into the woods

 


Friday's big Mizzou win, led us into the weekend in high spirits, and hoping for the best in the upcoming game Sunday.
Saturday we were back in Floyd, enjoying a great breakfast at the Blue Ridge Restaurant, which is THE place for breakfast in the fine town of Floyd. Following this, we headed on a twisty, turny drive to the Rock Castle Creek Nat'l Recreation Area for some hiking and exploring. On the way, we wound around and over mountains, great views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, preparing to burst with spring. We even spotted a "wild" toilet out in the woods on the way. Kinda wondered how it got there considering there was no remaining home nearby. Hmm? I digress.
The Rock Castle Creek trail might have indeed led us to a Rock castle, well...if we had remained on the trail. We stayed on the trail, progressing nicely alongside the creek for sometime, until the trail forked and turned away from the clear, bubbling water of the creek. That's where we lost the trail. The boys insisted on following the creek, which proved a great way for spending the day, discovering new ways to cross a creek on a fallen log, finding rocks we don't see in Missouri, we believe to be a pink quartz and some shiny, glittery galena. The boys were one skipped rock away from removing their shirts and diving in, when we followed the trail back, to head home for some all important cupcake baking and scootering, before a dinner invitation.
The Groot family welcomed us to their gorgeous home and farm with generosity galore. It was an evening of delicious food, lots of fun and many races around the barn. They had a band of "wild" Naraganset (sp) heritage turkeys, some fainting goats, more heritage breed hens and goat mothers-to-be. Henry and Wynne even got to search for eggs and assist with feeding chores. The boys asked Gail and Harry many times if they could just stay. This earned the boys an invite for goat milking time, coming soon. It was tempting to leave the boys with them...but alas, we feared for Harry and Gail's survival, so home it was with two very worn out boys. And sweet farm and wilderness dreams for those two very adventurous boys.

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.

snapshots

 

3.2.1...Blast off!

 


Finally, we have internet! Hooray! We have missed keeping up with all of you. Today makes 3 weeks we've been here in Virginia and we are really growing to love this place, despite the cold, wind and snow. With all that, it must have a lot going for it, right?

We have made some new friends, been new places and located all the libraries in the area. We even caught a Dr. Suess Birthday party last week and learned some new moves at an open gym program, and thank goodness for all of this because early on I thought I might just release the children into the wild out here based on their outlandish, alien behavior.
Apparently, all they needed was to get away from me (who'd a thunk?) and to be challenged a bit. Henry has learned to do some weaving and sewing, but more importantly, has developed an all new passion. Chess! He starts and ends everyday with a game, sneaking in as many as possible in between. The fact that he's already beat me, suggests that perhaps I should be sneaking in a few extra games myself. Meanwhile, Wynne is turning into a lego-maniac, building all the time. He has also learned to do a flip on the bar and a cartwheel. Singing rhyming songs is also a specialty. And Bryce, well, we don't see too much of him. He's too busy wandering the woods and talking on the phone. We do spend mornings and evenings and weekends with him, and for that, we feel pretty lucky. Today, its off to see a play and to check out the parks in the area, as it is finally going to be 50 degrees and sunny. Yippee!!!

new teeth

Bet you thought I'd never post again, but here I am. Procrastination at its best. Each day it gets a little tougher, since we've done a bit more. In fact, you may not even know where we are now. We have relocated to one of the original 13. Since my last double collage post on the 8th of February, when we were fresh from a visit to Pike's Place Market in downtown Seattle with Aunt Shelly and Logan we feel a bit like the Johnny Cash tune "I've been everywhere, man." From Seattle to Kansas City, down to Adrian to visit the Oates side, onto St. Louis to the Ski side, to Kentucky for some amazing grub (Lynn's Paradise Cafe in Louisville)to Charleston, West VA to see friends for a Valentine's day visit, and now here to Virginia.

In Adrian, the boys got to play with all of their cousins in a 24 hour period! Henry's smile was permanent. The kids really enjoyed themselves at Grandma Janet's and Grandpa Scott's while performing plays and stories together. Unfortunately, another video camera moment missed. And little Raquel is growing into a beautiful little lady, with her adoring brother at her side, helping Rachel at every opportunity. What a great big brother!

St. Louis spoiled us when Grandma Nancy sent Bryce and me out for an anniversary dinner date while she put the boys at work dipping chocolate strawberries and making us valentines. So sweet! Thanks mom!

We feel so fortunate having spent so much time with family in the last 6 weeks and still recount all the fun had with everyone, and many thanks to the Parrish family for all of their hospitality during our time in the Northwest.

Getting to our house here in Virginia went smoothly (mostly) and we are happy to have a great big place (with the dreamiest kitchen EVER) on Claytor Lake,off of the New River, near Blacksburg (home of Virginia Tech University) Christiansburg, Floyd and many other tiny towns all brimming with history and culture. Haven't explored too much since we've arrived, given the foot or so of snow on the ground and cold temps, not to mention the twisty, twirly roads out here, but when it warms up here pretty soon, we're sure to have lots of hiking, fishing, and other outdoor fun. I just hope I can find my way back when we do wander out.

One more thing. Henry is growing a new "Big" tooth! He hasn't quite lost the one in front of it, but its on its way out, and when it does, I will surely cry enough to bring the New River to flood stage. How did I get this way?

We miss all of you and hope to hear from you, and perhaps see some of you in the coming weeks. We have the space after all, so come on out ya'll!