First 4th of July in VA

This was our first 4th of July here in Charlottesville.  2014 was in Medford, Oregon right before we moved out here and 2015 was in Utah. We had a couple of different ideas on what we wanted to do and had made fun plans to go on a hike with some friends but the forecast called for rain and thunderstorms so that was scratched. I still hope we can go with them another day.  We also had plans to have a BBQ with the Lenox's and do a few fireworks and that went on as planned and was a fun night.  It was really weird to have a rainy 4th of July with the high being around 75. We started off with donuts at Duck Donuts then came back for some fun Patriotic learning times here.

I love this dress I found for Lydia at TJ Maxx, its The Children's Place for 7.99!! She was so cute when I showed it to her.  She keeps asking me to wash it because she can't wait to wear it again.

Patriotic Learning activities are always some of my favorites. 

Around 3:00 there was a break in the storm and Mark commented that he really wanted to go kayaking so we loaded up the kayaks and hightailed it over to the lake.  The Shaw's have been out of town and they kindly let us borrow their matching kayak so we could go out together which was really fun.  I was not sure about going because of the weather and because we planned to be at the BBQ between 4:30 and 5:00 but they didn't mind if we got there later and it was fun to be outside. We had the lake all to ourselves for the first little while then a few families showed up to go fishing. We spent a good amount of time trying to get a picture of us all in our kayaks using the timer on Mark's phone and setting it on the dock.  This was slightly stressful since the dock is above water  and all but it was funny to see some of the pictures.  Mark did a great job hustling to get in the frame and Jared and I did our best to not float to far out.  In the end we asked one of the families to take our picture when we got back to the other dock. I am glad Mark was so insistent that we go out.

We had a fun time eating, visiting and paying games with the Lenox's. They head out of town on the 15th or so and won't be back till mid August we will miss them! After we ate we had our traditional root beer floats and set off some sparklers and a few fireworks.

,

This may be my new favorite picture of her. 

This was her original pose. I'm not even sure she knew Mark took her picture. 

We sure appreciate all that we enjoy living here. 

Camping out

We have been really busy since school got out.  The Cub Scouts kind of went crazy with activities and since Mark is the cub master we (especially him) have been doing all kinds of things.  He had the River Regatta, regular meetings, a family campout, and 3 days of Cub Scout day camp.

I had really low expectations for the family campout but it turned out to be pretty fun.  The weather was really nice and there were lots of families from the ward who came.  I felt pretty silly being there as we do not have a Cub Scout (and soon enough we will and will really have lots of Scout things to attend) but, we went anyway since Mark's calling kind of calls for that.  All anyone told me about it was that you were at a big open field and the kids had a great time running around. This did not sound like fun camping to me. We got to the site and while there was a huge field area (it was at Madison County's park and rec area) there was also a fun campsite with a nice little nature trail so we did end up having a good time. It was pretty funny though as all the families but us, the Shaw's, and a new family the Clayton's were packed up and out of there by 9:30 Saturday morning.  It was nice to have a chance to get to know the Clayton's and we are always glad to visit with the Shaw's.

I was also not as excited because we had plans to go camping with the Lenox's the following Friday.  I do enjoy camping but two weeks in a row seemed a bit much. They are heading out West for the summer and we really wanted to go with them before they left so that was the weekend that worked out. We were concerned that we would be camping in the rain but the storm cleared up and we had awesome weather.  The site is reservation and then first come first serve so we were slightly concerned we wouldn't be able to get a site. I called Friday morning and at 9:00 they only had 10 sites left.  We had already made a tentative plan that our family would head up early to get sites for both families but Mark, Lydia and Jared ended up going much earlier than anticipated.  After the phone call we threw our gear into the car, strapped down the kayak and they set off.  Earlier in the week I had been contacted by a woman wanting information about preschool and we set up a tour at 10:30 on Friday so I couldn't leave until after that.  Since we had spent the previous day in DC we didn't have much stuff ready for this trip.  After the preschool tour I started to get all the food ready.  Mark called to let me know that he got sites next to each other so that helped take some stress away. I finished packing our clothes and bedding and got all the food ready and headed out around 2:00.  We had a great time with the Lenox's and really appreciated Mark going early and getting the sites. He Jared and Lydia went kayaking which Mark said was great and played with some outdoor toys at the campsite.  When I pulled up just before 3:00 they were in the campsite playing baseball.  Jared and Lydia were in swimming suits and sweaters.  (It was not a very warm day.) I asked why they weren't in their clothes and was informed that Jared and Lydia had a hard time listening after kayaking. They got soaking wet in their clothes in the shallow water by the lake and only had their swimming suits to put on.  Quite backwards to put your swimming suit on after you have gotten wet to dry off in...Mark had told them it wasn't warm enough to swim in the lake and the chance for some rain was pretty high but as with most kids its really hard to not get wet when by water.  Oh well.  Needless to say they were pretty happy when I arrived and could change into dry clothes.

