Watsons Mill and other fun activities

February 25, 2011 beedjay

This week we had a trip to the Watsons Mill where Cam the Miller kindly created a preschool program for us. It was a great success.

When I met Cam at the Mill’s annual Christmas Craft Show I know right away that he would be really good with kids and then found out that he did run programs there for school-agers. I wanted in on that action for my daycare. We seem to have a bit of a nature and food focus overall with most of our activities, and I think it is really important for little people to learn as young as possible what it is that they are eating and how it came to be on their plate and why we eat it. There is no shortage of material for this learning and everybody loves to eat.

So I phoned Cam only to find out that they did not have a program presently for very young ones, however, they were willing to try it. So we picked a date, had some brief discussion and it turned out to be a brilliant success.

I created a private facebook event and invited my daycare field trip partner, Kate, with her group; and a few other mothers with their children. We ended up having 13 kids and 7 adults which seemed to be the perfect ratio for the age and temperment of the children. So that there were a lot of eyes to watch little ones and help cleaning up.

We arrived about 9:05 and quickly got settled in and set up. The kids became occupied with drinking elderberry tea that I brought while sitting on chairs. By 9:25 we were setting up our jackets on the floor to sit and listen to a story. Cam and Coral were stunning in their period costumes and had a plethora of farm animal toys for effect. They began by discussing farms and wheat and food. About 9:35 Cam began reading THE LITTLE RED HEN story while Coral brought out the corresponding stuffed animal to go along with the narrative. There was a bit of improv that did illicit some giggles from the adults and the children sat mesmerized.

After this we moved to the first station which had piles of dirt. Each child was given a cup to fill and a grain to plant. Coral poured pretend water into the seeded starter pot and then we moved on to the next station to “thresh” the wheat. there were real wheat stalks and by wapping them on the floor, we yielded quite a lot of actual grain. The wapping, I mean “threshing”, was great fun for everyone. After everyone had a chance to dig their hands into a big bag of grain, we moved on to the next station where “The Miller” used a mini stone mill showed how the grains were ground into flour. Then everyone could dig their hands into a bag of the wonderful silky flour from the Watsons Mill. This is the best tasting flour I have ever used for baking bread and so we all met back at the story station and tasted some of the bread I had baked the night before.

The second part was much more engaging for older kids and adults, I thought. But it was a change of scenery and fun for everyone to go through the old Dickenson’s house which is a museum now; a comfortable museum where you are allowed to touch stuff. There were many stories and wonderful furniture, a sewing room; and the attic was positively enchanting with a nursery and a spinning room with wool, blankets and several spinning wheels. I can’t wait to take my older ones back there and have a chance to go through without chasing after toddlers in boots trying to climb everything.

When we returned to the carriage house, we set up a table and proceeded to have our picnic lunch. It really was a perfect morning and everyone was thoroughly impressed and satisfied with the experience. I sure hope that Cam and Coral are interested in doing this annually in January or February because we certainly are…or should I say “The Miller” and Coral. This is what my son keeps referring to him as. ie.”Mom, where is that wheat stalk that The Miller gave me?” …”Oh, Look, suspenders just like The Miller was wearing” ect.

My intentions to have a pioneer themed week had been delayed or thwarted by the fact that we misplaced our novel that we began: “Little House in the Big Woods”; family day shortened our week; last week the weather was so incredibly warm we went to a park or playgroup every day; and next week is Dr. Seuss’ birthday so we want to have our annual Dr. Seuss theme week. That is great fun. Maybe i’ll try to plan an Upper Canada Village trip in the coming months and do pioneer week then.

This morning we went over to the school and watched a 20 minute play performed by the senior kindergarten class called NIAN THE DRAGON. It was in the gym and my group was perfectly behaved. The performers were wonderful as were the costumes and set designs. We really do have THE BEST kindergarten teacher!!!

Now I’m googling Wheelers Pancake house as we are coming upon maple syrup season again. Maybe early May is a good time for Upper Canada Village as we will have strawberry picking in June again. In July I really want to take these guys camping and August is vacation month. FUN, FUN, FUN!!!