June 12, 2024 Up North: Day 2

 Up north day 2- we covered New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and now we are resting in Maine! It was a long day of driving and lots of traffic, but we are excited to explore Acadia National Park tomorrow.

Five states, so five pictures of us in each state. I think most of them were taken at the Starbucks that we visited in each state! 

New Jersey

New York

Rhode Island

Connecticut

New Hampshire

June 11, 2024 Up North: Day 1

We decided to travel up north through the New England states and into Canada.

Up north day 1: we left VA, saw a bit of WVA, and a whole lot of Maryland. Then we drove around in Delaware a bit while looking for a national park (we found the sign for it, but still did not find the visitors center). We finally stopped in New Jersey for some supper, time in the pool, and what we hope will be a good and restful night.
 

April 26, 2024 Dance

This was Grace's 8th grade dance.  The theme was a night under the stars, so she wanted a dress that sparkled.  I think that we did a pretty good job finding this dress at a thrift store that sparkled and was blue like the school colors. 

She had a great time dancing and hanging out with her friends.

December 23, 2023 Baby Goats

One day while the kids were ice skating they encountered a few other "kids."

Someone brought a bunch of baby goats to the skating park to help socialize them to other people.

My kids were very willing to help with the socialization.

I think the goats were pretty happy with all of the attention that they got.

I know that my kids were very excited about the surprise they found when they thought they were only going to go ice skating.

 

March 31, 2024 Happy Easter!

 

March 29, 2024 JMU Arboretum

It was a beautiful spring day so we decided to go on an adventure.

We drove to the JMU arboretum.  It is a hidden gem that is not too far away.

We walked around and since it was early spring, not many plants were growing.

However we found a fun play area for younger kids.  For a moment my big teenagers were little kids again.

They climbed, became fairies, played in sand, and just had a grand time in general. 

It was just a wonderful day in the chilly early spring.

  

March 14, 2024 Flashback

 This is a picture from March 14, 2015.  Grace you were 5 and Glen you were 3.  I am amazed that you both still mostly fit on that chair with your Papaw.  And Glen I love that you are still wearing your orange hat.  There was a time when you would not go anywhere without that hat.

December 30, 2023 Glen

Happy 12th birthday sweet boy! 

  

December 26, 2023 Ice Skating!

 One of the things that I absolutely adore about our town is the fact that we can go to the ice skating rink as much as we wish.  We try to go once a week or once every other week.

The kids love skating around and meeting the others at the park.

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When we moved here, the kids took ice skating lessons to learn how to do this safely.

So now, they are confident and happy on the rink.

I love to see them doing things that I would have never imagined doing growing up.

I hope they are able to keep up this activity.

December 19, 2023 Grace

Happy 14th birthday sweet girl!

December 17, 2023 The Nutcracker

In the past I have taken Grace to see the Nutcracker.  But that was a few years ago and she was much younger.  This year we decided to get tickets to the local production of the Nutcracker being performed at Bridgewater University.  I was wondering if it would be enjoyed by all.  I discovered that everyone enjoyed it much more than expected.

Matt enjoyed putting a visual to all of the music that he has heard for so long.  Glen loved the dancing, especially the fights and the rats.  Grace loved seeing her friends and the beautiful dancing.  I loved it all but especially seeing everyone enjoying themselves.
 

December 13, 2023 Strings Concert

A wonderful bonus to having both of my children at the same middle school is the ability to see them both play during the same strings concert.

Glen is getting stronger with his violin and he really seems to enjoy playing it.

Grace loves the violin, but has expanded to learning the bass.  This has been a challenge, but one that she has been enjoying.

Being someone who always played piano, I never imagined my kids to pick up violin or bass, but I am so glad that they have the opportunity to do that at their school.

October 22, 2023 Pumpkin Patch

I say that we went to the Pumpkin Patch, but really when we go here each year we actually never go to the pumpkin patch...we do all of the other activities!

Glen was able to enjoy the day with his new acquisition, a stuffed cat.  He had the money and decided this is what he wanted more than anything else.  

The slide is a yearly tradition.  And also it is the location at the pumpkin patch that we usually spend the most time.

We also make sure to go to the pig races, and visit the farm animals.  The sling shot is also a popular activity when we visit.

Here is the obstacle course.  Grace and Glen usually like to chase each other through this activity.

Finally you can not forget about the yearly picture by the Love sign.

We love our tradition of our yearly visit to Back Home at the Farm.
 

October 21, 2023 State Cross Country Race

If your time during the cross country season is good enough you have the chance to go to states.  States is held right outside of Richmond and the course is a bit longer than the normal middle school cross country race (which is 2 miles).

Grace's time was fast enough so we went to the race.  The above picture is Grace right before the race, trying to stay warm, fed, and distracted...knowing she had a big race ahead of her.

She did really well.  I am so proud of her finishing out the season in this way.
 

October 7, 2023 Picture of Glen

 Simply an amazing picture of Glen.  He was camping with his scout troop at Camp Shenandoah and his troop leader took this picture.  I love the fall colors.

 

September 2023 Cross Country

It has happened, and it is wonderful!  I have both kids running cross country at the same time.

This is Grace's third year running, and this is Glen's first year running.

The girls always run first in the races.  Then the boys run about a half hour later.  

So Glen would cheer on Grace as she runs by.

While Glen was running, Grace would get back on the track and run beside him to help encourage him to keep going.

I think that was my favorite part of this season.   To see my two kids running along and working together.  Grace did not have to do that, but she did it almost every single race.

Sometimes Amy even went out and ran with Grace to encourage Glen!

I am so proud of these two.  Cross country is not easy but they did it and they did it together.