We enjoyed dinner and visiting, Smore's and playing games.  We had a visit from a raccoon after all the kids went to bed. Mark and Tom were so funny about it.  We had some food on the table and as we were sitting around the campfire I heard some rustling back there. I turned around and there it was trying to steal the Lenox's bag of croissants, just sitting on the table. Tom was not going to let that happen. They chased it off and were able to reclaim the croissants but after that incident Mark and Tom could not rest until they knew the raccoon was long gone.  They kept scanning the woods by the campsite and any time they saw those little beady eyes, they grabbed a rock to toss at it.  It didn't get away with any other food.  Raccoons are one of Jared's  favorite animals so he was disappointed he didn't get to see it.  I remember right after we moved here Mark and I saw one on the back porch of the townhouse we rented.  We told Jared about it and he was so excited one was so close to us.  Mark and I not so much. For awhile after that Jared would always ask me to be really careful when driving at night. If I saw any little eyes I needed to slow down. He was so concerned for all the raccoons in Charlottesville.

Lainey and Lydia had so much fun together.  They were pretty cute.  Sometimes (like the next morning as we were packing up after a delicious breakfast) Lydia wants a little space from Lainey  (and other people) but instead of telling Lainey that she runs way from her.  Lainey then feels bad and doesn't understand why Lydia stopped playing whatever game they were playing.  Lydia is about 6 months older than Lainey and at times will act like because she is older she can do whatever she wants with Lainey, like being older gives her some power over Lainey.  I had her come over to me after she ran away from Lainey again, while they were playing, and explain (again) that she needs to be a better friend and that she needs to express how she feels instead of acting irritated or just running away from Lainey.  This is not the first time we have had this conversation and I hope she can see how acting that way is unkind to Lainey and not how a friend should treat another friend or person in general. Its really hard to see her act this way.

After packing up our tent sites we headed to the lake to kayak and play in the sand and water.  We had a lot of stuff going on that afternoon so we headed home around 1:30.  Jared and Lydia went to a birthday party and then I went up to the adult session of stake conference.  So busy!

Both campouts ended up being really fun.  I am sure we will go a few more times before school starts but hopefully not back to back.

Day in DC

Last Thursday we headed into DC for the day. There was no particular reason why we had to go Thursday in fact it would have been better to just wait and go later (the last 2 weeks have been crazy busy for us) but sometimes I just want to go somewhere.  Someone had mentioned the Bureau of Printing and Engraving awhile back and since Jared is still very into money we decided to go see if we could check it out. The tricky things is that it's a really popular DC spot and while tickets are free you can only get them on site.  I had heard mixed experiences from people with getting tickets but we decided to give it a go.  I am so glad we did. It was really interesting and Jared loved it. Lydia enjoyed the first 1/2 and then got a little bored. We did a good job getting out the door early enough (6:05! which I was pretty happy with) but traffic was awful once we got close to DC and we took a road that would get us there but not quickly. Eventually I got out of the car and just walked to the ticket office.  I was concerned that there wouldn't be any tickets left but there were spots on 4 of the tours so we go them for 1:15. Mark took the wrong road and ended up going across a bridge again and I attempted to walk to a Starbucks (Mark kind of always has a stash of Starbucks gift cards from students.  He certainly appreciates them but also laughs a little because they are clearly known for coffee and he always thinks to himself, "when have you ever seen me with a coffee mug?) Anyway.  After he found some parking we met up for a little breakfast.  We then went over to the Post Office museum which was way more fun then you would think.  A friend had recommended it and it was nice to finally go and see it. Jared and Lydia had a fun time there. After that museum we drove over to the Public parking near the Jefferson memorial and ate our packed lunch.  Then, Jared randomly grabbed a bag and threw up! (Yes we do travel with Ziplock bags in our cars, always) We were so surprised. We had him sit for a bit and asked if he still wanted to take the tour which he did so we walked up to the Bureau.  It was about a 20 minute walk so not awful but it happened to be a pretty hot and humid day and since he had just thrown up (!!??) he did not look very well when we reached the Bureau.  We sat down in the shade and I had him lay down with his head in my lap.  I am pretty sure he was overheated which caused him to throw up.  Once we got in for the tour we grabbed a water bottle and his color looked better and he said he felt much better. Poor kid. After that excitement I was so nervous that he would throw up during the tour.  Fortunately he did not.  He looked fine and loved seeing all that money being printed. I am glad we could take him now while his interest is so high.  It will be fun to see the mint in Philadelphia in August.

