Knotts Berry Farm Summer Fun: Ghost Town Alive

Ghost Town has a new interactive atmosphere for the summer. We had SO much fun yesterday. We were only there for a few hours (we're season pass holders) and ended up staying in Ghost Town the entire time. I know it's against the teen code to even admit, but my two teens loved being involved in all the town business and the 7 year old loved feeling included, looking for characters to deliver messages and letters to.

If you or your children are shy or non-joiners you can still enjoy the hands on aspect.  At the end of the block where the blacksmith is, the toy barn is now a livery. There's a couple horses and a donkey you can pet.

Across from the General Store is the Assay Office and the laundry, where you can pretend to wash and hang clothes on the clothes line. Next to that is the barber, get a custom mustache or a set of mutton chops finely groomed (drawn/painted) on your face. While you're there you might over hear some news about the Mayfield's threatening to take over Calico.

Right past Calico Grill is the new dress shop. Try on a fancy dress or skirt and snap a pic. Don't be startled if you hear a ruckus outside, probably a card game gone bad next door at the sheriff's...or a couple bandits getting locked up.

While we were there, a gold miner shared news of a robbery in progress at the bank...the sheriff hollered for all of us to follow him and check it out. Oh my! A gun fight broke out between two bandits on the balconies above the bank and the saloon! If you're a witness, you will be asked to file a report at the sheriff's station or draw a wanted poster at the bank.

If you'd rather stay away from the fray, mosey on into the Post Office. The postal clerk is unable to leave his post and may have a letter for you to deliver to the Mayor at Town Hall.

When we arrived two younguns' were getting hitched! They received a certificate of matrimony from the town of Calico and everything. We delivered the letter to the Mayor but...he wasn't too happy about what it said. He told us not to tell anyone.

We may have accidentally let it slip as we were playing match-maker, giving the paper boy some love advice. He's got the googly eyes for the perty daughter of a town official...but you didn't hear it from us!

There are a couple perty, new teachers at the school house. They are looking for dates for the Hoe Down that evening. There's a certain barber and snake-oil salesmen, I mean medicine-man, that has his wagon parked near by. I wonder why he's always hangin' around, he's too old to be in school? 

Do your civic duty and be sure to vote in the local election, for town Mayor of Calico, rumor has it, the race might be a close one. Don't forget to become a bona fide citizen as well and sign the guest book at Town Hall before you leave.

Keep your eyes and ears open, there are shady and shifty characters everywhere. You never know what you may see and hear in Calico, where you become part of the adventure!

Halloween 2015

We started the day off with a trip to Knott's Berry Farm. I knew they had trick-R-treating for the little ones in ghost town. I love dressing up with my kiddos, so why not?

As we entered, the young woman at admissions said: Now, this is good parenting! She was impressed that I would dress up with my kid, matching even. Plus she knew who we were, sot hat was fun. Actually, all the employees at each trick-R-treating stop, knew we were Team Rocket from Pokemon. They each took a moment to talk to Kurtis as if he was James. It was so sweet.

Liberty did not want to wear her costume {Umbreon, a pokemon} to Knott's. Sam, as Ash Ketchum {Pokemon trainer} didn't mind--easy since his DIY costume easily passed as civilian wear. Haha.

Ready to serve!

Later, we set up outside to pass out candy and chili. I returned to serving chili again this year, after all the requests last year. I purchased 150 cups but I didn't make nearly enough. Well, who's counting but I would have liked to hand out more. So we passed out about 50 cups of chili and of course, candy!

It was a highlight when a group of chaperoned developmentally disabled adults, ALL in costumes, came by. We offered the chili and a couple took it, very gratefully. One did not realized and as they were walking away, he realized his friends had chili and he didn't. He looked disappointed. The chaperones explained he could go back and grab a cup too. He was so happy to come back and be given a cup of chili. They were all very polite and well mannered too.

Pikachu, Ethan, Hilbert, Jesse, James, Umbreon, Misty
Ash Ketchum
Team Pokemon!

Of course some people were hesitant, mothers urging their baby-daddy's to try it first. lol Once he gave approval, then they would take some for themselves. Hilarious.

It's not a major deal or very evangelistic outreach opp. It's something though. It's my personal way to GIVE, freely to my neighborhood and community, from my God-loving heart.

A couple of the middles friends, my nephews and brother and sister-in-love all came by to help and hang out. We were ALL coordinated, dressed in the Pokemon cartoon theme.

Like last year, the neighborhood gave off mixed signals. Only a few houses were giving out candy. Literally only one or two per block. As per our annual tradition, we stopped by the neighbor who hosts a drive way dance party every Halloween. He holds a very informal dance contest, with bigger and bigger candy prizes every year. Sam took home the prize! 

Drive-way dance contest winner. 

Another 20 Days to Celebrate

We home-educate through a public charter school. We've been with this educational option for a few years now. Every twenty days, we meet with, what they title; an educational specialist. The children provide work samples from every subject and I provide a list of all the work they have done, topics that have been covered and skills learned, for that learning period, to be added to their 'learning record'or 'portfolio'.

Today was our twenty day meeting. I used to get extremely stressed by these meetings. It started 3 years ago when I was finishing my own education and the Mr and I separated. We developed a pattern of anxiety before the meetings.

The meetings never went as bad as we all imagined and once they were over, we would feel so relieved. The next year, I was finished with school but the pattern of anxiety was still there. I intentionally worked very hard to undue the stress we had associated with these monthly meetings.

It took all of that year after I graduated for us trust each other again. For them to trust that I was going to keep my cool. For me to trust that they were and would be, responsible for their own work and samples. For all of us to trust that everything was going to be ok.

Since that time of reestablishing our sense of peace, we've had a few changes, triggering the anxiety again. I work outside the house now, as well as from home. No matter what though, the meetings still seem to go very well and we leave feeling positive.

We have annual passes to Knotts Berry Farm which include a a meal plan. I had a couple client cancellations and didn't have to go into work so I took my ktbunch to Knott's and 'çelebrated' another successful meeting.

Even after 16 years of home-educating, I am still figuring things out and don't have it all together. It's more challenging now in some ways, but I am proud of what we have all accomplished and over come together, as a family. I love these kids and I love home-educating!