Forts

 Last week (it seems I'm starting every post this way lately :), we took advantage of the Smithsonian's Free Museum Day that they do every year. We chose to go to Fort Nisqually located up in Tacoma near the zoo. While we went many times to Fort Vancouver and even to Forts Clatsop and Stevens on the Oregon Coast when I was a kid, for some reason we never went to Fort Nisqually even though it is so close in comparison! Our day began kind of crazy - me printing directions to the wrong fort (Fort Steilacoom - another one I hadn't seen until now, but we didn't stay long), making a wrong turn and getting semi-lost on our way to the correct fort, and more. It was really quite hilarious. But once we got to Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, things settled down and the kids had a wonderful time exploring and learning about the past.

The dugout canoe was a bit hit with all the kids. :)

There were reenactors around the fort that would perform and teach us about the history and culture. Cousin Solomon and my mom came along too.

 

 The most fun the kids had was in the cabin where they were free to touch and play with everything. They pretended to play checkers, wash their face with a pitcher and bowl, drink from a tin cup, and sweep the floor.

But strangely enough the biggest draw for my kids was the bed, where they spent a lot of time pretending to sleep. I think part of the reason was because it was their nap time and they were honestly tired! They really had so much fun doing this, even though their faces are so solemn in the picture below, and didn't want to leave to go onto the next area.  :)

We really had a nice time and I'm glad I finally got to visit this historical piece of Washington's heritage. And got to see another fort too even if our visit was unintended. ;o)