On recent trips to Colonial Williamsburg, I have been increasingly flabbergasted by the various reactions of the guests to my kids wearing their costumes.  Mistaking my kids for employees, guests often ask them questions about the historic area, which the kids can usually answer, although they always qualify the answer with the fact that they are not employees. Now the guests are so charmed, they are taking pictures of my kids!  I incredulously looked on as I wondered what in the world is going on?  

     The picture taking started on our last visit to Colonial Williamsburg a couple of weeks ago.  While we were sitting on the Duke of Gloucester Street, my son was playing either his fife or his tin whistle.  He is not great at playing either, but he is self taught and was working on a tune from his colonial tune book. Some guests were walking by and when they heard the music they were enchanted and took pictures of him playing.  I was sitting nearby and I was so shocked I couldn't think of what to do or say. It certainly made great dinner conversation that evening.

     When we visited the Colonial Nursery, a lady walked right up to my kids, took their picture, then gave them a big smile and a thumbs up!  Once again I was standing nearby, incredulously speechless.  What do  you say to something like that?  I have always enjoyed watching the actor/interpreters pose for pictures, especially when they do a historic pose. But my own kids????

     Oh, but the one that took grand prize was yet to come!  We were on Botetourt Street under the trees. Actually I left my kids there while I turned my back. When I returned my son was sitting on the hitching post, playing a tune on his fife, and he was getting his picture taken again.  This time the friend of the picture taker was posing WITH my son to have her picture taken with him!!!!  Well, just as that was about to do me in, something even more incredulous happened!  When the lady who had been taking the picture was done, she cried out to her friend, "It's my turn now!  Take a picture of me posing with him!"  They giggled and switched places and another picture was taken...while I stood there hopelessly speechless. 

    Had I any presence of mind , I would have taken pictures of them taking pictures of my kids.  Well, now that I think about it, we do have one picture that a few other guests have too. Last summer when we visited CW, my son posed with Lafayette.  My husband suggested that they shake hands and as my husband took their picture, the guests went, "ohhhhhhhhh." When my husband was done and my son was about to leave, the guests asked them to remain in pose so they could take pictures of them too!  I thought it was neat that Lafayette graciously allowed for this. I know my son enjoyed the moment.

     Is it any wonder my kids enjoy Colonial Williamsburg?