Which teaches more? School or life?

February 12...Abraham Lincoln's Birthday
Many of you know of our goal to take pictures in front of all 50 US State Capitals. So far we have had a lot of fun traveling around and gathering these pictures. They are at all times of day and night but each has their own story. this is the story of Springfield, Illinois: Land of Lincoln. It just so happens that this year, Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday was celebrated. And I of course, knowing all random facts, realised that this would be the time to visit this capital. The biggest question...should we pull Katie out of school and Andy out of work for this trip? We decided it would be worth the effort and rearranged clients and teacher conferences and set off. The days leading up to it were full of rain but luck was our lady this trip. Off we went in search of Abe Lincoln, another capital and a little education. After all, what's 2 hours in a car? We arrived and decided we might as well get our picture early before the kids got tired. We arrived in time to ring bells with the city at 12 Noon in honor of Abe. Not quite as spectacular as I was envisioning but we rang nonetheless. We toured the capital where we saw lovely visions in hoop skirts. We also got shiny Lincoln pennies that were being handed out. We ate a picnic on the grounds, made prints of the Lincoln statue rubbings that were in the center square and then hurried off to the Presidential Museum and Library. Quite impressive. this was the only thing we payed for all day and it was a blast. They were handing out free youth t-shirts with Lincoln's face and Gettysburg address posters so the kids were excited with all their souvenirs. (Note Katie wearing the t-shirt the rest of the day) The entire city showed their colors in beautiful costumes. They were walking all over town and we couldn't help but take pictures with some of them. I could totally see getting into this if we lived there.

Check out the soldier. They were some of my favorites.

And then we did it, we found Abraham and Mary Lincoln. They looked fantastic. Baker did not want to take a picture and pouted in the stroller. But the rest of us jumped up there. Mrs. Lincoln used the phrase "I declare, Mr. Lincoln..." and I felt that I had stepped back into Gone With The Wind, which you might remember is one of my favorite movies and books.

Later we were able to convince Baker to pose and the Lincolns were kind enough to take a second picture with us.

Then after touring the White House and Log Cabin, we played in the kids room. Baker was so impressed with all the farm animals that would have lived outside the house. All he and Griffith did was play with them. Katie and Andy read a book about why Mr. Lincoln grew a beard (quite the story, you should look it up) and we were all the smarter for that knowledge. Andy and I were interviewed by a news crew about why we had come to Springfield on this important day and we saw several news crews throughout the day filming all the activities we attended. We heard that Obama was in town, but we never saw him. We headed over to see the flag retrieval at Lincoln's tomb next. It was being done by a Civil War Unit and they played some very touching songs. We grabbed the first soldier we could find and hurriedly snapped a picture. Then we over heard them saying that they would close the tomb so we were some of the last ones let in. We quietly and quickly strolled through the tomb and saw his casket and memorial. It was very endearing to be in this hallowed ground for me. To see someone who truly stood for something and despite ridicule and losing half the nation, fought for someone's rights and humanity. You could feel a quiet spirit and reverence in this place. And Katie immediately popped up with who was buried her and why. She seems fixated on seeing the wax statues of Willie dying in the White House. Also, knowing that 3 out of their 4 sons died of illness young in life and then Abe being shot, causes my heart to go out to Mrs. Lincoln. No wonder everyone thought her mad. I would be mad with grief as well. But what a fantastic resting tribute to this great man. Here is the outside of the tomb

They did a 3 gun salute in his honor before lowing the flag. seeing how long it took them to load these guns from the civil war era makes me wonder how anyone ever won a war. It just takes so long...

The ceremony itself only took the 30 minutes, the impact? well, Katie will probably remember the guns as they were loud and she'll remember the uniforms and putting her hand across her heart as the flag was lowered. My guess, the impact will remain with her for life. Now Baker? Well, he'll never forget the startle of the guns and the drums and the music. He may not remember running out onto the field during the ceremony, but we'll remember the experience...

