Mealtime Blessing

"God is grace

and God is good.

Let us thank him

for our food.

Amen"

Take me out to the ballgame ...

Papa sent Ellie this Yankee outfit yesterday and she was thrilled to put it on! She got a bigger kick out of the note he sent where he drew the outline of his hand. This is Ellie's trademark as she now can write her name and trace her hand when she sends something to someone!

This one's for the girl ...

Ellie is a character from ICE AGE!

Face Painting Day at Preschool

We're winding down the final days of summer session. Ellie's school is closed on Friday, August 21 so all the teachers can get their classrooms ready for the new Fall session on Monday, August 24th! We're very excited that Ellie will be in Miss Jamie's class with other 3-year olds.

Fun in the Summertime

Showing off her new t-shirt from Saratoga!

"Saddle Up in Saratoga" Jude, Bob, Grace, Kathy & Vinny - Ellie in front, of course!

Ellie enjoying a homemade chocolate chip cookie at the pool

Connie and Case

Steve getting ready for the cookout

We've been having fun so far this month .. seeing old friends, getting new furniture for the house and getting used to our new area. Bill spent last weekend in Saratoga going to the races, playing cards and napping (so he tells me!). Ellie wears her 'prize' from Daddy's trip in these pictures. We've enjoyed Grace & Bob's pool, reconnected with Steve and Connie Horan (Bonaventure alum) and their 14 week old son. And now we begin to round out our home with new furniture and accents. The pictures are beginning to fill in the walls .. as this house becomes a home!

While Daddy's away, the girls PLAY!

Enjoying the ride ...
Ellie wanted to see this 'angel'
Monroe Hill House with Sally Brown Reading Room

University of Virginia grounds

stone church on UVA grounds

Friday night was Shrek 3 and homemade mini-pizzas ... Ellie loved the sauted onions and ricotta pizza .. We made four little ones instead of one big pizza ... but we had no room for popcorn! Saturday morning we drove 30 minutes to Waynesboro .. up and over the mountain. It was a gorgeous drive with fog warnings at the top. Ellie kept saying, "Wow Mommy, look at that one!" Out of every window she had a view of mountains! We found decent shopping there. En route back she fell asleep in the car and woke in time for us to go to the library before lunch. We visited a different branch this time, with a much larger kids area. The walls were decorated with quilts made into book-themes. My favorite was Olivia and Ellie's favorite was a tie between Dora and I Spy. It was really neat. After returning our books from last week and borrowing a few more picture books we headed to Five Guys for lunch . We attempted to split a burger and fries. But she more interested getting some of the soda. Really, who can't resist good fountain Coke. Yes, folks we've taught her well.

Little did I know she was fighting a bug. She got up from her nap with a fever of 101.9!! So we snuggled on the couch with our new books, lots of juice and a dose of Childrens' Tylenol. Within a few hours the fever had broken and she was up to her old tricks again. Not much of a dinner for us on Saturday.

Sunday I took her to UVA grounds for a walk around the buildings. By 10:45am it was 92 degrees and humid. We walked for 30 minutes and then headed to the cool air-conditioned grocery store. We're making Daddy a special dinner for when he comes home tomorrow night!

This is what my daughter has learned so far...

Albemarle County Fair

Albemarle County Fair

Brownie the Cow

"I can see him from here, Mommy!"

She just loved the chicks - she kept going back!

TEXAS Longhorn - this was my favorite!

Ellie planting sunflower seeds with 4H volunteers

Ellie petting a 3 day old chick
Lots of cows, llama, bunnies, roosters, hens, goats .... It was very hot .. and there were lots of Fair Food choices for us ... and we ended up at the Famous Dave's stand .. BBQ!!!

Friday Night is Movie Night at our house ..

We've decided our Family event at the end of each busy week is to gather on Friday evening for a movie and popcorn. Ellie gets to choose the movie. She talks about it from the moment we pick her up at school. After dinner, bath and getting settled in we begin. This week was Shrek 2. Here's pictures of Ellie enjoying her night!