Children's Museum

feeding the animals
Love this one!
playing in the "James"
Jules and Jackson

Jules ringing up Kendri

Jackson shopping

future student
hugging Jackson good-bye

riding on a John Deer bike

Ally looks scared that Jules is driving

feeding the duck-it would quack when fed!

Jules loving on Ally

Jules and Ally in the dinosaur eggs

Right after the beach a friend invited Juliann and me to join her and her daughter at the Children's Museum. The last time I had visited the museum was on a field trip with my first graders and it was a crazy experience. I was a little worried that the activities might be too old for Jules but my friend assured me that her daughter, who is only 4 months older than Jules, loved it always had a blast. We met mid-morning and after an hour and a half I was exhausted but it was totally worth it! Juliann LOVED all the activities, especially the farm (made for children 3 and under) and the working (we're talking real water) model of the James. She just couldn't get enough, and the best part was that she had an AWESOME afternoon nap! :)

About 2 weeks later I had an all day bachelorette party for a friend so David was in charge. He wasn't quite sure what to do for the day so I helped set up a "Daddy date" with my friend Merrilee's husband John and their daughter Kendri (Juliann's BFF). While he was there he bought us a year pass because I know we'll be back often! Again, Jules had a great time and took another long nap, as did David-apparently having Jules all day wore him out. Welcome to my world!

We went again 2 weeks ago with my friend Kristen and her son Jackson. They came down from northern Va for a visit with us and to check-out the Children's Museum. We had another fun-filled and extremely active trip to Cmor! The kids had a ball in the Farm area, played in the "James River", rode in the ambulance, picked apples, and shopped for food in Ukrops. As usual, Jules took a nice LONG nap when we got home! Another successful trip to the museum!

Happy Surprise Birthday!

David's parents both turned sixty (literally a day apart) while we were at the beach with my family. Since we knew we weren't going to be able to be there to celebrate with them, we decided to throw them a surprise birthday party. Along with David's brother Peter and his girlfriend Anne, we began to organize a list of guests and order food. We were all already planning on venturing to Lexington the weekend after their birthdays so all we had to worry about was the food and drinks. Luckily, David's aunt and uncle were able to pick up the Big Jim's from C'ville on their way through town and other friends of the Ellington's in Lexington took care of the cake. Peter brought up the Fat Tire (our fave beer from Colorado that is now sold in Charlotte) and we were all set! Keeping everything mum until Saturday evening proved difficult but the Ellington's were extremely surprised when everyone showed up to celebrate their special days (a week later)! As you'll see in the pictures below, everyone seemed to really enjoy the party, as well as the newly completed patio where the festivities took place.

Jules with her Oma and Opa

David let Jules play with the keg-he called her a future beer connoisseur

singing Happy Birthday

Jules and Opa

Jules and Uncle Peter