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Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Beach Bound, Paradise

5 days and counting for our annual family beach trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina! Things I'm looking forward to:

1. Seeing my kids play with their cousins (both are walking)
2. The choice of pool vs. beach
3. Time with family
4. Sam & Omie's
5. Jockey's Ridge kite flying
6. Naps
7. Shopping
8. Morris' Farm Market
9. The Virginia Diner
10. OBX sea breeze

Before I can enjoy the perks of a vacation I must get our family packed and ready. I recently discovered Night Sky Farm's Wash Time Laundry Soap in Lemon Verbena scent from a local co-op we joined this year. This soap is amazing! I love how it is low suds and how it smells but most of all I love how it cleans bathing suits!!! I never can get that icky bathing suit smell out and this soap does it! Have I used enough exclamation points for you to understand my love for this soap? :) The farm also has a blog if you'd like to read more: http://www.nightskyfarm.wordpress.com.


Since we are getting ready to collide worlds with two 1-year-olds, I am planning on labeling a few things before we head south. I originally bought my first round of Lovable Labels when Savannah started preschool and have since bought a second round for her and one for Grayson as well. I love buying the labels as baby gifts too. These labels are so useful on toys, cups, bibs, any clothing or shoes. Labeling school supplies and items for Savannah's recent dance recital was so easy because I already had the labels. It's been just my kids at the beach up until last year and now that we will have 2 toddlers plus my 2 and 6 year-old. Let the good times roll!





Thursday, June 9, 2011

Virginia Beach

I got to tag-a-long with Christian on a work trip for a few days this week to Virginia Beach. (Insert big cheese smile here.) And speaking of tag-a-longs...I had no kids with me! How amazing of a treat is that??? We were able to work out childcare for both kids with family and friends. We are continually blessed. Really.
Upon arriving Friday, Christian headed to work and I headed to the spa for a pedi and massage followed by some sun-rays on the beach! Ahhh. We then had a fabulous dinner with a view at the newly renovated Isle of Capri. The first time we ate there we were taken by the ultra-cool table-side made Caesar salad. Yum. Best Caesar salad ever. Although we did not get the salad this time, I did enjoy some cooked-to-perfection pork medallions along with Confetti Cake from local bakery Confetti Caffe & Gelato.
Christian and I enjoyed going for a morning jog/walk on the boardwalk. Man what a nice place to exercise in the morning! It sure beats our uneven gravel driveway. I took a few pics for my blog. I wish I was a better photographer but the DROIDx will do for now.

The first is of the King Neptune statue on 31st. What a gargantuan statue! We stayed right next to the amphitheater there and it was rocking for the International Sand Soccer Tournament. Who knew there was even such an organized sport? The second photo is the view today from under my beach umbrella. The chairs here are so comfy. Ahhh...what a treat! And the final shot is looking at the bike path between the hotel and boardwalk. The palm trees almost make me forget I'm in Virginia.

Christian will be back soon. We are going to try a restaurant from my informal Facebook survey! :) Tomorrow my mini-vacation ends and Dance Recital Madness sets in. Soon after that we set sail for Nags Head, NC with both Christian's and my family! I love summertime.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Dress Rehearsal

Savannah has been dancing for two years now at the Diane Hale School of Dance and is preparing for her first recital with the school. The school has a recital every other year apparently because it is such a large production. This should have been my first warning I was in over my head. :)

We've already received our costumes, taken class photos, ordered t-shirts, stood in line for over 2 hours for tickets (yes to my own child's show), and are now approaching the last week of class and the DRESS REHEARSAL. Ack! I never realized how many details could possibly go along with a children's dance production. What have I gotten us into?

Hair up in a bun for the first dance, hair in a side ponytail for the second dance, pink tights for this dance, tan tights for that dance, bright blue eyeshadow and red blush only, eye-yi-yi. I think I'm in over my head.

Lake Anna

We visited with some friends this weekend on Lake Anna and were reminded what a wonderful retreat is so close to our own backyard.

