Yum... Fried pies!

Samantha had speech this morning, then we headed to The Original Fried Pies Place and picked up some pies for Girl Scouts tomorrow night (and of course, we had to have one for ourselves) YUM!

We tried to visit with Meme, but she didn't want to wake up...but her roommate was in rare form! She was yelling and fussing at the nurses (kiddos and I were trying not to laugh) she was just funny! Meme didn't wake up enough to know we were there...

A trip to the library netted us many books - there is a sudden interest in chapter books around here! YAY!  They picked up quite a few.

Music lessons, lunch and a stop by the florist wrapped up our afternoon.  Roger had ball practice, Riley had ball practice and Sam and I headed to church!

Everyone is finally home (or where they are landing for the night) and I am about to catch up on my Survivor!!

Bible study

One of the mom's in our homeschool group started a *tween* bible study.  We are using the book Choose and she is there to keep the kiddos on track, but they pretty much ran the group today - opening prayer, discussion-staying on track, and closing prayer - they did great!  There are 8 of them, age 9-12 and they seem to get along pretty good.  I am excited to see how things work out.

After Bible Study, I meet with one of my besties for lunch! Hadn't seen each other in a couple weeks, so it was nice to chat!

A few errands and then picked up a friend's kiddos after school - boys and rainy days don't go together!

Kiddos went to see The Aluminum Show with Aunt Chelle (birthday gift) so Rog and I went grocery shopping and picked up pizza! Sounds fun huh?

Back to normal- what's that?

Well, I think we may be back to normal routine -- whatever that may be!! We did sleep in a bit this morning - it was cold out, so it was hard to get out of our warm beds.  We did a few chores, Samantha went to speech, the we dug into the school work!  They were able to focus and we got quite a bit done!  While they were making their lunch, eating and cleaning, I knocked out a bit of out-loud reading to them. 

After lunch, we went to the nursing home.  Our 4H is having a Fashion and Fine Arts night (musical competition) and so we set up a *practice* run - so a few of the kiddos could get a few minutes in with an audience.  We got there early to visit Meme and Ry gave her a private concert - played/sang The Old Rugged Cross - Meme's favorite song. 

 Samantha was first- she was nervous, so I talked her into going first and getting it over with.  She did really well... She played the piece she is working on for Spring Recital and a few others that she enjoys playing.

Riley was last, the piano players all went together, then he finished up with his guitar.  He was even more nervous than she was!  He did great and he even sang - quietly, but he sang!

There were only a couple of others that showed up, but it turned out great and I am going to look into having something there on a more regular basis.

We can home to chicken thawed out...my original plan was chicken noodle, but I changed my mind and threw together some chicken soup with rice - turned out yummy! and we ate all of it??

Kiddos are winding down for the evening and I am going to see about updating my blog AND getting photos organized and maybe uploaded to facebook? 

Finally home!

We got up fairly early and headed the rest of the way in... after two days in the car, I am glad to be home.  There is so much to do, but I just wanted to sit...

Although I missed the meeting I had on the calendar for the afternoon, Roger was able to make it to his ball practice.  The kiddos and I went to Chelle's to hang out til dinner time... we were too tired for games... came home and are headed to bed...

On the road... ALL DAY LONG!!!

Rog and I got completely packed up and ready  to load up last night...and then helped the rest of them this morning.  Was sorta happy to see this, but knowing we were almost on the eastern edge and we had to go to the western edge... wow - what a drive looming in front of us!We got on the road almost an hour after we originally thought we would be headed out, but we made good timing and made it to our destination at dinner time.

A quick dinner at Cracker Barrel and now we are ready to crash for the night... complete the rest of the trip home tomorrow!

Never heard of Monticello.. until this week...

Monticello is the 5000+acres homestead of Thomas Jefferson.  Monticello was a very pretty place (I am sure it would be beautiful in the late spring, early summer when the trees are in bloom).  It is also a VERY educational field trip. The house was a *no touch* zone, but underneath in the cellar area was hands on and at the visitor center was very hands on!

And back to DC we go ~ almost!

Today we went to the Air And Space Museum at Dulles airport. Kiddos really enjoying roaming around... and fighting over me... they decided that I should be in a wheelchair today (*it was a smart move*) so they fought over who was going to push me. I am not sure how much they absorbed with all that was there, but I know I learned a lot!

When in Virginia....go to DC!

We drove to the outskirts of DC, hoped on the metro and rode right to the middle of it all.  Nothing really to say, so I will let the pictures do the talking.. for the most part!