What we've been up to

 I've not  been so post-y lately! Part of this is due to the recent collapse of our computer, or rather, its ability to read the external hard drive. We're not sure how much if any of our pictures and other documents may be salvageable, or what we're going to do about it if they're not. One problem at a time. In the meantime, I've been using my work computer, but this cannot be a long-term strategy. Is this the sort of thing people pray about? is there a patron saint of computer storage?

We have been enjoying another happy Blacksburg March. I often tell folks that March is the only month of the year I am SOLIDLY happy to be away from Rochester (sorry, guys) because March up there is usually just a repeat of February.

Here in SW Virginia, we've enjoyed many days of sunshine and 50-some degree temperatures, mixed in with more than usual days of snow, ice and sleet.

So what have we been up to... Last Monday I took a day off work during Spring Break Week to pay another visit to the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke.

 I still love tiny towns.

 They loved gazing at the little scenes too.

 ...Though they were over it more quickly than in our last visit.

Miles enjoyed the dress-up opportunities even more this time.

Cooperating on a puzzle

Pretending to be in flight on a small aircraft. 

It was funny to see this cable car bound for Glen Echo, an old amusement park outside DC that Jon and I have enjoyed many times. 

 They're still delighted by the creative playground.

 And, I think, they had even more fun on the train yard.

Pretending to eat in the caboose.

Adele saw a stuffed Dalmatian in the window and demanded a pic with her own Spot in front.

Adele poses.

If you're tickled by comparison pictures as I am, take a look at our visit last year (February 2013) where Adele plays with this same toy, Miles wears the same costume as above, etc. Of course, Adele's changed more; she's grown a head of hair, to start!

 She also speaks in sentences, which doesn't show in photos. Neither does Miles' astounding reading progress show on pictures, but I can tell you it's a relief and a delight to watch him read books aloud to his sister.

 Jon went to Raleigh and felt himself fairly successful at his Jeopardy audition last Friday! We shall see if he is selected and gains the opportunity to tell the story of Adele's birth by car on television.

I took the kids about on stroller that day, since he had the car. We paid an enjoyable, sunny visit to the playground, during which Miles impressed me by walking boldly up to a little girl there and saying, "Hi. My name is Miles. What's your name?" I do hope he can keep that confidence into his teens.

 Adele having informed me it was Spot's birthday, we had nothing to do but to throw him a birthday tea party!

 The birthday dalmatian, Adele informs us, is three now. For his birthday, that night, I opened up one of his seams and gave him some more stuffing. He gets about a bath every week lately, as he goes almost everywhere with his loving toddler.

 If you know Adele, you know about her undying love for Spot. She has loved him since they first locked eyes in the Ikea and he's been her #1 ever since. He is not the most well made stuffed animal she has owned, but we all know that children see things adults can't. Spot is well on his way to becoming Real, if you catch the reference.

 Happy Birthday, Spot!!

 The tea party and brownies ended with a stuffed-animal dance party in the living room before bed.

And, to conclude, here are a couple of parting shots I got of the kids, celebrating Saint Paddy's at home today since their daycare is, once again, closed due to weather!

 If I can manage it, I'll get this videos of the kids celebrating Spot's birthday working soon. It was a treat to make much of this occasion, as I remember so clearly my parents doing for me and my beloved toy when I was around Adele's age. Whenever possible, one likes to take their ideas seriously.