Sleepover

Max had his first sleep over with Gus last night. We were very honored to spend part of Gus’s “gotcha day” while daddy worked and papa is in Guatemala to get his little brother. Max was really happy to have company and did a really great job sharing toys and trying to make Gus laugh. Gus was an awesome guest, and the boys had a great time playing with Max’s toys. We had on the opening ceremony for the Olympics and Max was not interested at all, but Gus seemed to really like watching, especially the when the 2008 drummers were performing with the lit up drumsticks. Max kept saying “play in water” which is how he views bath time right now, so we got both boys in the tub and they had a good time pouring water over each other. At bed time, they were both perfect little guys, and Mommy read a bedtime story. Max LOVED having Gus sleep in his room.

In the morning, we took the boys to Krispy Kreme. Max has been twice before, and really likes watching the doughnuts being made. Gus really liked the balloon he got there, and thought it especially funny to let it go so we would jump to get it! He would NOT wear the paper hat, so we stopped trying to get pictures of them both in their hats.

They played at the park, and went to Max’s grandpas to see the new litter of Yorkie puppies born while we are on vacation. Gus really loved the puppies, and even stuck his head in the cage to kiss one. We asked if he thought Ester needed and friend and he said "yes!" but maybe we should see how he adjusts to Tavo first! I don't think Max realized the puppies were real. Then it was lunch time, nap time, snack time and play time and before we knew it daddy was here to pick him up. It was a fun weekend, and we can’t wait to have another sleepover!

Throwing rocks in the Nantahalla

Grandma has taught Max and Matt to throw rocks into water. Max really, really likes to do this.

Home Sweet Home

2,880 miles and 8 states in 11 days. Wow! Max was outstanding in the car and in our travels. We left Williamsburg yesterday morning and made a brief stop at the Old Blandford Church in Petersburg VA. Grandma had visited here once before on one of her genealogical tours. The descendent who brought her family here from England is buried at the church. Richard Yarbrough’s is the oldest grave there, and even pre-dates the church.

It is now a 300 acre cemetery with significance to Revolutionary, 1812, and Civil War dead. Thomas Jefferson’s father founded the church, and it is significant now for its artistic qualities. It’s one of only a few buildings with only Tiffany windows. Following the Civil War, the ladies auxiliary in Petersburg wanted to honor the numerous Confederate war dead buried in the cemetery. Most of them had offered their own husbands and sons in the war, and this task let them show honor. Previously, they had worked to carefully place the mostly unknown soldiers in their graves with their units. Then they wrote to Tiffany to see about arranging windows. He agreed, and gave them a very affordable rate. His only condition was that no committees be formed (any of you who deal with committees at work will appreciate that) and he just wanted the state seal and a quote from each state to be honored. Other than that, he designed what went on each window and where it was placed in the church. It is a really beautiful old church. This ladies group is also responsible for Memorial Day. With so many veterans in their cemetery, they set aside a day to honor them. The idea caught on with other groups, and ultimately led to a federal holiday.
After Blandford, we hit the road and drove hard for 2 days and tonight we are home!

What a full day. And to walk in the footsteps of Washington, Jefferson, and Henry was just amazing. Max did really well, as long as people didn’t talk too long. Grandma got him a very nice and authentic looking tricorn hat. Pretty much everything they sell within Colonial Williamsburg is authentic to the period. Not a lot of crappy plastic souvenirs here. We started the day with a film made here in the 50’s. Jack Lord (think Hawaii 5-0) played Virginian John Fry, a loyalist who was gradually won over to the side of the patriots. It is the longest running movie in the US, and was actually a pretty good window to history.

There are many people who are costumed actors playing roles- they do not break character. We heard the reading of the Declaration of Independence from the Capital Balcony, then saw various other vignettes performed. One was when Benedict Arnold, now a British General, rode into town to hoist the Union Jack over the capital and force colonists to take loyalty oaths. I could go on and on, but I won’t. Let me just give you the two biggest highlights.

Bruton Parish Church was the church where Thomas Jefferson and George Washington were members. This building is original and the current congregation opens it up every day for tourists. You can sit in the pews where these founding fathers sat with their families. It was very, very cool.

The other highlight was dinner. We ate at the Kings Arms Tavern. There are several taverns here that serve historically accurate menus in traditional surroundings. This was a rebuilt building, but our menu we each had authentic colonial meal. Heather had Game pie. It was a great big potpie with rabbit and venison inside. She shared with Max, and said it was delicious. Grandma had the Tavern Keepers grill plate. She had duck sausage, shrimp and beef. Grandma also tried a rummer- rum with apricot and peach brandy. I had the Tavern special, and a mint julep (when in Rome…) Mine started with peanut soup. It was very rich. I think it was creamy peanut butter cut with cream and heated. It was actually very good, and we all shared it. My main meal was Chicken, ham, green beans, mushrooms and potatoes. It was all really good. We all shared with Max, and his favorite was the duck sausage. Probably because mommy kept telling him it was a hot dog. Mine also came with dessert, and we all shared the rice pudding. Each of us got a plate of relishes. In colonial times, meat was served with a selection of relishes and so the saying to eat with relish, or to relish a meal. We had a chopped ham relish (Max ate mostly this) a corn relish, and a pickled watermelon rind relish. The last one tasted like sweet pickles. We were taught how to “tie one on” with our half yard of cloth napkins we had to tie around our necks. This covered our entire fronts. Musicians roamed the room playing old tunes, and it was a really nice way to end our time here.

Colonial Williamsburg does for the Revolutionary war what Silver Dollar City does for the Ozarks, but it is in the actual historical setting. There are 88 original buildings, and the others have been painstakingly rebuilt. John D Rockefeller recognized in the 1920’s and 30’s the history was in danger of being lost, and used his wealth and power to ensure its preservation. If you get a chance, come. Every American should visit at least once.

Good night from Virginia, DaWN

ps- just the one photo tonight- low camera battery and crappy signal at hotel.