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Express Snow Tube Rider
by Susan Avery
Snow breeds togetherness. But, it's just no fun to be an observer. After you and the grandkids build the lopsided snowman, add to the wintry bonding with an inflatable snow tube for two. The Express Snow Tube Rider, made from heavy-duty PVC, is virtually guaranteed to bring on a good time. There's even a directional bottom that keeps the glide smooth. To ensure the fun and avoid blowouts at any frigid temperature, the tube has heat-sealed seams and a special additive to keep it crack-resistant up to 25 degrees below zero. Makes you the ultracool grandparent.
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| I read about Rose Hill here, then checked out their website to find they were having a Civil War Encampment/Re-enactment that very weekend (July 12 & 13).
I invited my almost-8 grandson, Michael, who's shown an interest in history and photography. We drove up in a little over an hour from home in VA. I handed over my "old" (excellent little point & shoot) camera to Michael for the day, while I tested out my new fancy/schmancy camera.
We both learned quite a bit from the re-enactors in the camp that was set up on the grounds of the park under the trees by the big manor house. The field surgeon showed Michael how they amputated limbs, a young girl played a hoop game with him, we learned what ignited the gunpowder in cannons, and we learned about mourning jewelry made of human and horse hair through a very cool lady vendor. There were munitions demonstrations, a battle re-enactment and a tour of the house (Rose Hill Manor). And we learned that Thomas Johnson, the first govenor of Maryland, had lived there and was very good friends with George Washington.
Through it all, Michael took pictures like he'd been doing it for years. He's only ever been allowed to take "a" picture with anyone's camera; never a whole day in which he was responsible for one and could take as many pictures as he wanted.
I don't know what Rose Hill is like on a regular day, but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves there that Sunday. I'd highly recommend a visit when they are hosting an event there. But I don't think teens would be so very interested and I don't think toddlers or under 5's would manage very well. It's not Disneyland with colorful animated characters running about for the little ones, and there's not a lot of "action" for teens. But for adults interested in daily life of days gone by, and for kids who've already expressed an interest in history, it's a good bet. At Rose Hill you won't be trample on by tourists; it's not crowded like Mt. Vernon. In fact, I'd never heard of Rose Hill until visiting Grandparents.com.
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