Sickness and Skate parks

Its been a different week around here. Shortly after my last picture post, I ended up with the flu. Wynne had a bit of it on Thursday, so I should've known I was in for it. I spent Saturday eve and all Sunday stuck in bed as Bryce took on full duties as dad, chef, housekeeper, activities coordinator and chaos police. He did superbly, so I think I am ready for a little trip away. It took me a few days to get back in the saddle. We did enjoy some story time, lunch out at a great new find called Gillies (in Blacksburg.) The boys thought it was a twist on Cafe Berlin, Main Squeeze and the Brewery, only without the meat.
Wednesday brought us so much sunshine we couldn't bear to stay in. We joined a playgroup, made some new friends, hit the Christiansburg skatepark, and signed Henry up for a Homeschooler Gymnastics class, which was a great success. He enjoyed being in a class with kids his age again and getting instruction from someone other than myself.

Before I get too ahead of myself, a word (or way too many) on skateparks. Now, I know we came from Columbia, so we thought our high ranking opinion of this course was swayed by the fact that its our hometown and...well, what's not to love about Columbia? Truth be told, it is the best course we've seen thus far. Fort Collins, CO has a skate park too, and although I did not attend this outing, I am told that Fort Collins has a lot going for it, but just not in the way of skate parks. Gig Harbor, WA has the best location for keeping teen crime down being as it is in the parking lot of the police department and city hall and across the street from the fire department. Very good idea in my opinion, in case of emergencies, especially. It is second on our list. Also, because it has a great bench in the shape of a giant skateboard. Now that's just fun. In St. Louis there are several, but Webster Groves has a really stupid one set up in their rec center area. Too many ramps, too close together and all that metal crap. no good. This skate park here (Christiansburg, VA) is fun, but one must take a steep, foot traffic only trail down, down, down to the park, which is small, but does, however, have a half pipe. This is a nice feature, but the patrons (due to it's path down shady lane, I believe) could, perhaps, refrain from being themselves if only for a short while. At least while kids under 10 are around. And we were there in the middle of the day, on a school day. I could also do without the college folks sending me the stink eye for bringing my kids. Its a public place people! Get over it. More reviews later. Just keep it in mind.

We are loving the sun here and I am sure to write more, but a Classic (Hair) Rock dance party has just begun on Wynne's request. Beginning with "Life's Been Good."
I don't think I ever want him to get his drivers license. Funny note: This week he told the ladies spinning society (a bunch of ladies sitting around spinning wool on spinning wheels) at the library that "Yeah, I like spinning wheels. I am going to have one in my race car someday, so when they change my tires, then I will spin wool." You can only imagine the looks on their faces.