Things are looking up

Well, life has been upside down for us since my last post. We had an awesome time at the Haunted Hotel at the Children's Museum for the member preview party. This was the first year we tried this and it was really neat. Ian has asked to go back to the Haunted House a minimum of 30 times since then. They had crafts, photo stations, tattoos, face painting, treats, games, etc set up all around the museum as well. I included a photo of Sophie being silly with her bat glasses that she made herself.

Grandma and Grandpa Porter came the next day on Saturday, Oct 13th. The visit started out good. Sunday we went to Stuckey Farm's pumpkin patch and picked out our pumpkins. The kids had fun with their Grandparents. Ian especially had fun hanging out in the pumpkin patch and searching for the "perfect" pumpkin. Monday, I went in to work for a little while and Sophie and Ian stayed home with Grandma and Grandpa and all was well. But that night the fever and cough started with Ian so we took him to the doctor on Tuesday and while we were there they did Sophie's 5 year check-up to save us another trip, or so they thought. Well, I'll spare you with all the details but Sophie had a reaction to her 5 year shots then she caught the cold and Grandma and Grandpa were surrounded by germs for the rest of their stay. We (John and I) felt lucky because we didn't have to miss work or have to take the kids to daycare at all but we knew they were in good hands. So, the kids got alot of one on one time reading books, watching movies, playing with play doh, etc. with their Grandparents . Some how they didn't catch the bug but John and I did and has not been fun. It has been a week and a half and this nasty bug has made its way around the house but finally we're all on the mend and getting close to 100%.

South Bound to Morgan Monroe

I am so pooped. Today we traveled south to Morgan Monroe Nat'l Forest and did a hike again with the kids. We probably only hiked 2 miles today but it felt much longer. Today we discovered black walnuts on the trail. We also saw a juicy, green caterpillar. I offered it to both Sophie and Ian for lunch but they preferred Mc Donald's. John and I considered the caterpillar :-).
Then we headed to Oliver Winery. I know it doesn't sound like a place to take the kids but they love it and they're not the only ones. They have a pond in the back stocked with brightly colored fish. The fish come right up to the surface...practically standing on their tails begging to be fed. Sophie and Ian just giggle and giggle at the fish.
My favorite part is the landscape and pumpkins. They have an amazing gardener. This winery is beautiful in every season but I think fall is my favorite time of year there. We might have to make it back one more time before it gets too cold.


I loved this photo of Sophie, also taken at Oliver Winery. My little girl is getting so big ;-(

New Robot exhibit at the Childrens Museum

Today we went to the Children's Museum to check out the new Robot exhibit that opened last weekend. Ian has been talking about robots a lot since watching the Robot Movie a few weeks ago. I thought the kids were going to love this exhibit but it really wasn't a hit with them. They liked the big robots (like the ones pictured) but that was about it. I think this exhibit was geared toward an older crowd. I thought it was cool. :-) The dinosaur exhibit was once again there favorite exhibit of the day. You can see them digging for fossils in the pictures below. Ian really got into digging today. Usually he doesn't like the goggles but he didn't mind today. He loved using the magnifying glass. It's nice having a membership because we can just spend a couple hours and not feel bad about not being able to see everything. We usually go early, right when they open, hit 3 or 4 exhibits and the carousel then eat lunch on the way home. I usually pack peanut butter sandwiches and we're home by 12:30 pm....Ian's nap time. It works out great and is a fun and educational morning for all of us.

