A Tale of Two Weekends

I am three weeks back at work now, and one week back into classes. I feel in the thick of it, now! It's funny, if it was up to me when the semester would start, I don't think it'd ever begin. I just wouldn't have the courage. But once it begins on its own, I realize what a big package of gifts it is. I've got a variety of stimulating classes to caption, I've got one I'm taking that's teaching me to relish poetry again, and I've got a variety of simple and delightful weekend activities to look forward to all week. On my good days, I can appreciate this deeply. But even on the bad ones, I know I'm lucky.

Two weekends ago we made our second visit to the annual Montgomery Museum Heritage Festival. As with last year, the favorite attraction was the livestock.

These calves were literally born yesterday (I mean, the day before).

I just thought this sheep had beautiful eyes.

The purpose of this picture is to show growth. Here is Adele in the same position, last year:

In case I forget that a year is, really, quite a long time.

 Miles had a great old time. He made a turkey-calling redcup craft, and even sat for his portrait!

Blacksburg's beloved "Dr. Moon" was on site to play James Taylor, John Denver, and Jim Croce hits. Obviously, I loved it all.

And so did she:

This past Saturday, we made a long overdue visit to Jon's sister, Michaela, known to the little people as Tita, and to now-Uncle Marshall. We saw their big, beautiful old house and enjoyed the menagerie of animals (three dogs, a lizard, several tanks of fish, two turtles and a huge snake... did I miss anything?). And after naptime, we went to Lynchburg proper to visit the Riverside splashpark.

Awesome, right? Too bad it started raining furiously like an hour into it and turned the whole place into a splashpark.

At first Adele was like this...(she famously hates pools)

But the little waterlogged friends and the giant spouting fish won her over.

Uncle Marshall's antics helped, too!

Miles went for it with no reservations. He even pretended to enjoy getting dumped on by the water bucket.

We had a good old time at that park for as long as we possibly could. When the rain became too much, we went to ChickfilA for dinner and some more (indoor) play. We had just the time and wherewithall to snap this shot before the party had to depart:

Weekends leave an especially sweet taste now that I remember them from my quiet office.

Miles starts year two of preschool TOMORROW! It's sure to be a year full of change, growth, and joy. Oh that it lasts long, long.