Our Trip to Ohio

Jerry had to travel to Kettering, Ohio on business this week so Will and I decided to go with him.  We went with him about this same time last year and enjoyed a couple nice parks in the area, one with ducks to feed.  It was definitely too cold to play outside this time but we found plenty to do.  Our hotel had an indoor kid's pool that Will enjoyed one afternoon.  We also found a Toys R Us and a play area at the mall, both of which provided some entertainment.

Cabela's in Wheeling, WV was a nice rest stop on the way up and back.  Interestingly, on the way up we "attended" a wedding vow renewal.  We stopped at Cracker Barrel and right there in the dining room was a woman in a rather unique white dress with a big over-the-top hat.  The Reverend was there and everything!  Had I known in advance I'd have dressed for the occasion!  All these years I guess I've overlooked the romantic atmosphere of the Cracker Barrel.  Maybe it's the fireplace... who knows!     

I asked Will if he would like to see a moose in real life.  He said "Yes, and I'd like to shoot it."  I said I would rather take a picture of it.  He replied "I'd rather see one and shoot it because I like to eat moose meat."
My dad would be so proud!!

Will asked why the yellow letter has arms!  He has been so inquisitive lately.  I never realized
there were so many questions that I just don't know the answer to! 

Baking Cookies with Daddy

I wasn't feeling very well so Jerry entertained Will by baking banana oatmeal cookies with applesauce.  They turned out great!

Trough Creek State Park

We decided to ride out to Trough Creek State Park and look around this afternoon (well, it was more like evening by the time we got out the door).  It was such a sunny day we just wanted to get out of the house. 

After missing our turn and backtracking about 5 miles, we found the park and decided to walk to Balanced Rock.  It was a beautiful walk, though it was a little chilly since it was such a shady area.  This will be a wonderful place to return to this summer!



Will especially loved the suspension bridge over the creek.



Will cooperated so well for all the pictures today.  I think he was
just very excited to be outside with Jerry and I.

First Day of Spring

I was pleased to see that all the daffodils I brought from Covington survived the move.  How wonderful to see the little harbingers of spring popping up!

I do miss my hillside of daffodils!

Will and Jerry

Jerry showed Will his collection of cars from when he was little. 

They both were so excited to check out each one.

Will started a game of gator golf.

And Jerry joined in.

Will learning the finer poins of the game  : )

Enjoying a Beautiful, Warm Day

We went to Detweiler Park before lunch.

Then we met Jerry for lunch at the park in Alexandria. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day

We did lots of fun things to celebrate and learn about St. Patrick's Day today. 

We started the day with green eggs (with spinach), which I was
delighted that Will loved.  He actually finished those before his jelly toast!

Then we had a treasure hunt - each shamrock he found had a riddle
leading him to the next one...

And finally to the pot of gold.  Will thought it was a jar of pennies!
Had I known he would be that excited about pennies I would not have
spent so much time searching for chocolate gold coins at Wal-mart last night!

Later we decorated shamrocks and learned about St. Patrick
with Natalee and Brady.

The inevitable tongue hanging out!!  He was concentrating so hard!

For lunch we made green (spinach) macaroni and cheese with kiwi shamrocks.
All three kids actually enjoyed the green macaroni.

Shamrock breadsticks accompanied lunch,
with green spinach cupcakes for dessert.

Then we played outside and enjoyed the beautiful, warm day!

Will's last treat of the day was making a green smoothie with Daddy.

Weekend Trip to Covington

Jerry took the day off work this past Friday and we went to Covington for the weekend.  We left Thursday evening after Jerry got home and drove the majority of the trip in pouring rain.  We didn't get to mom's house until almost midnight - what an exhausting drive! 

Friday we enjoyed a trip to Roanoke to pick up a few summer shirts for Will before our vacation.  Saturday evening we were invited to a wonderful dinner at The Homestead in Hot Springs by Aunt Andrea's new boyfriend, Richard.  We had a great evening and really enjoyed Richard's company and generosity.  Will even had some fun dancing, which is something he never does!  On Sunday we visited the Maple Festival in Highland county for our traditional breakfast of pancakes, home made sausage, and delicious maple syrup.  This year breakfast resembled a small family reunion with 13 of us packed into the Bolar Ruritan Club.  Grandma Margie joined us along with Uncle Tommy, Aunt Diane, Dillon, Kristen and Wendell, Aunt Andrea and Richard, and of course mom and Grandad.

The weather was so nice all weekend.  Will loved getting outside
to enjoy the sunshine (and the mud).

The Homestead

I need to figure out how to best use my camera in low lighting
with fast motion!  But I was just so amazed that Will was dancing
that I had to share the moment despite the poor photography.

  

It Snowed - Again!

It started raining Saturday afternoon, continued raining through Sunday, and turned into snow Sunday evening.  We woke up to almost eight inches of snow Monday morning!  Thankfully schools were only delayed two hours so Will still got to go to preschool (a good thing for me and him both)!  We had to get up early and drive Jerry to work so we would have the Explorer to get around in.  The snow was beautiful though - it came down in huge flakes and stuck to everything.  Then it was sunny this morning and everything just sparkled.

Dessert with Daddy

Jerry and Will have been enjoying fruit smoothies for dessert in the evenings.  Will enjoys making them as much as drinking them, especially since he is making them with Daddy.  He absolutely idolizes Jerry!

He was concentrating on blending it just right.

The Mad Face

Will is again testing his limits, though thankfully it isn't as bad this time as it was a few months ago.  This is his newest way to show his displeasure.  We get this face whenever we have done anything he doesn't like.  This particular look was in response to being told it was bedtime.

I honestly find it hard not to laugh at his mean face!