Mia Mary Sunshine

Our Aunt Malea came to visit us for a view days.  Janna came up to visit some friends that were in the area and so we hatched a plan to get Malea out to visit both of us.  Malea flew in here and then drove back down with Janna to Florida and will fly home from there.  While she was here we took her to some of our favorite spots.  Daniel was our photographer for the day.  Here we are at the Bennet Place.

Andrew could have a career as a model.

The gang minus Aunt Janna and Daniel, our photographers.

All the kids wanted to pose with Aunt Malea.

We do still love you Aunt Janna!

As we were leaving we found this fuzzy caterpillar.  Eliza loved it, but was little bit scared to get too close.

We watched "Yo Yo and Juliette."   Daniel had a hard time remembering Gnomeo and kept calling it Yo Yo and Juliette.

The next day we took Aunt Mia to the Duke Homestead...

Malea and Andrew next to the replica of the Liberty Bell made of Tobacco leaves.

Abby and Andrew with the Indian relic.

In September the Duke Homestead had a tobacco festival.  There were still some tobacco plants in the field.  It can grow up to about five feet tall.  It matures from the bottom up, so they had already harvested the leaves from the bottom.  

The blossoms on the top are very pretty.

Tobacco leaves.

Spartacus...

For Malea's birthday Janna and I took her to dinner at a Greek restaurant called Spartacus.  Since it was a Friday night they had a belly dancer.  I think it was the first time I have ever seen a belly dancer in action. 

The names on the bathroom doors were for the Greek Gods.  This is Malea the Goddess of Pondering!

We didn't have any Gods with us to pose.

The food was great!

When we got home from the restaurant we had birthday ice cream cake.

We had to get a fire permit in order to light the candles.

Yeah Mia!  She got all 20 in one breath.

Eating the cake...way to late at night.

These girls both had blue lips.  Too cute!

Andrew wishing he was a smurf... or at least showing off his blue tongue. 

Mia's visit was a lot of fun, but it was too short.  We are glad that she was able to come and hope that she enjoys the rest of her trip in Florida.

October 19-22, 2011

Southpoint Animal Hospital

I got to accompany Bradley on his first field trip of the year.  They visited an animal hospital close to the school. 

This is South Paw.  Bradley didn't like him too much so he stayed back when he came in.

This is one of the dental hygienist at the hospital.

This is the operating room.

They showed x-rays to the kids.  This one is an x-ray of a mommy dog pregnant with five puppies. 

The class split into two groups when they viewed the hospital.  This is Mrs. G, Bradley's teacher and some of the kids in his class.

This is Sandy.  She is a very nice dog that the staff brought out to let the kids pet her.

The Vet showed the kids how they do a check up on dogs.  Then she let the kids listen to her heart beat.

October Catch-Up

 I sent Andy in to put Eliza to bed and it took him awhile.  When I went to check on him this is what I found.

I thought it was pretty cute.

Eliza learned a new trick from her dad.  When you put your pants on your head you can have some way cool "hair."  I love this picture because you can see she is finally getting teeth!

BENNET PLACE

On October 8, 2011 the Bennet Place hosted a re-enactment in memory of the 150th year since the start of the Civil War.  They shot the cannon off three times while we were there.  It was awesome!

They also had a bunch of children's toys from that time period.  The kids had a lot of fun trying to figure out how to use them.

The re-en actors camped out over night and cooked all their food over an open fire.  It was fun to talk to them and see some of the things the used.

 

There was also a band playing music and teaching people how to square dance.

They also had a tent for recruits.  Eliza and Daniel both joined.  After giving their information they had to be given an examination by a doctor.  He asked to see Eliza's teeth to make sure she had at least two teeth across from each other.  Daniel's exam was a little more in depth.  The doctor looked at his teeth and asked if he had a trigger finger.

 

Eliza's enlistment papers. 

Daniel's enlistment papers.

Daniel also received twenty dollars for joining the army.  We heard rumors that the only pay you see when you first enlist...then nothing!  :)

 

It was fun to see all the weaponry from the Civil War time period.

They also showed us different ammo.

We also enjoyed the mule cart ride.  The little old man driving the team was fun to talk too.  He has been doing re-enactments for years and has about 15 mules.

 

Eliza and Daniel loved the mules.

Cannon demonstration.  It was really loud!!

Plug your ears...1...2...3...Fire!

Eliza loved playing in the dirt and with the wild flowers.

We have really enjoyed living in an area with some historical sites.  We look forward to being able to participate in more historic re-enactments.