Virginia Transportation Museum

This summer, the boys completed a summer reading program through our local library. One of the rewards was a free ticket to the Virginia Transportation Museum. Jerry and I took Alex last summer before Roo was born, but we thought he'd like it more now since he's a little older. Both boys had a blast watching the model trains, playing on the playground, and climbing in and out of the big trains. The museum does feature other modes of transportation besides trains, but since we're in the heart of train country up here, that's a lot of what they've got.
 

The Little Men's Big Adventures: Williamsburg, Jamestown and Virginia Beach

While Jerry had been working to surprise me with a visit with my mom for the first week he was in Ireland, the boys and I were planning to join my friend Lauren and her girls at her parents' house in Yorktown for the second week he was gone. BIG FUN!

Our big outings were to Colonial Williamsburg (twice), Jamestown and Virginia Beach.

Colonial Williamsburg was every bit as amazing as you'd expect it to be. I must go back! If you've never been, add it to your bucket list. You won't be disappointed! I've heard the Christmas season is a great time to visit because the decorations are all true to the period. I can only imagine. This place is like taking a step back in time.

We actually got to see this cannon fired at the Fife and Drum ceremony.

Alex and Charlotte checking out the horses.

That tongue. =) Pointing to the sheep.

Alex was very interested in seeing the sheep. He and Roo took turns petting them.

An after-lunch treat. They would run from shade tree to shade tree, resting under each one while sucking their ring pops.

Blue and green tongues. =)

An evening in Jamestown where we got to look out over the water and enjoy some Ben and Jerry's.

Watching a big ship in the distance (that isn't in this photo). The ship looked like the Nina, Pinta, or Santa Maria.

The Fife and Drum Corp. They did a small re-enactment which included firing their muskets and the cannons. Alex "held his ears" by putting the monster trucks over them. LOL!

Local students playing in the corp.

A morning at the beach.

Part of the shell of a horseshoe crab. They were all over the beach. We had to be careful because their shells and tales were very sharp.

This beach was so charming. I could have stayed there all day and then some. But lunch and nap time called. Ah, such is the life with little ones. ;-)

First Day of School

Yesterday Alex started his second year of pre-school. 

Alex's teacher, Mrs. Everett, sent him a letter a couple of weeks ago telling him how much she was looking forward to having him in her class this year. She also sent him a name tag to wear for the first day.

When we first walked into the room, I wondered what he was going to think because there were NO CARS to play with. None! Let me tell you, if you ask Alex what his favorite part of school was on any given day last year, the answer was, "Racing cars." Ask him his favorite part of Sunday school at church, "Racing cars." The favorite part of his day at home with me? "Racing cars." Racing cars is a BIG DEAL to this little guy. So when we walked in, and there were no cars to be found, I wondered how he would react. Fortunately, there were no meltdowns. He walked right over to the dinosaurs and started playing. Whew. Crisis averted. Although when we got in the car, he did tell me that when we go back to school next time, Mrs. Everett was going to pull the box of cars out for him. He must have put in his request! LOL!

When Alex got his letter from his teacher, I told him that I had been praying for him to have a great teacher this year – a teacher who would love him and encourage him and teach him wonderful things about Jesus. And how I just knew that God had answered my prayers when he got Mrs. Everett. She is so kind and sweet with him. When we left yesterday, he hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. Alex is not one to freely hand out affection, so it made me smile that he seems to really like her.

These are Alex's two friends who are going to school the same two days a week as him. They are in a different class than Alex. I wondered if he was going to be sad not being with them, but he really handled his first day back like a champ and wasn't sad at all. I'm so proud of my little guy and look forward to all the wonderful things this school year will bless him with!

A surprise visit with Noni

Recently, Jerry took a two-week business trip to Ireland. I had no idea that he had been plotting and scheming for weeks prior to have Noni come spend a week with us while he was gone.  Imagine my surprise and screaming excitement when I walked through our front door on a Saturday afternoon after having a manicure – that he scheduled for me so that I would be gone when he went to pick her up at the airport – and saw her sitting in the floor playing with Alex! I did a double take because I couldn't believe my eyes! It was the BEST. SURPRISE. EVER!! So grateful to have such a thoughtful, sweet husband!

The boys and I had so much fun running here, there and everywhere with Noni. It was the first visit in a while that didn't involve a holiday or birthday planning, so we just set sail wherever and whenever we wanted to. We most certainly wore ourselves out and had the best time doing it! And I sure was grateful to have the help since we were a man down in this household. ;-)

Here are a few of our adventures...

After hitting a local yarn shop for Noni's knitting addiction, we shared pizza and a bottle of wine (for the grown-ups, of course) on a beautiful covered patio in downtown Blacksburg,VA.

One of the Hokie-birds near the Virginia Tech campus.

We made it our mission to find as many Hokies as possible that day.
We kept busy – there are a TON around this part of Virginia!

Frozen custard after our lunch in Blacksburg.
His flavor choice? Chocolate. With M&Ms and hot fudge.
Is there anything else?

Roo-bear attempts his first paint-with-water project while Noni helps.
He got a wee-bit over zealous and tore his art project. LOL!

Alex found this monster mask at Joann's one day. He's into the monsters for the moment.
Noni and I laughed because this little monster seemed to suit him -
neat and tidy with a similar little hair style. =)

Painting his mask. The boy only uses one color these days - BLUE!

All done!

Mister/Uncle Troy - or, Mr. Cun-Cho as Alex calls him - dropped by for a visit and spent a couple of days with us, too. Mr. Cun-Cho took Alex on his first Jeep ride around the block in our neighborhood, and now Alex is very much looking forward to riding in Pop Pop's Jeep on our next trip to Texas.

Noni rewards hard work. After Roo reached and reached for the crackers,
Noni couldn't help but give him a few for all of his efforts.

We visited our favorite creek spot for the first time this summer.
Alex could spend all day here.

Alex and Mr. Cun-Cho throwing rocks. Life doesn't get much better than this for Alex.

Roo-bear had a fun time wading the waters, too.

Getting sleepy and taking some time out for Noni-loves.

Fast friends.

Noni was gleefully giving Roo-bear a little treat.
Not sure who took more delight in this – Noni or Roo.

The boys sporting their Where's Waldo eye-wear. So funny!

Such sweet boys!

Many thanks to Daddy, Noni, and Mr. Cun-Cho for a week full of wonderful memories! We love you all!