Camera Drama

 We've been quiet, you may have noticed. Fear not; no tragedy has struck besides a bit of camera drama. We've left our camera in Maryland! And it may be a while before we can be reunited with it. In a couple of months, then, I hope to be able to show you pictures from the end of our Rochester visit, and a few of our time in Washington, DC.
Fortunately, our old Kodak was at home and will serve in the meanwhile.

So I have no pictures to show of Steppin' Out Festival (our fifth one in Blacksburg!), the ice cream shop and river play during our visit to Radford, or the lego party at the library. And you know, that's okay. Not everything needs to be photographed. Not because not everything is significant, but because there is more than one way to enjoy something, and to remember it.

That said, you better believe I'll be using the heck out of this auxiliary camera on Tuesday, when Miles gets on the bus for his very. first. day. of. kindergarten.

Hold me.

As the days tick down to the end of our summer vacation (I go back to work Monday), I'm trying to do some simple, low impact, peaceful things in the NRV, in hope that we will be able to just float peacefully into the new school year. I don't want boredom that may become anxiety, and neither do I want exhaustion that will make The First Day seem overwhelming.

Today, we saw that the historic Alexander Black house, built by the family for whom our town was named, was having a grand opening event. We thought we'd crash the gala for a little while.

Good luck for us: the event planners had hired a very talented face painter!

Zebras are on her favorite animal list.

My little hippy. It says "love."

 Exploring the little kid area inside:

 We were invited to share our favorite things about Blacksburg in drawing and in written form. The kids noticed that no one had mentioned the Price House, so we got to work drawing and writing about our love for the nature center.

Adding the lawn & trees. 

Note Miles' pink snake on our Story Board entry. 

 What a delicious, golden summer it's been. We flourish like green bay trees.