One of the things we had been told was that you were supposed to rub Abraham's nose at the tomb. It is for good luck. I'm not sure where or how this tradition got started, but you could tell that many did it since his nose is gold, unlike the bronze face. But who could resist a little luck? So rub we did... I mean, really...who needs black eyed peas when you can rub a nose?

And to be sure we all have a fantastic year, we got everyone into the act...yes, even Griffith

And the luck never runs out (like these pictures)

The Soldiers were very patient with our children. They couldn't quite decide which soldier was the coolest to stand with and finally settled on the drummers. Specifically the one in the middle. They were such fantastic kids. We were all tired and hungry and they just kept going and going without a fight (or at least a long lasting one.) We tried to revive them with an M&M treat courtesy of the Keetches and that helped. So thank you Keetches.

We hurried once the flag ceremony was done to be able to tour Abraham's house before it closed. At this point the kids were more than a little tired. They slept for the 6 minutes it took us to get there and then we woke them up. we walked into the visitor center to get tickets (free, but required) and walked in on the birthday celebration. Once again, the timing was perfect. And not only were they serving cake, they had platters of cheese and crackers, punch, fruit and veges. All that was needed to revive the family. We also got into one of the last tours. And, to top it off, they had all the children authors there to sign copies of children's books written about Abe Lincoln. And from 4-4:15 they handed them out free to any child in the visitor center. So of course we walked our two up there and got great books that would have cost 25 dollars otherwise. And Katie has been reading them ever since we got home. In fact, it may have sold me on getting the ones about other presidents in the same series since it was so great. Anyhooo...since Katie skipped school, we also claimed one in the name of Griffith that Katie presented to her kindergarten teacher. Then it was off to the ball. We didn't have tickets and they had told us at the entrance that we could come back and be on standby at 5:30. So we headed over thinking that if we didn't get in, we would just go home. But once again, timing was perfect and we were 13 on the list and got in. Katie was very sad when she saw the beautiful dresses that everyone had on. Tell the truth, so was I...but again, the experience outweighed everything and in we went. Here we are waiting in line to get in.

They began the ball with the grand parade in front of Mrs. Lincoln and Abe. This is just a sampling of the ball gowns and uniforms and tuxes we saw.

Katie and Baker also dressed up in the children's section. Katie's face lit up when the museum lady suggested it. And I loved her for it as it made Katie's day...until they told us she couldn't actually wear it and dance in it. I understood and I think Katie did too, but she was sad. You can imagine how many times she told me I would need to make her a dress for next year's ball. There were several children there dressed up. Some looked like they were on daddy dates. It was a very magical evening.

The ball was such fun once the kids got into the dancing and we got over not having the appropriate attire. Baker and I danced the night away (one great reason to have boys!) And Andy helped his little princess across the dance floor.
Even Griffith got into the night and loved watching everything that went on and eating all the fun foods that were served everywhere we went.
The hit of the evening was Baker. In his little Abe hat, everyone oohed and aahed about how attractive he was. There were a few people who even wanted their picture with little Abe at the ball. And after a few promises of cake from us and coaxing from the others, he patiently stood (albeit, not with too many smiles) and posed with beautiful dressed up ladies. One day he'll love the attention he gets from women, but for now, I love that he's all mine (well, and Abbey's :) )
At the very end, they danced a quadrillion (?) and Katie wanted to do it so much that we formed our own little square and tried to copy what they were doing. She kept asking if we could join one of their squares, but lacking the dresses, we just stuck to us. Regardless, it was fun. We left soon after the dance, ate dinner, changed clothes and headed back to reality. Katie still continues to talk about John Wilkes Booth and his jump after he shot President Lincoln and about Willie who died and about how the house reminded her of Joseph Smith's house in Nauvoo. She talks about how he was the President who made it so blacks could be free and wrote the "emanipation proclawhatever." She proudly wore her t-shirt to school and gave a mini report on all that she saw and how she met Mr. Lincoln (not the real one she is quick to add). She gave the class a penny and a book, a poster of the Gettysburg Address and spoke of his courage. Now I ask again...which teaches more? school or life?