Staycation Day #3

As I sit here about to write, I can't believe that it's been over a week since our staycation. Funny how the time between then and now has passed so quickly. (Even harder to believe that November starts Friday... but I digress.)

The last day of Scott's week off work (I was so spoiled having him home all week!) culminated in a trip to the Children's Museum in Richmond. The kids and I had ventured there for the first time last spring with friends, so this was the hubs first visit. Aside from the travel to and fro (almost 2 hours to get home!), the trip was worth it, especially since we basically had the museum to ourselves.

First "exhibit"? The carousel, of course! From there, the kids split up, each exploring what suited his/her interest. Leah and I played in the diner, before heading over to the farm exhibit to play with Scott and Hunter. We stopped by the dinosaur dig for a bit, but that didn't hold their attention for too long (surprising since that was a favorite for Leah in the spring). We did make a stop in the art studio; both kids made puppets. Hunter made a dinosaur (picture a paper bag with a section of orange rick-rack glued willy-nilly on it. And that's it.), while Leah made Super Cat, complete with a smile and a cape. (Hers was a bit more elaborate.)

One of my favorite moments with Leah was outdoors, and even then, I was a bystander. Leah was playing in the sandbox with some older kids (elementary age so I'm guessing they're homeschooled). During the course of playing and conversation, the girl said to Leah, "You're nice."
   "Thanks. That's because I love Jesus," Leah replied. My heart WARMED to hear that. Plus, I was so proud of her for speaking so frankly. I can't remember exactly what happened next, but I think Leah might have asked, "Do you love Jesus?"
    From there, the conversation turned to heaven. I couldn't hear the girl, but I did hear Leah's rebuttal: "No, Jesus is building a big house for me." Yeah for Scripture, Bible study, Sunday School, and prayer! Even at 4.5 years old, Leah's learning Truth... and speaking up for it!

Because we were so busy playing and exploring the museum, I didn't take as many photos, but I suppose I don't need that many. After all, the blessing of the day was an overheard conversation that I couldn't have photographed, and that I can treasure in my heart.

They wanted their picture with the pteranadon (or is it a pterodactyl?) in the background (which happens to be Leah's favorite dinosaur).

A little cow milking action.

Leah shows Hunter how it's done.

Rockin' out at the outdoor music station.

Leah enjoyed picking "apples" and dropping them off. She filled her bag two times (ahhh, the beauty of a relatively empty museum-- she had the exhibit all to herself!).

Getting ready to put on a puppet show. Not long after this, Hunter and Leah put on a "show" for a baby (12 months maybe?). The baby girl LOVED it, especially when Leah and Hunter made the puppets kiss her. So cute! 

Playing dress up.

Staycation Day #2

Day #2 of our staycation involved a trek out to Leesburg Animal Park, about an hour's drive away. God blessed us with another beautiful day, which was perfect considering our destination.

The LAP consisted of two activities-- seeing the animals, and exploring Pumpkinville. First stop for us? The animals. Leah and Hunter had a chance to see and pet all sorts of farm and exotic animals: lemurs, tortoises, donkeys, goats, bunnies, sheep, pigs (Leah's favorite), porcupine, servals (or as Leah called them, "the kitties"), gibbons, alpacas, camels, and zebras. Although the kids couldn't pet the exotic animals, they did have a chance to walk around with and pet the farm animals.

After seeing the animals, we took a lunch break before venturing into Pumpkinville. Then it was time to play and explore! Although both kids enjoy jumping on the bed, only Leah wanted to go in the moonbounce. Hunter preferred the giant slide (especially since Daddy went down with him). Then they checked out a giant spiderweb, before we headed over to the pond. Much to our surprise, there was a school of hungry catfish at the pond's edge, feeding. WE couldn't believe the sheer number of them!

We explored the park some more: found a tricycle race track next to the zebras; climbed inside an old, dilapidated bus (which kind of spooked me out!); and discovered a giant pile of hay (much to Leah's delight, especially when she could cover Hunter with it).

