Jamestown Getaway

We took a few days in April to enjoy a change of scenery.  We'd visited Colonial Williamsburg, but headed back that direction to check out a military base vacation lodging place (we recommend it for those who have access!), and to visit Jamestown.  The weather was absolutely perfect, which is always a huge ingredient for the making of a wonderful family getaway! 

Exploring the grounds near our cottage on the first night:

Checking out a trail that ended up being much longer than we realized!

This kind gentleman was a fun source of stories about what life would had been like when Jamestown was being established.

The replica boats were fun to explore.

On the grounds of the actual Jamestown settlement . . .

 After checking out of the cottage, before heading home, we decided to rent a fishing boat with a small motor.  It was the best money we spent all weekend!  $8 for a great memory of trolling around the little lake we had all to ourselves, chasing a crane (sort of!), letting the kids take turns steering, and soaking up some Vitamin D!

Dacing Sisters

The girls participated in dance this Spring and loved it!  We carpooled with two friends, and every Monday they went with five other girl friends to their ballet and ballet/tap classes - so much fun!  Then came the dress rehearsal for the recital, and the recital day, which included two performances.

Sweet sisters reading together:

Bridgette found some creatures on a nature walk field trip with friends from our co-op

Gretchen has always been one to find the sunny spot

Beginning of April

Happy Easter morning!

Christ is Risen! 

This is the first time I've ever purchased matching dresses for the girls.  How have I missed out on the magic for so many years?!  

We hosted three other families for Easter lunch . . . the kids table had a lot of fun! 

And a little egg hunt after lunch was fun for all.  Please, Bridgette, stop looking so grown up!

These are the faces of a Mommy Teacher and three excellent students who just finished their last co-op meeting!  School continues, but are grateful to slow the pace down a bit. 

Field trip to a Science Expo downtown . . . we opted for the Metro, which always adds a fun element of adventure to any outing!

building their own race cars . . . 

lots of opportunities to try out virtual reality . . .

Don't underestimate this six-year-old.  She'll take you down. 

Jessie and I are doing a monthly cookbook recipe share.  This month we're the Pioneer Woman's newest cookbook.  Flipping through the pages, the girls found a recipe for Cake in a Mug, and we just HAD to try it out!

Beautiful cherry blossoms downtown . . . we enjoyed a walk around the Tidal Basin with friends this year, taking in the pink blooms and trying to stay warm on an unusually cold Spring day. 

March Madness

We were spoiled in the month of March with TWO grandparents visits!  

Kaye K and Big Daddy came for a weekend in the beginning of the month, catching Rooke's last two basketball games of the season, and getting to join us for church at CBC on Sunday!  

Some in the family wanted to chill at home, but Bridgette, Kaye K and I were up for a little adventure to the Postal Museum, which is Bridgette's declared favorite museum, and one of the few my mom hadn't visited.  It was a beautiful day for a little walk downtown.

Frozen yogurt after Rooke's last basketball game!  

It's so good to be looooooovvvvvvveedd!!

A successful science experiment is a pretty big deal in our house!  My strengths are in music, not so much science.  So we make a big deal (like laminating for posterity) when something actually works!

Rooke cashed in his "Ice Cream Date with Mommy" coupon and we went all out with ginormous waffle cones!! 

Sometimes you just need a selfie with the people you love. 

Neighbors collecting at our corner, enjoying some early Spring sun.  I'm thankful for our sprawling outdoor space and the trampoline that invites kids and their parents to stop and linger.

Bridgette's Birthday!!  

Our beautiful girl turned SIX!  She's been SO ready for this birthday.  Most of her friends are already six, and she works hard to stay a part of what her older siblings do, so she's been ready for this official badge of "oldness" for a while.  I don't normally purchase new clothes for my kids (thanks to grandparents and thrift stores), but this jumper was screaming "Bridgette's birthday present", and she loved it as much as I hoped she would =)

We picked up two of her sweet friends and took them to the Postal Museum (yes, again!) and lunch out for a morning celebration with the birthday girl.

We kept the party going with more neighborhood friends over to decorate cupcakes! 

Cheers!

B showing off her new watch from the OK Paynes - she loves it!

 And the most special gift of the day was Grammy Deb's arrival!  Just in time for family birthday dinner and more cupcakes!

 

Grammy Deb arrived just in time for the first day of Spring - say what?!  We literally got at least eight inches of snow in one day, and the kids made the most of it!

We visited the Bible Museum while Deborah was here and paused for a quick photo with the rooftop view.

Grammy Deb helped proof Rooke for his Memory Master challenge.  It was special to have Deborah take part in one of our big learning goals for the year. 

And just before we said goodbye, the snow had melted and the temps were warm enough for ice cream!