Amish Country

The first day that everyone was out here we drove out to Amish Country. KiLee and I wanted to take them somewhere besides just Kitchen Kettle so I did a little research and came up with an Amish Farm. I thought it was a little pricey for the tour, but I learned a lot of stuff about the Amish culture that I hadn't known before - things like what the colors stood for, and that they pin the aprons on with straight pins, and the shapes of their bonnets signify (generally) if they are Amish or Mennonite. I also learned a little about the misrepresentation of Rumspringa, and how the culture functions for those who delay baptism. It was really fascinating and educational.


Just in case you were unclear.








I loved the little school house and the opportunity to speak with an honest-to-goodness Amish schoolteacher. She was very kind and very funny. She indicated that she had a pretty big class of younger kids, and that she had pretty much decided that the school teacher life wasn't so much for her. I don't know why, but I had just assumed that once they became the school teacher that was the end of that. I was a little embarrassed that I had just assumed they couldn't change their minds.


Lesson plan




Bren was sitting at a regular desk, but in a super small chair.


The first of many cute cousin photo ops.

We also went to Kitchen Kettle, and while I love it there it is all about the food. The reasons I go include the excellent soft pretzels, the fudge shoppe, and the cinnamon toasted almonds. Last time I was there with KiLee and the kids I also discovered an awesome insect shop. They have glass mounted, really cool, colorful and sometimes creepy bugs/butterflies.