Nurse Jessica...

Well, I have officially started up nursing school again. I don't know how I feel about it, but I think it is mostly a good thing. It is good to be learning, and I'm glad that I get the opportunity to put the effort in and finish this program that I have started.

Happy Belated Birthday to...Me!

In August I turned 31. I have been meaning to post about the wonderful day that I had. My awesome husband arranged a small surprise party for me, and he managed to completely catch me off guard. I have never had a birthday surprise party before and I felt so dang special it is ridiculous. I will post a few pictures and some more details later. The pictures are email attachments right now and I haven't downloaded them yet. I didn't want to wait any longer however, before I publicly thanked Charles for helping me feel like a million bucks. Good husband!

Charles to the rescue...

This is a beach story from our recent trip, told in Charles's own words:

"So Jess, Kathryn (my mum-in-law), the kids, and I are enjoying our second day out on Virginia Beach. The weather is perfect, even record heat for September, and we have been enjoying ourselves as we switch between body-surfing and frantically chasing the kids making sure they don't get swept out to sea by the two-foot waves. Yes, I know our kids are tiny as are their parents.

At this particular moment I am playing with Cole who is running in and out of the water gleefully trying to avoid the breakers. The beach isn't crowded but there are quite a few children, big and small playing around us. As we are playing I glance out about 10 feet and my blood runs cold. I see the back of a little girl's head just barely poking out of the murky dark salt water. I can't see her face as it's below the surface of the water but I can see the bright red hair ties weaving through her bristly hair. She isn't moving, aside from how she is being lifelessly tossed by the waves. I yell as loud as I can to Jessica to watch Cole as I trudge through the water to grab the child. My mind is playing out handing this child's body to her screaming parents.

I quickly scoop her up..."





"What is a coconut doing in Virginia?!?!?!? I had to take several minutes after that to recover the sturdiness in my legs as the adrenaline rush died down. Jess and Kathryn were quite amused by the event. Later on, another one drifted in and they could both see why it was so easy to mistake. Thank goodness it was just a coconut. Jess was proud of me for so heroically rescuing the drowning fruit. We kept it as a souvenir."

Yes dear, if ever I have pineapple in a predicament or a kiwi in a quandary, I know that I shall be able to count on you!

Science Museum of Virginia

When we were on our trip to Virginia, we spent a day in Richmond where my Mom had her conference. We went to Maymont (see garden pictures below) and to the Science Museum of Virginia (may be named the Virginia Museum of Science, I just don't remember). It was on a Tuesday morning, so it wasn't very busy. We have a COSI (science museum in Columbus) pass , so we were actually able to get in for free. I thought it was great fun, the kids had a great time and were able basically to play with a lot of REALLY cool toys. So, just want to pass on a tip to families that are traveling, if you have a zoo pass or a museum pass, check the affiliates, because you may be able to get into a lot of places free wherever you are going.

What we were doing during the wind storm in Ohio...

Earlier this Summer we had made plans to take a trip to Virginia Beach in early September. My Mom had a business trip in Virginia and had invited us to tag along, extend the trip, and enjoy some time at the beach. When the hurricane started to look worse and worse, we were concerned that we would have to cancel the trip because it might come up the coast. As it got closer it looked fairly safe, and we decided to risk it. So, during our trip we experienced gorgeous weather, sunshine and blue skies on the coast. Meanwhile we were shocked to hear that a huge wind storm had hit home in Ohio while we were gone, knocking out power for nearly everyone in Columbus for days, blowing down trees, and even causing serious damage in some places. Do we know how to time a trip or what?




Yes, I want to point out that I am the crazy Mom who covered her kids with all kinds of clothes, hats, etc.. on the beach and slathered sun block on all day. I just did NOT want to deal with sun burn, and I'm happy to say we didn't have any, despite clear skies, reflective water, and temperatures in the 90s.






Juliet was not a big fan of swimming in the ocean and being knocked over by waves, but she loved swimming in the pool, and playing in the sand.


A big thank you to Grandma Kathryn who made this trip possible, and who is just fun to hang out with.






Do you ever wonder if you are in the background of total stranger's photographs...in your swimming suit. I sincerely hope not. I left out a picture of one guy who was in one of our photos with about half a cheek hanging out.

Maymont

click to enlarge

Hi Everyone, it's Charles here.

During our four day vacation (to Virginia Beach) we actually spent our final day in Richmond so Kathryn could attend a work-related function. Meanwhile, the rest of us explored the area and took the opportunity to check out a place I remembered visiting a couple of times as a child 22 years ago. (I used to live in the Richmond area) This place is known as Maymont, a historic estate that has been transformed into a park, museum, and nature/wildlife preserve. Apparently I'm the only person in my family to remember this place, but honestly, how could you forget paradise?!?! Jessica was quick to call it one of the most beautiful places she's ever been. The pictures below are shots of us strolling through the japanese garden as well as the italian garden located there. The japanese garden is located in a ravine below the rest of the estate. When you descend into it you really feel like you've left America. As you can tell by the photos, Juliet was quite fond of the trees there. Click to enlarge...

Also there is a brief video at the end of an annoyed Juliet telling mommy that she can cross the bridge by herself. Enjoy!