Post office Museum with our complimentary post cards. 

Jared, Lydia and I designed our own stamp. And they had a fun time sorting/shooting packages. 

Lydia was fascinated by these screens. 3 huge screens at a time?? 

She sat and watched this video on sorting mail for quite some time. 

Jared loved this poster.  It measured your height in 100 dollar notes.  He loved that he was over a million dollars. It really was an inserting tour and I am really glad we could take it. 

After our fun in DC we headed over to the Temple.  Mark went in and Jared, Lydia and I hung out in the visitors center.  Last time we went Mark wasn't able to go in because our car battery died and we were concerned about getting it started and making it home so we left right after I came out. It was a bummer for him and I am glad it worked out this time.  After leaving the temple we stopped at Cafe Rio in Manassas for dinner. It was while we were eating that a huge rain storm came. We were eating outside and suddenly were getting drenched.  We ran inside to finish eating and then started the rest of the drive home.  Once we got to Culpepper the storm really opened up.  The rain poured down in waves and we saw so much lightning. It was crazy.  Mark did a great job handling it and when we made it home we saw lots of branches down and were happy to see no trees had fallen on our house. I am glad we could take a day and go exploring. Mark really does not love going to DC but I love that we can!

Schools out

Tuesday was Jared's last day of Kindergarten. He came into the kitchen today (Wednesday the first day of summer vacation) and told me that he wished he still had school.  While it took a good long while for us to get into a good school groove there really wasn't ever a time that he did not want to go to school this past year and for that I am grateful.  I am so glad that he had such a positive first year of school experience.

Throughout the school year I have been bummed that his teacher didn't really want parent volunteers. Before Jared stared school I thought I would get to volunteer in his class all the time but such was not that case.  Last week I was able to help out at Field day and on Monday of this week I went to help out in his class. The Kindergarten teachers planned two theme days for the last week of school. The first theme was Under the Sea and the second was Nature Day.  They did fun rotations through all the kindergarten classes and I helped make smore's in his classroom on Nature day. It was fun to see him with his peers and get to help out. I was talking to a friend about volunteering and she said that one of her daughters teachers also didn't need help in the classroom so she volunteered in the Library instead and went when her daughter was there for library time which I thought was a really good idea.  Maybe I will try that next year. I have often wished I could work in a library.

For Field Day last week I signed up to help out at the slip n slide. I wanted something with few rules and that kids would be excited for so would therefore listen better. It worked great.  It was funny to see how a kindergartner approaches a slip n slide and how a 2nd grader does.  All the kids had a great time.

Nature Day was Monday of this week and then Tuesday was the last day. I spent my time in his class  Monday and then went to pick up Lydia and go swimming with a friend.  We got to the pool, Lydia hopped in the water and then Baker Butler called.  Jared was in the nurses office with a 101 fever.  I was so confused.  I had just seen him and he was fine! I quickly dried Lydia off and went to pick him up.  He seemed fine when I got there, he just looked tired.  His teacher met us at the office with all of his stuff for the year and had the same reaction, that he seemed fine when I was there. After I left they  went to PE and somehow in that time this bug got him. We went home and he laid down and fell right to sleep.  He slept from 12:45 until 4:45. I tried to wake him up at 3:15 but he was not going for it. He didn't eat much dinner (no appetite really) and went to bed and fell asleep by 8:20 and slept till about 6:45 the next day.  When he woke up the next morning it was like nothing had happened.  So weird.  It seems that sometimes he just gets a bug and then is just wiped out.  I am so glad that sleeping made him feel better. He did say his throat hurt and Monday morning but I did not expect this reaction. At first he was saying his neck hurt so I was worried about meningitis (jump to conclusions much?) but he later clarified that it was his throat not his neck, kind of an important difference. Since he had no fever and was feeling fine I emailed his teacher to see if I could bring him to class for the last 20 minutes of the day to say goodbye to his friends (and drop off her gift) and she was fine with that so we did.  This was not how I expected the last day of school to go but it worked out fine. I had some fun little things planned and ended up doing them around lunch time instead of breakfast which was just fine.  Lydia wasn't feeling too great either on Monday and took a long nap and another one on Tuesday.  I really don't know what happened to either of them but am glad they got over it so quickly.

