Uh-Oh (Attempt #2)

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Family Fun Night...without Mom

Last week at one of the local colleges they had a Family Fun Night.  I had a church meeting so I told Hannah we would have to miss it.  She came home from school crying and saying that everyone at school was going to it, but her.  She was so sad and Chad is an awesome dad, so he took all three girls by himself.

They did all sorts of fun activities..

 They rode bikes...

 had wheel-y cart races..

 ate pizza...

 played with the giant parachute...

and did face painting.

This one just sat in her stroller and watched all the action...and ate her coat apparently.

I enjoyed my night away, but after hearing about all their fun, I was a little sad I missed out on the fun.  Just a little.

Random Happenings

Here are just a few random pictures of things that happen around here:

Hannah and Grace made a tall tower with our couch cushions.  They were using the jump rope to fish with.

 It is VERY hit or miss around our house whether the girls will like the things I make for dinner.  The other night I made Chinese 5 Spice Chicken legs.  I was sure it would be another one they would turn their noses up at.  I was wrong!  They devoured them! 

 Hannah wanted to get in this box and have the lid shut.  We shut her up in it and then I spun it around.  She thought it was pretty fun...until she didn't... don't' look too close at the picture or you will see her crying.  Oops!

 The girl's favorite thing to do with Chad is build Lego's   They could spend hours working and building things.  This time they got some bigger Lego's for Grace and worked on it together.

My favorite picture!  It was raining so they were all watching for the bus, so Hannah didn't have to wait outside.  

I love those little girls!

Maple Overload

Every spring in Monterey, VA they have a Maple Festival.  It is FULL of all things maple.  Chad had to study and it was raining so I almost talked myself out of going.  After some encouragement/begging from the girls, I decided to brave the outing.

The town was about 1.5 hours away up and down and up and down and up again a wind-y mountain.  

Once we got there we went to the local school where they had crafts, goodies, and all-you-can eat buckwheat pancakes with fresh made maple syrup!  Delicious!

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Hannah definitely got her moneys worth!  She ate 3 big pancakes and I had to convince her to save room for other treats so she wouldn't go back for a fourth!

 Clara like the pancakes plain.  She didn't know what she was missing with the yummy syrup!

 We looked at some cool crafts, sampled some other maple-y treats, and purchased maple suckers.

After we left the school, this is what it looked like outside!  Downpour!  I told the girls we would drive over to one of the places that had a sugar tour (a tour to see how they collect and make the maple syrup)  and if the rain let up we would do it, otherwise we were going to head home.

When we arrived at the farm, there was only a sprinkle of rain.

 This was a maple tree that had been tapped.  The sap was dripping into the bucket.  Hannah looked in it and thought that it was just rain, but the man explained that it really was the stuff that makes maple syrup!

Next we went into this little shack where they had the pots for boiling the syrup.  

By this time it had started raining harder.

 This was the screwdriver tool they use to tap the maple trees.

Then they put it in this big pot thing and boils it for hours and hours.  Here at this farm they then put it in another smaller pot and boil it for even longer.

 The best part!  Free samples made yesterday!  Yum!  

Then it was time to head back to the car.  Of course at this time a monsoon hits!  There was lighting and thunder.  A strong wind that blew my hood off and made the girls not be able to run straight!  We were running and trying to make it to the van and not slip in the mud that was everywhere.  Grace and Clara were crying and Hannah was screaming.  I am sure we were a sight!  

Finally we made it to the safety of the van, but not unscathed...

 We were all soaking wet and windblown!

Of course about 3 minutes after we were in the van the rain stopped completely and there was no more rain the whole way home!

About 20 minutes away from Monterey there was another town that it also part of the Maple Festival.  I had seen a sign for maple doughnuts on the way there and I thought it would be fun to stop on the way home and get one, especially since the rain had stopped.  When we got to the town I looked in the back seat and both Clara and Grace were zonked out asleep!  I guess the storm wore them out.  

That will have to be something to look forward to next year!

History in the Making

A few weekends ago we went with some friends to visit a few history sites.  He was a political science guy and knew a sorts of cool facts and information about the area.

Our first stop, although not a historical landmark, was a BBQ place that will go down in history as the best BBQ I have ever had!

Next we went to an old train depot that had separate doors and waiting areas labeled "colored" and "white." It was interesting to read about the information they had there.  They also had some cool old phones and typewriters.  They even had an old telegraph machine.

Our last stop was Montpelier.  It costs a lot of money to go inside so we just checked out the grounds.     

It was a fun day.  It was great to have a "tour guide"  that was so knowledgeable.  I am glad that we are able to live here and let our girls experience and learn about our countries history.

Lean Green St Paddy's Day Machine

We had a visit from a St Paddy's Day Mouse this year.  The sneaky mouse hid the treasure while we were at church.

The first clue was hidden in the shoe bucket.

Hannah would read each clue and then they would set off searching.

Grace used her special looking glasses, a.k.a. her hands, and found the clue in the bathroom.

Hannah was the one to "find the treasure by the tool you use to measure..."

They enjoyed the yummy treasure!

We had our green meal for lunch.  Shamrock shaped raviolis with green sauce, peas, and green Gatorade.

For dessert a pistachio pudding pie with green whipped cream.

We had a great day!

A Day To Get Away

Chad was on Spring Break the first week in March.  We LOVED having him around for a whole week.  

One day we just decided to get away.  We headed to a nearby town to spend the day.  We didn't really have any plans, except exchanging some pants that Chad had purchased online. 

 We stopped along the way for lunch at a little diner.  

As we were waiting for our food a train came by right outside the window.

The girls colored while we waited.

 Clara was so hungry she kept trying to eat the crayons.

 We went to an outdoor shopping mall.  It was a little chilly, but fun to check out the different stores.  Hannah climbed up on this tall block and Grace wanted to join her, but did NOT want a picture.

 This girl is always smiling!

Chad was showing off how high he could get on the wall.

 Hannah gave it a try...pretty impressive!

Grace couldn't be left out!  I even tried it too, but luckily no picture of that!!

We also went to the inside mall and the girls played on the play area there.  Last time we were there I got in trouble for taking pictures, so I didn't document that.  

We also went to Trader Joe's for the first time.  I had heard all about it on people's blogs and so we had to check it out.  It was fun to experience.

We had a really fun day!

I Can't Believe She Actually Did It!

Hannah got her ears pierced!  

We had always told her that for her 8th birthday she could get them pierced.  She kept talking about it and was so excited.  I had explained to her before about how it hurts and I honestly thought that she would chicken out and end up not getting them done.  

Well one night last week we were at the mall.  We went to the store Claire's.  Hannah wanted to just look around at the earrings and other things in the store.  While we were there a lady was about to get her ears pierced   The lady was nice enough to allow Hannah to watch.  After it was over Hannah was saying, "That was it?!?  It looks so easy and fast."  

Chad thought we should take advantage of this moment of courage that Hannah was experiencing and just get it done now.

Hannah was so excited and nervous!

 Nervous: Her hands are blurry because she was shaking them up and down!

 Excited:  Look at that smile!

The lady that pierced her ears was great.  She even had a teddy bear for Hannah to squeeze.

 The first ear....not so bad.

 She needed a little extra encouragement for the second one.

And wha-la!  She was one HAPPY girl!  She kept yelling, "I can't believe I got my ears pierced!"

 If you look closely you can see a tear on her cheek.  It wasn't a completely tear-free experience, but she says it was worth it!

I can't believe she has her ears pierced!!