Stagnation

She loves her friends

I am needing inspiration to keep a whipper-snapper of a child engaged, challenged and happy. We have done "school" in the afternoons for about 10 months now, but I sense that she is getting bored with the predictability of what we do (and I am a little too, if I am being honest). I sense that this may be an issue we will face when she enters school as well. She has inherited my sense of order and perfectionism, which makes for frustration and giving up when she feels she "can't do" something the right way the first time and blocks most avenues to any real creativity. I need some new tricks up my sleeve for a kiddo who has started calling dark blue, "indigo"...for real (thank you, PBS and ROY G. BIV...why am I 35 and just now learning this?).

Ideas to add to my repertoire?

We've also regressed a little. 2-3 accidents a day nearly everyday, IN THE BATHROOM.

Something is going on here.

Also - random picture, I know, but our camera is still on the fritz as you can tell by the dark and grainy photo. I am hoping Santa brings a new one on his sleigh this year, as I also need a creative outlet.

The James River

I have crazy-mad-love for these two

Grandma C. & Grandma S: See Hollywood Cemetery on the hill off in the distance, which you both visited while here.

Ada, using a lesson from her new book, The Fabulous Flying Fandinis, "Try something fun. Try something new."

Go ahead. Laugh WITH me.

But first, a fast and furious trip of Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg. You know, the first European colonies. We decided to get out of the house today. Sam made a good decision for the family by picking this spot. I don't get out much, so it sounded good to me as long as I didn't have to plan anything.

I made omelettes (I'm getting good at them, by the way). Sam loaded the cooler. We bathed the kids. We piled in the car just in time for Quentin to take a good, long nap, and off we went to take the scenic route for a little bit of colonial American history.

We'll take you to both places if you promise to come and visit us. We miss you.

Jamestown Memorial -- marking the birthplace of Virginia and the United States.

Look who can't take his eyes off of Pocahontas

1907 version of an old Jamestown church. You could see the original 1600's foundation inside the church.

Quentin showing off his new moves.

Graves that were once concealed by a building. The Europeans did not want the American Indians to know how many settlers were actually dying, so they buried them in the ground within a building.

The hat actually does fit him. I promise.

Proud of himself for standing up

Cutest stinkin' kid!

Laughing at herself because she refuses to "say cheese." I think I won.

A fast snapshot in the horse trough, before someone notices.

Sass at the "wishing well."

After Jamestown, we drove into Colonial Williamsburg.

The College of William & Mary resides in Williamsburg, which sets the tone for the kind of town Williamsburrg is, as does the Bowden-Armistead home above.

There were many sweet surprises on this visit -- we stumbled upon this very cute garden during our walk.

Ada and I enjoyed this marketplace within the garden. A bit pricey though.  Nearly $60 for a trowel. Yep.

A shot of Bruton Parish Episcopal Church -- built over 300 years ago. Ada thought it was a magnificent castle.

For real.

A "beautiful princess" waiting with her father outside Bruton Parish. Best part of Ada's day. This town was amazing, swank and very classy. I am sure it is spectacular during Christmas. We did get various looks from passersby, as if they were thinking, "look who the cat dragged in." I could do without the snobbery.

OK, now is time for you to laugh with me. I attempted to make costumes for Halloween this year.  Epic failure.  Ada was going to be Orphan Annie. That "dress" has now made its way to the costume drawer -- fortunately only a $9 investment.

I wanted Quentin to be Sandy the dog, but could only find dalmation dog costumes. Then I decided to make my own costume for him...future costumes will be store-bought all the way.

Thank you Aunt Stephanie, for giving this giraffe a fun Halloween!

Humpty Dumpty. Go ahead. Laugh. As long as you're laughing with me. We did not make him wear it trick-or-treating.

When did you say you were coming to visit??

2:51pm

Happy Birthday to our sweet boy!