A Day in the Life of Sophie and Ian

Today, Tuesday October 2nd

6:15 am -Ian wakes and requests a drink and cartoons
6:45 am- Sophie wakes up and gives everyone hugs
7:30 am- Breakfast
....cartoons are on until 8:30 am
8:30-time to get out of Jammie's
9-10 am- we play with play do
10-10:15 am: snack
10:00-10:30 am we make our way to the library
10:30-noon-story time and crafts at the library
noon-1 pm-lunch and time with dad
1pm-3 pm Ian naps
3-3:15 pm: snack
1-2 pm- I read to Sophie and we talk
2-3 pm- Sophie watches dvd (12 Dancing Princess's) and colors in her princess coloring book
3-5:30 pm: We go for a walk, play at the local playground, roll down hills, play soccer, play with neighborhood friends
5:30 pm- Ian and Sophie watch cartoons with a drink and fruit
6:45 pm Dinner (usually 6 pm but too much outdoor fun today)
.....until 7:45 pm Sophie and Ian play
7:45 pm -Bath time
8:30 pm- Bed time

.....no wonder I'm so tired come 9 pm! :-)

Adventures at Turkey Run State Park

Yes, fall has arrived and for our family that means visiting parks and looking for new hiking adventures. Today we explored new territory. We drove west and headed to Turkey Run State Park. What an amazing place. It felt like we stepped back in time with the sandstone cliffs, streams and old fallen trees. Nature has been preserved very well in this park.
Sophie and Ian really enjoyed this hike. We probably covered 3 miles and Ian walked 99% of it and there were LOTS of stairs and ladders. He did not want us to hold him...he could do it all by himself. Yes, we're in the "Mr. Independent" stage. We couldn't even keep up with Sophie, she was moving so fast. It was interesting because she was moving forward at the speed of light to see what challenge was ahead and Ian stopped every second to pick up some new special rocks. His hands and pockets were always packed full of rocks as was every other little boy and girl his age that we passed on the trail. I don't understand the fascination with rocks but I think I'm going to take a closer look because maybe I'm missing something. Anyway, we had some laughs along the way. The first time we heard a woodpecker pecking Ian said: "Mom, did you hear that? I said yes and he said "that was my tummy, I must be hungry." I said, no that was a woodpecker...so then, we heard it again and to be silly he said....."I have a woodpecker in my tummy". He has continued to say it throughout the day. Back at the Nature Center he was able to see pictures of woodpeckers and other birds so he thought that was neat. Another fun day for the Porter family. Below you can see Ian with his rocks.

Mixed Up Day

I knew it was a camera moment when Ian came out of Sophie's room with a tu tu and tiara on. He looked so adorable making his request for the Bella Dancerella DVD. After a good half hour of ballet with Sophie his big sister asks to play a game of catch with her dad. I thought....that's a little mixed up...our son wants to do ballet and our daughter wants to play football with her dad. Somethings not right with this picture.

Nature Hike at Cool Creek

Today we did a nature hike at Cool Creek Park. I love spending family time together doing outdoor activities. It feels like we're the only ones on earth and all of the regular stresses of life are gone. It is so awesome to see nature through Sophie and Ian's eyes. I mean, every twig, rock, leaf, stream, bridge, root, insect is like the coolest thing ever. So many questions come up as they discover nature... it is such a fun way to learn about the world around us. It is also neat to watch Sophie and Ian run and chase one another. It is so obvious that they are our kids.



Sophie and Ian had a blast today. In the collage above you'll see how proud Sophie was about making it across the creek over all of the rocks. Ian had to try as well but ended up with wet and cold feet. We'll try again in a few months. :-)

End of Summer Fun at Smith Mountain Lake

We just returned from a week long visit to Grandma and Grandpa Porters at Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia. Sophie and Ian LOVED being at the lake and spending time with their grandparents. Sophie thought she was hot stuff driving the boat. It was funny because grandpa "really" let her do the steering and there were moments with the dock in sight that I thought we might run out of gas before we made it to the dock :-)

Sophie and Ian had their swim suites on most of the time. They both had a blast swimming in the lake, jumping off of rafts, tubing, kayaking and watching their dad water ski. When the swim suites were off they enjoyed movies and books with grandma and grandpa, playing in the sand box, playing with Molly dog and watching grandpa play with his remote controlled boat. Ian especially liked looking through grandpa's telescope. He usually had a great aim on the ceiling or floor but he thought it was pretty cool! Thanks for a fun week Grandma and Grandpa!