Could there be Spring?

Driving back from Nashville there were stretches of wonderfully blooming redbuds. So pretty. A purple haze. We were wondering what ours was doing since it looked kind of dead for so long. But yes, it had just starting to bloom too. Spring is just late.

Sarah invited us to dinner and we were early to play a little with the children outside. They had a little snack outside.

The following weekend we had Schatzi as a guest because "her humans" went to Pulaski for Nana's birthday. We had done some work around the house and James was stretching his back on the floor. Schatzi was very concerned about him.

When we had to go out we left her in our bedroom. Sarah had said that she might jump up on the bed. She looked so innocent when I peaked in. Luckily she doesn't do that when we are in it.

We had some busy times. Besides our usual meetings we had season tickets for the Opera and the Richmond Forum. Both were super. 

Our opera tickets are a Sunday matinee and we try to go to the pre-curtain talk. We saw Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti. The information we had received at the talk made it much more enjoyable. The singers were unbelievably good. No ... great. And at the end ... Lucia and Edgardo had me in tears. That does not happen often. Everybody deserved the long standing ovation!

The evening with Joe Scarborough & Newt Gingrich giving their "Perspectives on the Party in Power" at the Richmond Forum was of course totally different. But very interesting too. Never like to miss either of those events.

When we had to take care of Caleb, Colin and Owen on Thursday because two of them were sick and couldn't go to daycare, it was a bit chilly outside but several times for shorter times we went out anyway.

No shortage of things to play with inside though.

And when it was late and everybody was tired there were books and the TV.

Saturday we helped out again. The Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park had a special event from noon to 4 pm: Sheep to Shawl. We had their van with the three car seats and the stroller. It was nice weather and a great success. 

Caleb was so interested in EVERYTHING. He got to spin (and keep the piece of string) and weave.

He kept asking whether there were horses and declared they were his favorite animals. We think this was a mule but it didn't seem to matter.

There was music and all three danced. Too cute.

At the end Caleb got to make a sheep at the craft table. And then it was time to go home.

All three fell asleep and when we reached their house so James and I took turns staying with them in the parked car while the other had a quick lunch.

And that is really it. After 10 years in this house we still finding things to improve and did do some assembly and mounting of shelves in our bedroom closet. What an improvement. James' side is done. Mine got planned and bought today.

As always I did some handwork/sewing. If you want to see you need to go to that blog.
Looks like I am caught up with this and its back to work on the monthly church newsletter.
Happy "hump day" today.

Spring break

... for William - - the week after Easter. So, Easter Monday was driving day. Not the very best day for driving. Fog in the mountains. Cold. Definitely not weather for picnic breaks.

We had started early and were in Nashville in good time. William spent all the nights with us. He loved Maren's gift which had come to Virginia and we had brought it. 

Maren had taken the photos for this little figure when William and I were in Germany last Summer and this is a second one he can actually have the figure himself. They are a bit breakable so are not really a toy. The figure is standing on the mantel and Helen has taken this photo. I "stole" it from FaceBook. Didn't think of taking this cute photo myself. Maren's company had a promotion for the figures before Christmas and that's why it came with the hat (which is just felt and not really part of it).

The weather was mainly lousy all week. William wanted to do a lot of baking. We made mini cheesecakes which he wanted to be lemony. No problem. We switched the vanilla extract with lemon extract. The boy has good taste. We made chocolate-pumpkin cupcakes. There were so many and except for William the rest of us didn't want to eat too many so some went to next door where 4 girls are living.

We did a lot of playing. His favorite is "Connect 4" and he is brilliant with that. Omi does not have to lose on purpose any more. He has strategies and wins fair and square. If he does lose he is very good and laughs it off. Fun boy!

We played dominoes and when he had enough of it we just built towers with the stones.

Helen came for lunch and hoped for tomato pie.

Papa and I also finally remembered the stones we had brought from Jordan last September. We had two different fossils for him and had some round stones we needed to crack open ... but were not that successful with that. May be Ben can crack the last one for his son in a vice. Still, he was very interested because he wants to be a scientist.

And when the four walls started to shrink the room we played Wii until he was Wii-ed out and practiced the crab walk for the end-of-school fest. Omi helped him with the wheelbarrow walk which didn't do her back any good.

One day the weather was just good enough to go to the zoo. After all, he got a membership from us for Christmas. He took the map and was leading us. Helen takes him quite often and he knows what he wants to see. James and I were impressed with the zoo.

He was very eager to do this ride though. It's called Soaring Eagle and is the newest design of zip line rides and the only zip line you ride BOTH ways and with a friend! Soaring Eagle lifts guests 110 ft high and several hundred yards back before releasing the seat for an exhilarating 28 mph ride back to earth. He was trying the find his way to it the whole time. They had to stand in line for a while. I had to leave. Helen was picking me up at the entrance so I could help her with a project.

Sunday evening it was time to say good-bye. Spring break was over. Helen and Ben had invited us for dinner which is always easier for William if we are leaving from their turf. We had a great time together. 

Monday morning we were on our way early again. You lose an hour going East. The weather forecast was not so great talking of snow etc. But luckily it wasn't bad at all.

Wished the two places were not 600 miles apart.We will be back soon though since William's birthday is in May !!!

A Blessed Easter

Holy Week was really special for me this year. We made it to service every day. Having been to the Holy Land last September really gave me a new feeling for everything. The weather (being quite cold this year) was kind on Good Friday and the Stations of the Cross service outside in the Memorial Garden was special. You can have a look in our monthly church newsletter here!

Easter Sunday service. Sarah and Wade had decided that they wanted to come to our church. We filled the pew very nicely. I had forgotten to bring the traditional bells but a nice church friend let Caleb have one to ring. And it wasn't a small one either, ha-ha.

Afterwards of course the traditional Easter egg hunt. Between Sarah and me we have quite a collection of photos and it was not easy to pick. Little children are always so cute.

Caleb enjoyed the "hunt", even though he is not even so keen on the eating. Colin and Owen had not really an idea what was going on. They carried their baskets in a way that they lost their bounty as fast as they would find something. It was fun though. It took all of us to keep them rounded up though.

They did cooperate with the picture taking. Yeah!

James and I went back to our house to change and get the lamb chops for the grilling and the shrimp appetizer (unfortunately we forgot to bring the mint sauce). Who would have thought that a 4-year-old loves the shrimp. And he is quite good pulling the tails off too.

Late afternoon we headed home to pack and get ready for the drive to Nashville the next day. James (with his long arms) helped to put the Easter decoration up. I have so much fun with the eggs. So many memories. They stay up til Pentecost (I know I have posted pictures every year).

It looks a little like Easter / spring outside.

Hope you all had a lovely and meaningful Easter time too.