Alas, all good things come to an end, and soon it was time to go. But... not without stopping at the gift shop for a little something to remember the day by, and an ice cream treat. While we were sitting at the picnic table enjoying our treats, one of the animal workers came out with a tiny pink kennel, and sat down at the other end of the table. She had two 1.5 week old piglets with her (Stella and Darla)-- too cute! Of course, Leah was THRILLED, especially when she had a chance to pet them. Both little piglets tried climbing out of the bucket, probably in an effort to get to Leah and Hunter's ice cream.

Ahh, what a great way to end "the best day ever!" (according to Leah and Hunter both). 

Leah wasn't afraid at all of the animals. She'd walk right up to them.

I think she was a bit surprised by how coarse the pig's bristles were. She didn't spend much time petting one of her favorite animals.

Hunter, however, was NOT so interested in petting the animals. Apparently the little donkey kept following him around, looking for some love.

Scott to Hunter: "Do you want to stick out your tongue at the camera?" *sigh*

The pirate ship playground.

Enjoying an apple cider break. Yum!

He won't pet the animals or go in the moonbounce, but he'll slide down a giant slide. I don't get it.

Best lookin' fly I've ever seen in a spider's web.

Watching the catfish.

See what I mean about the bus? Spooky! I wouldn't want to ride it!

The only tractor "ride" they took that day.

I tried getting a good photo of the two of them, but you can see how well they cooperated. 

Practicing her pouty face (not sure why).

Peek-a-boo!

 

Stella and Darla-- so stinkin' cute!

In hog heaven! (Couldn't resist!)

Think he enjoyed his Spiderman pop?

Carting home their goodies!

Staycation Day 1

Our initial vacation plans for the summer (and then the backup plans, too) were canceled due to Scott's training and promotion. But finally, on attempt #4, we are on vacation. Granted, it's more like a staycation (and Scott's worked overtime twice in the evening), but no matter: it's a chance for us to spend some quality time together as a family, while also getting some projects (small ones) done around the house.

Our first planned activity was a visit to the pumpkin patch. Due to appointments and work, this was the default first activity (the other two involve a farther drive). Go figure that it fell on a holiday, which meant we had to pay holiday rates at the pumpkin patch (outrageous! Is it really necessary to charge the same admission for children and adults? Really? But I digress.).

Thankfully, there were plenty of activities to keep the kids satisfied and interested. First stop? The hay tunnel/ maze. Leah tackled it with gusto, racing to the top and then disappearing in the tunnels below. Hunter took a little more coaxing; I carried him to the top, and then he followed Leah below. Once down there, he methodically crawled through a tunnel, taking his time (and making me wonder, "Where IS he?").

Next stop, the animals: Leah LOVES pigs (next to cats, it's her favorite animal) so she was delighted to see a large sow and her piglets. Actually, large doesn't do it justice. Gigantic is more like it. Seriously, she was about the length of Leah's full-size bed!

From there, the kids explored various slides and picture cut-outs, with a few more animal visits in-between. Before long, it was time to say good-bye to the pumpkin patch and head home. All in all, the kids enjoyed themselves tremendously, which made the trip worthwhile.

That's my girl: sweet like candy.

Exploring the wooden train.

Leah bounced from one activity to the next. It's as if she had to see how many she could complete in a matter of seconds.

Queen of the hay bales!

Hunter showed no fear going down the slide by himself. 

Leah, on the other hand, kept her legs wide in an effort to slide as slowly as possible. 

Prince Charming

Connor the Calf took an instant liking to Leah...

he tried eating her shirt! Leah got a good laugh out of it, though.

Momma's little chicks

Time to decorate pumpkins: paint, glue, pompoms, and sequins.

Leah artfully creates her cat pumpkin.

While Hunter pulls the pompoms off his and dunks them in his water.

"Look, Mommy! I'm a mouse!"