First Day of School

The girls are enjoying going to the same school. They look so cute in theri matching uniforms! They have two little dress racks next to their beds to hang their jumpers and a basket of school shoes in between. Abby has been very brave with school. She likes her teachers and has been singing songs she is learning in music class and doing some sign language. I wish I could be a fly on the wall!

Margaret seems to be adjusting well to 5th grade. I'm so glad she is there again this year... the smaller class size and Christian environment really bring out the best in her. She loves it. Just before school Margaret was diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder. While it's heart breaking to think that she will struggle with these conditions throughout life, we're hoping that having a diagnosis will help us to be more patient and understanding of her needs and provide some resources to support her. Taking it each day at a time...

Grandpa Mac was in town for the first day (the day after the earthquake!) of school and helped me get them out the door in the morning. It's been smooth sailing ever since. Abby's had a bit of trouble with the noise levels at chapel and extended care, but seems to be adjusting. I'm not sure if the noise sensitivity is related to the Chiari or if she would be like that any way.... and all three children (four, if you count Patrick!) have picked up every airborn germ  since the first day of school...

AP is in 8th grade this year and got right back into the swing of things. He starts clay class this week after school, and will begin tae kwon do next week. Turned 14 already. Can't believe he'll be at the high school next year!

Staunton and Lexington Trip, Aug 2011

With AP in NY and Margaret in Charlottesville at sleep away camp, Patrick and I took Abby away for a few days for a Civil War excursion that was just up their alley. I was hoping for a few days at the beach, but I couldn't convince them, and the beach was in the opposite direction, so they won out.

After taking Margaret to camp, we headed through Staunton, VA and stopped at the Frontier Culture Museum since we have a membership now. We rented a souped up golf cart to get around since we didn't have very long and the museum in really spread out. It turned out to be a good call b/c it started to storm when we were there and we could take cover on the golf cart! Patrick enjoyed speeding around a bit too much, I almost fell off a few times and the interpreters were giving him dirty looks... He needs to get out more! At one point, Abby and him jetted into a house and I was waiting for a break in the rain, when the emergency break failed and the darn thing started to roll off w/ me in the back seat! I had to yell into the open windows of the German house to get him to come back and save me, which didn't go over so well w/ me!

In Lexington, we stayed at a hotel w/ an indoor pool and Abby and Patrick played in the water each day while I worked out. On Monday we visited the Stonewall Jackson House. Abby was brave enough to wear her Stonewall attire and they gave us a personal tour of the rooms tailored to her attention span, which was perfect. She really wanted to see Little Sorrel, so we walked all around the campus of Washington and Lee and then VMI in the blazing afternoon sun. I had my doubts that the trip would hold her interest, but she was really taken with finally seeing Stonewall's horse in person, behind the glass case. She posed for several pictures and then was game for seeing Lee's tomb on the walk back. She is an amazing little girl and genuinely has a passion all things Stonewall. She even wanted to find his grave site. I had lost interest long before this, but she was into it! Week later, she is still talking about Lexington and seeing the soldiers solute each other at VMI!

American Girl Weekend

Tyson's Corner opened an American Girl store in June. We got reservations first thing and turned it into a girl's weekend. Mom and I ordered matching American Girl dresses for the girl's dolls. She made matching American Flag shirts for the girls to wear. We even had matching pj's for the dolls. It was too cute. I admit we were more into it than Margaret, but Abby was adorable w/ her doll.

We stayed at the Embassy Suites next to Tysons and played in the pool and enjoyed the breakfast buffet. We painted the girls nails and curled their hair and had a nice time getting away from it all.

The store was amazing. Two floors of American Girl displays. Unimaginable little items to buy...who has the money!? They can pierce the dolls ears and even have a hair salon for your dolls! We didn't do all of that, which was frustrating for Margaret to watch other girls lined up for these expensive treatments. It was packed and hard for Margaret to accept that we were "window shopping" instead of buy everything in sight. But, we did get to have lunch in the restaurant, which was really special.

The dolls have little chairs that clip onto the tables. They bring little mugs for the dolls and it was super sweet. The girls were most excited about the hooks on the walls in the bathrooms so you can hook your doll up while you use the toilet, without having to put them on the ground! Abby's biggest thrill was riding the escalator up and down a hundred times. She was very hesitant when boarding it, and held up the line every time, but wouldn't back down. Over and over!

On Sunday, we went to the Reston Zoo. It was incredibly hot, but the girls really enjoyed it. We went on a safari ride, got to pet a baby alligator, watch the prairie dogs and see several baby animals riding on their mother's backs. The best part was feeding the baby goats w/ a bottle. They grabbed the nipple and made a mess, which freaked Abby out, but didn't faze Margaret in the least. She fed every goat there was...

Day trip to Fredericksburg

In August, with AP in NY at Camp Cousins and Margaret at Camp Kessem in Charlottesville, we took a day trip to Fredericksburg to act like tourists with Bubby on Caroline Street. We ate lunch at the Marriott and got a booth next to Doris Buffet! We had frozen yogurt at Sweet Frogs and did some shopping and antiquing. The highlight was shopping for vintage clothes w/ Abby and Bubby. We had a blast trying on hats, boots, and ball gowns... if only we had somewhere to wear them!

Capon Springs, Summer 2011

Busy summer. Had a great time during our first visit to Capon Springs, WV w/ Pops. Ran seven miles each morning up and down the mountain hills. Gorgeous country. Enjoyed fresh spring water and a spring-fed pool that was icy cool. AP especially enjoyed his freedom, as he could roam around the resort, skateboarding, playing ping-pong, tennis, shuffleboard, etc. He made a few lady friends! I knew we were in trouble the first night at the bbq on the hill when a small swam of teenage girls flocked around him squeeling that he looked just like "Justin Beiber..." Margaret enjoyed the game room and made s few friends by working on puzzles. Abby enjoyed running over the low water bridges and having Pops at her disposal. Patrick enjoyed fishing from the rowboat and dozing in the renovated library. I enjoyed the runs, the swims, the tennis and knowing I didnt have to cook meals or clean up...ahhh, I miss it!!

Father's Day

We went to Staunton's Frontier Culture Museum on Father's Day. The weather called for 60% chance of showers, but it was a bit cool and we thought it might keep the crowds down so we took the chance.

We had a great day. We rented a wagon to pull Abby, as there is a lot of walking involved and she was a bit tuckered out and grumpy. We also bought a little bag of feed to give to the geese and chickens. The kids really enjoyed this.

The big hit was feeding the piggies at the Irish Farm. They were filthy and loved the fresh green grass the kids were offering them.

They also enjoyed working with the farmer on the German farm, breaking flax and brushing it to make linen. They liked drawing water from the well on the German Farm too.

We had the place to ourselves nearly. We bought a family membership and hope to visit again... much cheaper than Six Flags, and much more educational...

Margaret at the Strawberry Fest, AP at Forrestry Camp

Bubby and her friend Ms. Ruth Anne took Margaret to a Strawberry Festival last weekend where they shopped til they dropped... It's become an annual trip and Margaret competed again to be crowned Miss Strawberry! She did great.

Dick too AP to Forrestry Camp in Appomattox on Sunday. He will learn about tree identification and logging techniques. We plan on picking him up on Friday and catching a Lumber Jack contest!