Jared had fun saying good bye to his teacher and friends and was excited to get his class award.I  am so glad he could go for the last 20 minutes.  His teacher gave each student an award and his was a "math wizard" award.  He was really proud of it and told me "I won math!" It was cute.

Before I took him to school I did my end of the year surprises.  I made a K out of donuts (and will make something out of food corresponding to the grade he (and Lydia) finished that year) and we set up his summer reading challenge.  I had him pick an object we could make to hang up on the wall and then add to throughout the summer. He picked a lightsaber (no surprise there) and for each book he reads he will add a blue rectangle. His plan is to have it warp around his whole room. After he reads 10 books he gets to pick a prize.  Mark and I came up with a list of little things to get: stay up 15 minutes late, get a McDonalds soft serve cone, mini cupcake trip, receive one dollar, go get a slurpee (I don't think he has actually ever had one), 15 minutes of "screen time" and a trip to the dollar store to pick something.  He is really excited about it  and I am excited he is looking forward to it.  I came up with a daily summer schedule like all the ones you see online only tweaked it for our needs and Monday is library day. I will be working Monday and Wednesdays so Mark will take them but I think they will enjoy it. I also stopped by the dollar tree and grabbed some fun summer things.  At the end of last Summer I found a snorkel set for each of them on sale and hid them away till now.  They are both really excited to use a snorkel and Jared was amazed that I actually bought them last year and keep them hidden all this time.  I think we are ready for summer.  Having a set plan is really mostly for me as I struggle with all the empty time of summer. I know some people relish it and wish they could have it all year but I want the structure. It is still a loose schedule (I didn't even put times on it) and if things change it's fine but I like having a plan. I printed the activities out and cut them into strips and stuck magnets on each one.  It is hanging on our fridge and makes me happy.

We had made some plans with friends for an end of the school year celebration and I am so glad we were able to go.  We headed over to the Shaw's house for an ice cream sundae bar and some slip n slide fun.  They have a great hill for sliding on in their backyard.  The ice cream was a big hit and for Lydia so was the slip n slide.  Jared had just used a slip n slide last week at field day but for some reason he could not let go and do it (I am sure part of it was a hang over from Monday's illness) he just could not let himself slide on his stomach and then kept getting frustrated he couldn't slide as well as the other kids. (he hate not being able to do things as well as others in a group and in general really).  He was too nervous he would get hurt.  It looked like a really fun slip n slide (I am totally wearing my swimming suit next time and trying it out) and most of the kids had a lot of fun.  Jared wimped out after a few slides but Lydia slid for quite some time.  We had fun with friends and maybe he will enjoy it more another time. 

Harrison, Jared, Sam , Jessie

Lydia, Tyler, Tegan, Lainey

When Mark got home from school we had silly string fight to finish celebrating.  Lydia was not impressed but Jared, Mark and I had fun. There are only 4 members in our immediate family so I am often confused as to why we can't easily all enjoy activities together but we do our best.  I got Mark some Burt's Bees Chapstick and we all told him thanks for Bee-ing an excellent teacher. He needed some recognition too!  It was a successful school year for Lydia and I at preschool and for Mark and Jared too. Jared really did love Kindergarten and grew a lot! 

Garden update

Post by Mark"The Gardener"

It has been nearly a month since we planted our little raised garden bed.  Some things have not really taken off, but the beans, zucchini, onion, and peas have done pretty well.  We also had some friends gift us some bell and sweet peppers that they had already started.  That's great since our seeds didn't really grow.  We also planted some Watermelon and cantaloupe that started to grow, but haven't done much since.  We also used our starter containers to start some more seedlings.  The peas have grown well and so have the onions.  

It has been fun to check up on our garden.  Jared and Lydia have both been excited to check and see the growth of the plants and look for new sprouts coming up.  

 This is what it looked like on Monday, May 30th.

I put in a couple of sticks to help the beans have something to attach to.

This is what it looked like Sunday, June 5th.

The Zucchini and Beans are kind of out of control.

And we have corn!

We didn't have any space in the garden to plant the corn, so we decided to use these large pots.  We planted the corn about a week ago and the other day I was checking on the other plants in the garden when I heard Jared and Lydia yelling "The corn is growing!  The corn is growing!"  When I got over there, sure enough the corn had started to sprout and we counted 12 total plants.  Each day it is fun to see the progress and see Jared and Lydia's interest in this little garden.