I am just back from the airport. James and William are on their way to Nashville. Oh, what a good time we had. THE BOY SAID SO! How quickly the time went.
Monday
As we are in the stretch of Sarah working the seven nights we had arranged with Robin to meet us with Caleb, Colin and Owen at 9:30 am at the Science Museum of Virginia (housed in the former Broad Street Station, built in 1919). James had William's Nashville Science Museum family membership card and showed it at the ticket counter. We were told that there was no charge for any of us. Wow, that alone could have made our day. But the museum was so much fun for all of us and especially the children though.
In the entrance is a huge pendulum clock. Everyone finds that fascinating.
When we were inside William found a screen were you could find yourself entering if you dialed it back to the right time.
Yup, there is Omi taken the photo.
I really didn't take that many photos. The four cousins were very busy running and exploring here and there. That kept us busy too.
Papa had found that there was the "Rat Basketball" event at 11 am. I think he and I had seen it a few years ago (with William?) and highly recommended it. The boys were fascinated. We were told about the life of the rats and how they are being trained. All very humane. Miss Abby (the white one) and Miss Vera seemed to enjoy it. Well, they got treats.
Sarah had asked her boys in the evening what they had liked best in the museum. I think Caleb had said the racing and finding out that he could not outrun the black bear. Caleb liked the Curious George section and Owen liked the glass elevator. I know William just likes science museums, period!
I liked that there was no "Men" and no "Women" restroom but this which is very helpful for the parents.
After the museum the 7 of us walked to Wendy's at the other side of the parking lot to have lunch. Four cousins on one bench having happy meals. And then we parted. It was the twins nap time.
At home William sat on the stairs to read two letters from his Mom.
His mother had mentioned taekwondo so he decided to practice without being nudged.
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And then he and James went to our CR pool. He mentioned that he really missed Caleb's goggles he had tried out and liked. So, after dinner I took him to Target not far down the road. We were lucky. He found a very expensive pair which was a great sale offer and was very happy. But the pool is already closed for today.
Tuesday
Sarah's birthday. My younger daughter born on this day shortly after midnight in Western Baptist Hospital. I remember it well. We came home the same day.
James and William went to see the new "The Lion King" movie. Both liked it very much. I had volunteered to make dinner for the birthday-girl and did the preparing. I also used the time while William was gone to write letters to him when he is back home and made them ready to post. I hope he finds one when he gets home on Thursday.
We took the dinner over in late afternoon. Caleb had been so excited about his Mom's birthday and with the nanny's help had "decorated" the shower for her. He had blown up all the balloons and Robin had tied them.
Monday the highest temperature had been 100 F and on Tuesday it was almost on the cold side in the upper 60s. But it was a day were finally windows and doors could be open, at least for a little while. We could eat the taco salad dinner out on the screened porch which is a great place to have a meal.
William had been disappointed that Caleb could not spend the night with him on Monday night. The reason had been thought that Wade had made the birthday-cookie with the boys that evening.
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Wednesday
After all those very hot days last week we had to take advantage of the perfect weather right now. William said he was up for going to the James River. And so we did. I think we started at 9:30 am and went to the parking place at the corner of Brown's Island Way and Tredegar St. "under the railroad tresses".
I love that pedestrian bridge under the highway. James loved showing his oldest grandson one of his favorite trail. William loved it. Belle Island is truly special. So much to see ... a granite quarry pit where campers were learning rock climbing, an old power plant, an iron foundry etc etc. besides nature.
On the other side we walked towards another bridge. William thought the vultures were a bit creepy. I think they found a dead squirrel.
It was time for refreshments and a little lunch when we were close to the Legend Brewery. You can sit outside in the shade and there was a lovely breeze. Oh yeah, lemonade and salad with double cheese but no dressing.
We went back to the other side over the new pedestrian bridge. Turtle watching!
Wow, we walked about 5 miles until we were back at the car. We wanted to spoil him with an ice cream but he said he didn't need one.
We had a quiet afternoon back at the house (no swimming for children at our CR pool on Wednesdays) and at 4 pm we left to celebrate more birthday. Sarah was done with her 7 nights of work which makes for a more relaxed evening.
When we arrived at their house William's dad Ben called FaceTime. William was delighted because he wanted his cousins to meet their Uncle. The whole thing was really sweet.
We didn't drive far to the Plaza Azteca restaurant at Westchester Commons. We were early and got easily a table for 8 but later it filled up fast. Food took a little while but the boys were loading up with the chips. The kept taking turns telling each other that they should stop eating them.
Owen said "when is our food coming?" You know how children can be a little impatient.
After dinner we spent a little time in front of the restaurant because there was a nice green space with a wall around. Sarah had lined up the cousins to take a photo. She shared her photos with me.
Is it called photobombing? I could not resist when I came from behind. Love it!
The run around and played tag. When it was time to leave they were pouting.
Saying good-bye. Never easy.
And then let the packing begin. And the washing of all his dirty clothes. The only thing needing to be washed when he arrives home will be his pjs which will be in his backpack and what he is wearing.
Thursday
I had to wake him this morning. He slept so peacefully. After breakfast there was still time to relax. The tablet needed charging so we found a place. But after he played with it we plugged it in some more in the car. Modern conveniences.
Yes, modern conveniences. Often I have to think about that. When I arrived in America 40+ years ago and was so far away from my parents there was no FaceTiming. On his own William said that he promises to do FaceTime with us. Looking forward to that.
Calling my parents 4000 miles away was not only very expensive but also complicated. Often the circuits were busy or bad. Landline rotary phones with cords where the only thing in the beginning. No internet. No email in the beginning. How fast things have changed. But I had a very good relationship with my parents, we wrote a lot "real" letters and they were happy with me.
Yes, modern conveniences. James and William arriving in Nashville could text me (and later FaceTime) that they had a good and safe trip. It was strange for me suddenly be all by myself after William's visit of 12 days. How quickly the time had gone. So many things had been a new experience for William. And he told us: next time he could come all by himself on the plane. The boy is growing up. Sigh.
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