Monticello

The day following our adventure to Mount Vernon we decided to try one more historical landmark. This time we travel 2 hours from our gracious host's home to Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson our 3rd President.

Monticello was build on a hill and means beautiful hill. Touring Monticello had a very different feeling than Mount Vernon. While Mount Vernon was spread wide, Monticello climbs to the sky.

Beautiful trees surround the home, while along the outlining path is Mulberry Row, the slave's homes and shops.

There was a children's center that allowed the kids to explore what life was like in Thomas Jefferson's time. There was a slave home that the kids are able to prepare a meal over a fire.


Lance lounged in a replica of Jefferson's bed. In his home he built this bed in a alcove between his bedroom and his office. That way he was never too far from either.

They also had wooden blocks that we all enjoyed building our own Monticello.


We enjoyed the beautiful gardens. There was a wonderful breeze and we laid on the grass to take in the smell of nature that we don't get very often.

All of three of the kids took off in different directions and explored nature to the fullest.



After a tour of the home the kids enjoyed foot races in true Jefferson fashion. Jefferson would go on the front lawn with his grandchildren and drop a handkerchief to signal the start of the race. Matt used a tissue to start our race and the kids took to be the first to Daddy.

While in the children's center a woman that worked there gave each of our kids a nickle. She explained who was on the coin and that his home was on the back. Jack loves to look at his nickle and tell us all about going to Thomas Jefferson's home.

This was a small pond that Jefferson built in his garden. The reflection of Monticello was breath taking and the kids loved throwing rocks into the water and watching the water ripple.

An amazing part of history that we were able to share with our little family. Jack can still tell you who is on the nickle. The kids watch movies with historic places and figures and talk about being there, I would not miss this for the world. The other day the kids even talked about meeting George Washington and Thomas Jefferson and we teased that they were entertaining Grandpa...we all got a good giggle out of that.