Magic at the Library

Last Wednesday we took our weekly trip to the library. This week we saw a magician. It was just okay. But hey, we got out of the house and we signed up for a library card, signed up for the summer reading program and checked out our first book!

Engaged in the program...

\Not engaged in the program...

This week we're going to the Incredible Bubble Show. Should be interesting.

Homestead Heritage

Our church has a summer program called Kids Club that I have been made chairman over. The first activity we had was the water park (that you've already seen posted). This past week we went to Homestead Heritage. Its a Christian community just outside of town. It was great! We will definitely go back (when its not so hot).

Setting out on our guided tour with Burl, our guide. See Elijah way up in the front?...

Our first stop was an old barn built in 1760. It originally belonged to George Washington...

Getting a history lesson from Burl...

In one of the many gardens we got to see huge clumps of grapes growing on a vine...

We looked at goats...

Tried to take a picture. That's Emma Kate, Elijah LOVES her (so does everyone)...

He wanted a picture by one of the peach trees...

Then we saw a woman making yarn from wool...

And then making a rug...

It was amazing how they do this, it was a lot like playing the piano...

This was a butterfly garden. The butterflies didn't really show up on camera, but there were hundreds of them!!...

We watched a blacksmith make an intricate little leaf out of a piece of iron...

We also saw a carpenter make a "dove tail" joint...

Finally, we saw a potter "throw" a vase...

I didn't happen to get a picture of the stone mill. It was completely water powered. After seeing how they make the flour we went into a little bitty shop where they sell their mixes, honey, and baking products. I could have spent my life's saving in that tiny little store, but I used some self control and only bought some Apple Cider Cake Donut mix...yum!! I plan to take Beau back when they have their Sorghum Syrup Festival on Labor Day and watch them make their syrup (and of course buy some).

After our tour we enjoyed some delicious lunch at the deli (all homemade) and had some fabulous homemade icecream. They had Pecan Ice Cream made with their own pecans and sorghum syrup!!

The kids were zonked on the way home. It was a huge success!!

Happy Anniversary!!

Beau,
Happy anniversary to the best husband I've ever had!!!

No, really, you are!!

Kidding aside, I love you so much. You are a great husband and a wonderful father. I have really enjoyed the last 7 years being married to you and I hope there are many more years to come. I love the way you make me laugh. I love the way you love our children and I love the way you love me (not like that! well, yeah, but that's not what I was talking about!) I love you!

Erica

Holy Flash Bulbs Batman, That's A Lot of Pictures!!

Beau left town last Tuesday so I had a week of planned activities to keep the kids entertained and to keep my sanity.



Day #1: Water Park



Some of us moms at church took the kids to a local water park. We had a great time. The weather was pretty cool (80 degrees) and overcast so it was great.



"I'm ready for fun in the sun!"...





The best picture I could get...

At one point we had to sit out for about 45 minutes because of thunder. There was never any lightning so we were able to get back in...

While we sat out the kids still had fun playing...

Day 2: Library Summer Bash

It was POURING on Wednesday, but we still swam into the library. The party was supposed to be at the park with jumphouses and everything, but was moved into the community center. We still had fun though.

There was a balloon artist who was awesome. These were no normal balloon animals. This is a bunny...

Elijah asked for a giraffe...

He really was excited, pay no attention to his expression...

Yeah, having fun. Blah, Blah, Blah...

Going fishing...

We got some really cool prizes!

He was really concentrating...

Hmmm...this is great mom.

Finally a game Sadie could "play"...

Picking out a tattoo...

Showing off his giraffe tattoo...

More cool prizes...

Sadie taking a break from all the fun...

Elijah getting fingerprinted. Don't worry, he wasn't arrested. He enjoyed meeting a police officer and learning that police officers can help you if you need something...

While Elijah was getting fingerprinted I turned around and Sadie had stolen Elijah's sucker...





It was a little sweet!

Day 3: The Biscuit Brothers

Janice came and spent the night on Wednesday and kept the kids all day Thursday so I could work. They went to another local library and saw the apparently very famous Biscuit Brother Band. There were over 100 people there!

Waiting to begin...

Trying to get close to the "famous people"...

Thursday afternoon Sharon and Mimi came over to give Janice some relief.

Silly Sadie!

They decided to trek over to Chucky Cheese for dinner!

Mamaw and Sadie waiting on the pizza...

Janice teaching Elijah to skeeball...

I LOVE this! Mamaw and Elijah playing air hockey!...

Day 4: More library fun

This is something new. Sadie has started carrying her baby around everywhere. I think its so cute!!

We went to see Mr Puppet. Visiting with Mr Puppet before the show started...

Enjoying the show...

Friday afternoon after Sadie's nap we went over to the Weatherby's. The kids are showing Elijah their frog collection. Nice.

We had a great, week but we missed Beau!!