Why I love my job...

As many of you are aware, Log Cabin Village features a monthly storytime for preschoolers called "Timber Tales." This storytime takes place from March-June and September-November, and is designed to help 3-5 year olds understand a little more about frontier history using books, activities, and crafts.

While slots in the pre-set dates are allocated for individuals and small families, I am more than happy to schedule a private storytime for organized groups with 15 or more children. Today was just such an occasion. I had the privilege of reading Texas Zeke and the Longhorn to a delightful group of PK kids from ACI Academy. These kids were great--enthusiastic, intelligent, and, of course, completely hilarious.

And so, still chuckling, I bring you the stories behind today's favorite quotes.

In a manner befitting any good story featuring a protagonist named Zeke, the kiddos decorated bandanas as today's craft. They were working away (with washable markers, of course), and I was held captive by the most amazing conversation as they colored away:

Girl: I just don't like spaghetti and meatballs. I don't like the sauce. I don't like the noodles. I don't like meatballs.

Boy: I LOVE spaghetti and meatballs. I love everything about them. I love them more than anybody else.

Another girl: More than Jesus?

Boy: (pauses to contemplate for a moment) I don't think Jesus ate spaghetti and meatballs.

Their teacher and I about lost it at this point.

Second great moment...from a sweet girl who had just completed her bandana:

Girl: I'm a cowdaughter.

Me: You're a what?

Girl: A cowdaughter.

Me: (puzzled expression)

Girl: Well...I figure that a cowgirl is a grownup lady...and I'm still a kid. So I must be a cowdaughter.

Priceless.

From the mouths of 4 & 5 year olds...

Pssst...We've Got a Secret...

Don't tell anyone...but we will be unveiling a new look for our web site soon. We're very excited! I'll keep you posted once it goes live...

One great component of the new site will be an area for kids. That area is still under development...so we'd love to hear what you'd like to see! Please add a comment here or e-mail me with suggestions...

Stay tuned!

Hands-On and Age Appropriate...

If you haven't visited Log Cabin Village lately, you're in for a real treat! We unveiled our latest educational endeavor at the end of September: the Seela hands-on cabin. Although it is sometimes billed as a cabin for kids, we have found that adults are enjoying it just as much (if not more).

The cabin is exactly as the name implies: completely hands-on. You can help fluff the feather ticking on the rope bed, prepare dinner at the hearth, try on clothes, and card some wool. We even have an outdoor area now, complete with a chicken coop and a pump to draw water. A garden plot and wagon loading area are in the works...so stay tuned! As one young visitor said in our guest book, "The best is the one to touch."

You will also want to check out our touch baskets available in each cabin. History is now hands-on!

Postscript: some of the winter honeysuckle is in bloom here at the Village. I always look forward to this time of year, because the air outside is literally SWEET! Seems early this year, but I'm sure Mother Nature is just as confused as the rest of us by this crazy Texas weather.