed in period clothes making a yarn doll.

One of the yarn dolls. I took a picture so we could remember how they were made. I thought it might be a fun summer project for the girls.

They also made sand art.

Krystal has started liking the LSU colors, I'm not sure why but it is cute.

Here the lady is showing them how to make corn husk dolls. It is the same idea as the yarn dolls only you use corn husks that are soaked overnight.

The Black Smith Shop

The Barn

This is where they make sugar. The doors open up to a huge fire place! The fire is used to boil the sugar cane.

There are 4 large bowls like this that are used in the process.

This was our tour guide. He was quite a cantankerous old man but he was very knowledgeable.

I just really like this tree.

Krystal listening to the tour guide.

The milk house. Can you imagine having to make butter by churning it? Nope I just don't think that life is for me. I'm so glad that I was born when I could go to the store to get my butter.

The mild bucket and other milking tools.

The bottle tree. This tree is used to help ward off evil spirits. If someone got sick they would breathe into a bottle cap it and then throw it into the river. They believed that the evil spirits liked color so it would go to the bottle. Hmmm

An herb garden was a very important part of a plantation. It was used for medicine, seasoning and of course the scent for soaps.

Krystal smelling a root beer plant the kids thought it really smelled like root beer. LOL

French Lavender was a favorite smell for soaps.

How would you like to have to cook in this kitchen. YIKES

Krystal and a friend.