The kids enjoyed the little beach area while taking turns on a jet ski! Thank goodness my handsome hubby doesn't mind taking them for a ride. This retired lifeguard still isn't comfortable with lake water or lake bottoms. Yes, I wore my flip-flops in the water. Teva's are so 1990's and I have finally retired mine.

This day spent with family and friends will go down in my book as one of the best yet. Oh how we are blessed. :)

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Thank you goodies

Now that I work part-time I decided I was going to get crafty with end-of-year thank you gifts for Savannah's teachers. I always read about cute ideas online and in my mommy magazines but never seem to plan well enough in advance to get anything together. This year I did and I am so excited to share them on my blog!!!
The first gift we made was a bouquet of chocolate for the bus driver, teachers, and the Principal. We changed the wording according to their responsibilities. We bought Easter grass on clearance along with the beach bucket after Easter and taped Kabob sticks to hold the candy up like a bouquet. The note included the name of the candy and a sweet thank you message. Feel free to download the jpg to use the wording as your own.
And the second gift I didn't really make but loved the 'little birdie' PDF I did make to go along with it. This was for our male Assistant Principal that likes to stay fit. I thought he might like something other than chocolate.

Our family has been continually blessed with amazingly kind and loving teachers, staff, and administration. We are thankful Savannah loves every part of her school day whether it be the bus ride, the lunch line, the classroom, and every resource class! Jouett Elementary is a special place.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

The Farmer's Market


Mineral has a fabulous Farmer's Market on Saturday's from 8-1pm. We try to shop there weekly to support our local growers and craftsmen and women. I thought I would blog about some of our family's favorite finds.

To start out we always go by and visit with Clyde & Sue Harkrader at Pink House Pigs. They sell pasture raised heritage breed pork. The breakfast sausage is our family favorite! We usually enjoy an authentic French chocolate croissant or sun-dried tomato quiche from the market while visiting with the Harkraders.

Fresh strawberries help wash everything down but sadly, they are almost out of season. Henry Foster has the best strawberries and always has the best produce of what's in season. Plus, he always gives my kiddos a 'Scooby-Snack' which they love! I love buying from Henr because I know he's raised everything he sells. Mmmm. :)

For gift buying and drooling I love to stop at Kristol Faucheux's The Magic of Ordinary Things (tMoOT) tent for some genuine craftiness. She makes adorable bags, frames, calendars, and broaches. And because of her fun blog I have been inspired to try blogging again. Thanks Kristol.

We purchased our kids' picnic table last year from Jim Groelke of Periwinkle Springs Woodworking and have gotten some great mileage out of it since then. Our dogs seem to like it as well as it helps them in their role of patio kings. I'm not sure how I feel about that with the recent improvement of their groundhog hunting skills.

Last week Christian and I ran into a high school classmate, Stef Florie, selling her Wired Stone Designs. Anyone that knows me well knows how much I love all kinds of jewelry. I hope to add a piece of her jewelry to my collection soon. Until then, I'll keep window shopping at her booth.

Once my daughter wakes up we'll be off to the market for this week's trip. :)

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Field Trip to CMOR

We love visiting the Children's Museum of Richmond at Short Pump (aka CMOR). Since the new Short Pump location is one large room I can let Savannah go from station to station on her own and still keep an eye on her while sticking with Grayson. The museum has tables in case we want to pack a lunch and eat there. We have been known to bring Chick-fil-A on occasion when in desperate need of groceries.
Grayson especially enjoys the hourly train ride and the pirate ship. (See below.)
  

I think Savannah spent at least half of her time in the craft room. I'm not sure where she picked up an interest in crafts. :) Thanks Grandma and Grandad for our CMOR membership. We love it! Did I mention it has great A/C on days like today?

A fresh start for summer!

Summer started this week for the kids and I. We are all excited for the fun days of summer. Play dates, sprinklers, bubbles, Popsicles, Play-dough, and swimming are on the agenda. Writing a family blog is something I continually ponder. It's the time commitment I struggle with like many hobbies and interests. So with a fresh start to summer, and now the month of June, I thought I would give blogging another try. :) Maybe if I can blog from my phone I could blog on the go? We'll see. Happy Summer!




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