More adventures

Two weeks ago we drove down to Williamsburg to attend a young doctor's financial course. We learned basics about insurance, practice efficiency, retirement, and investing.

On our way there, we picked up Michael's two youngest siblings, Hyrum (age 16) and Melody (age 12) from Richmond. They babysat Clara in the hotel--going to the pool, watching PBSKids, etc.--while we were in our classes.

Then we took an afternoon to see a few of the sites. The fact that it was sweltering just made us grateful that it was only a reenactment of an era BAC (Before Air Conditioning).

We took a tour of the Governor's Palace. It was cool inside, which was part of the appeal.

Clara is apparently feeling some remorse for sending Melody and Michael to the stocks.

We also enjoyed a drum and fife parade. Clara liked it, although the sound was a little much. Hearing the music just inspired you to go out and fight the Brits.

 We enjoyed a little girlie time, too . . .

 . . . which had to include a tea party, of course.

In other news, you know how we've been trying to have more kids? Well, we've decided to get legal custody of one, but one with benefits. He's a teenager. He plays basketball. He is a good babysitter and keeps his room clean. He sweeps the floor and helps with the dishes.

Hyrum has come to live with us, possibly for the next two years. He is a junior in high school and will be playing basketball for a high school up here. It's a big change for him (and for us), but we feel peace about the decision. This is a critical time for a young man his age--both his parents and we (us?) have high expectations for him.

It will definitely be an adventure. And even though I'm not really the adventurous type, I realize that that's what life really is: one big adventure in preparation for an even greater one.

Who knew?

"I have hearing aids (aka her stethoscope). I am death," Clara informed me before doing some elaborate hand gestures (sign language).

I think anyone who wears hearing aids would be (1) insulted at being called "death," and (2) incensed to learn that they could have saved a boat-load of money by purchasing a Fisher-Price stethoscope to resolve their hearing deficits permanently.

Kindergartener no more

It is hard to believe that it is June and I now have a Kindergarten graduate. (I am glad they didn't have a "graduation ceremony"--I think that is a bit over the top. It goes right along with the idea that everyone gets a trophy even if they lose. What is up with that?)

Clara has learned so much. Last fall, if you recall, we started her in Pre-K in Georgia, planning on holding her back so she'd begin Kindergarten this next fall. However, as we prepared to move we discovered that she had to go into Kindergarten in January when we moved because she was already five. So after having only five months of Kindergarten, she has gone from hardly being able to write her first name to being able to write all the alphabet letters, most numbers 1-10, her first and last name, and learning to actually read.

 Her teacher, Ms. Moore, was exactly the teacher she needed. This was her first year teaching, and I'm sure she didn't anticipate having an adventure like Clara, but she was so great with her and I couldn't have picked a better teacher for her myself. We are excited for this next year because Clara (after going to a month of summer school) will be going into a transitional first grade class. This class has all the same requirements of a regular first grade class but has about twelve students in it and a lot of teacher support, focusing mostly on literacy and math to give these kids an extra-solid foundation for the rest of their school career.

This is what we found after we came home from an evening out: "Clara is the sweetest girl I have ever baby-sat. Whenever I get a call to come baby-sit I am so happy. I have a wonderful time baby-sitting Clara."

 Apparently we aren't the only ones who think Clara is pretty spiffy.

Here we go 'round the mulberry . . . tree

Our sweet neighbor, Hazel, (the one who invited us over for tea the day after we moved here) has taken me around town and has also taken Clara and me on some horticultural adventures. We've gone on hunts for wildflowers with five petals, different kinds of nuts, and different kinds of pinecones. Truth be told, Clara is not really in to this. But I think it is so sweet and fun.

Fortunately, our visit yesterday was one that was up Clara's alley: picking wild mulberries. Across from our house is a field, and Hazel has pointed out wild grapes, a wild cherry tree, wineberries, as well as the mulberry tree.(We've also seen quantities of poison ivy . . .)

 Ms. Hazel picking berries in a mysteriously overexposed fashion.

 The mulberries look like small blackberries but are much milder in flavor. Quite tasty.

Evidence of the occupational hazard can be observed on our hands and Clara's shirt. Still, I enjoyed mulberries in my oat bran this morning and Clara loved her yogurt and mulberry snack. She wanted to eat more but I told her we needed to save some for Michael. Fortunately, the tree is only a one yards or so away, so we can always pick more.

How fun is that?!

Full of surprises

Recently a friend of ours was sucked in to buying some seaweed paper from those enticing Costco snack sample ladies. After trying it on her family at home unsuccessfully, she asked us if we would like some. Feeling adventurous, I said, "Sure, we'll take some." Some apparently equaled a lot.

Clara was eager to try it. I told her she might not like it. 

But ever one to keep her parents on their toes, she liked it. A lot. Granted, it was salted and roasted with oil (although an entire package, seen on the table behind Clara, had a whopping 30 calories), but no amount of salt and fat would entice many adults, much less children, to gobble up such a treat. She kept trying to eat more and more. I'm not sure if she'll like it the next time she tries it (sometimes she's finicky that way), but it looks like we have a future sushi lover here.

Guests = one of my favorite things

Over the Memorial Day weekend we enjoyed some visitors. Although none could stay long, we had a great time with each. I just love having company over. I don't know why, exactly, but I do know that it makes me wish I lived during a time when ladies would have a calling time each afternoon to visit friends and acquaintances. Facebook, blogs, and emails just don't do it for me. I need face to face contact. I find it ironic and sad that as we become more interconnected through social media and a global economy we are in fact becoming more and more isolated from each other and are losing interpersonal skills and meaningful relationships.

But I digress.

On Thursday, my brother, Clay, his wife, Amie, and their four terrific girls dropped by for dinner on their "way" from Williamsburg back down to Georgia.

There was some playing on the bed.

 And some crazy antics from Uncle Michael. My nieces and nephews love Michael. It's like, "Hi Brittany . . . where's Michael?" I'm cool with that because he is pretty great.

Of course, we had the requisite group picture.

Before our grieving could last too long after Clay and Amie left (despite our efforts at pulling random plugs and belts from under their hood to keep their van from starting), my parents came and stayed for two nights.

Festivities included dinner al fresco. I like cooking for people. Especially for people like my parents who are so helpful and complimentary.

Our picnic in Big Meadows in the Shenandoah Mountains was lovely.

As was our brief hike.

As a side note, it's so nice to have someone else to take family pictures. And I'm sure you haven't noticed, but Clara really likes pink.

While my parents were here, our dear friends from BYU, Bill and Lisa Fredericks, dropped by for a couple of hours on their way to D.C. from West Virginia with their four boys. Clara had a blast and so did we. But we didn't take any pictures! So sad.

After my parents had to leave, we drove up on Memorial Day to Michael's grandparents' house near Gettysburg, PA. We hadn't been to their farm since I was pregnant with Clara.

This was taken at the end of a long, hot day, and Clara was not a happy camper. But she did pretty well during our visit, considering it was mostly just adults talking all day.

Michael's aunt and uncle were our hosts (they own the house that his grandparents live in). Uncle Gary is a chef at Gettysburg College and he made us a delicious spread for lunch.

We were quite spoiled--Grandpa made Michael a rhubarb pie (we all helped him eat it, though). He also ground some wheat flour for me and Grandma gave me a basket to take it home in. I felt like Little Red Riding Hood except that I was the one leaving with the basket and pie instead of giving it away. I didn't point out the irony, however, and left with a full arms and a satisfied stomach.

May the good times keep on rolling.