Monday, December 8, 2008

Philadelphia

Independence Hall.......This is the room where our forefathers signed the constitution. Benjamin Franklin's seat was at the right hand end of the row in front of the camera right next to the isle. Because of where Ben Franklin's seat was, all the delegates had to walk past him. Jason read that ole' Ben used to trip the delegates as they walked in. That's pretty funny. It figures that someone that astute and wise would have a nutty sense of humor. Somehow he reminds me of my brother Brian.This is the chair George Washington sat in at the head of the room.
This is the ink well used to sign the Constitution. This is a close up of George Washinton's chair. All during the process of gaining freedom from England and working out the new government, Ben Franklin would look at the sun on this chair and wonder whether it was rising--or setting. I believe it wasn't until after the constitution was signed that he finally gazed on the sun and believed that it was rising. Jason typed up some questions before we left. The kids had to be looking for the answers while we toured. They were able to find all of their answers!! Even though this was a rather 'school-like' activity, they had fun looking for and finding their answers. They got into it. They discovered that among other things, Ben Franklin also invented swim flippers!!!!Doesn't Jessy look cute in her hat? Look at that face, isn't she thrilled? I promise, we had fun. Jessy was watching a movie about the history of the liberty bell when I took this picture.

Ah, the liberty bell. In spite of some of the faces in this photo, the kids had fun.