Soldier's Timepiece.

Two for the price of one today.  This is a pocket watch Maddie found while we were antiquing this afternoon.  She has a thing for pocket watches and especially likes this one after learning about the Revolutionary and Civil Wars this year.

Mallards at the Mall.

The ponds are beautiful at the mall right now and apparently this mom and her babies think so, too.

New Playground Equipment.

The park service added to the library playground - four baby swings, a toddler climbing wall, and a toddler car.  The fact that these were meant for small children didn't stop these four from playing on any of it.

Ugly Buzzard.

You wouldn't know it from this picture.  This bird looks so magestic just taking off.  It's actually quite an ugly buzzard looking for a meal.

Poetry Reading.

Maddie's class had a poetry tea today.  Since Jordan couldn't make it to the event, Maddie gave her a private reading.

S.O.L. testing time again.

Even after going through this once already last year, I still can't believe the students are encouraged to study for these state assessment tests.  In the elementary school they issue study guides and use them for homework for a month and a half leading up to the tests.  Jordan finished her tests yesterday and Maddie takes hers next week.

My Petunias.

Why do kids do this?

Didn't they know I hadn't taken a picture of it yet?  This morning this was one of two very regal looking mushrooms peeking out of the grass.

Cherry Picking.

Today we picked Summit and Schmidt cherries at Spring Valley Orchard in Afton, Virginia.  The best cherries were at the tops of the trees so the girls rather enjoyed picking those. 

Happy Easter.

We finally got around to coloring our eggs today.  This year the girls tried different wax techniques.

Bench Friday - Recess

Nice day for a picnic.

Youthberry Flavored White Tea.

A Teavana tea store opened up at the mall last year.  I remember thinking they aren't going to make it and wondering who on earth they thought would shop there.  Well, apparently I will.  When Trader Joe's stopped carrying my old favorite, Pomegranite flavored white tea, I needed a substitute.  When nobody else had a decent flavored white tea, I checked out Teavana.  They have a bunch of different flavored teas - herbal, white, black, green, etc.   This one smelled particularly good (and tastes even better).  I was only hunting for flavored white since I mix it with plain green, so I didn't try any of the others.

Art Fair.

Maddie with her drawing/collage of her Minnesota bedroom. 

The birds gotta eat

even in the rain.

They're buzzing all over the Indian Hawthornes.

There are literally hundreds of these and their relatives buzzing in our front bushes.

Her new favorite thing to do.

Bench Friday - Gnomey

16 mph.

Because 15 mph was just too slow.

Two egg whites.

I make them for her every morning.  The protein helps keep her blood sugar in check. 

A quilt for Jordan.

These are the fabrics she loves.  Now we just have to decide on a quilt pattern.  I like the traditional, clean looking patterns and she wants a striped look using varied widths and lengths.  I guess she wins since the quilt will live on her bed.  Looks like I'll be making up my own pattern with her help.

Mint Wrappers.

I found this while folding laundry this evening.  One of my girls obviously didn't check her pockets before putting her jeans into the wash.  I thought it was funny that this mint wrapper worked it's way into the belt loop of another pair.

Happy Mother's Day.

Posers.

It's a bit difficult to get four kids in the air all at the same time.  They are always up for jumping for me.  This was the best shot - even though Jordan doesn't like it.

Bench Friday - with Jilly.

Elmer's Glue Crew.

Our elementary school saves empty glue containers for recycling.  However, before they go to the collection site for recycling, they must be cleaned.  Jordan and Maddie have been scrubbing them for days.

a menace.

I really wouldn't want to be running around in bare feet near this one!

Mmmmmm.

I spent nearly five hours today making eight pints of strawberry jam.  It tastes so good!

Another service call.

It's very humid, temps are in the mid-80s and the upper level air conditioning unit is out.  Well, not anymore, thanks to Service Pros of Virginia.  I set up service for tomorrow, but they had a cancellation early this evening, so we have a comfortable home again tonight. 

Strawberry Pickin'

We picked about 25 lbs. of berries this morning.  They are the most delicious strawberries I've ever tasted!!

Our pine trees

have these weird little growths.  Is this normal?