Busch Fun

Had a total ball at Busch Gardens! I didn't stop and realize that this would be the kids first roller coaster rides either. They remember nothing of the many trips we have made in the past to amusement and water parks so this was straight up fun. Auri was so excited and very nervous- just like the kids really so it really made a fun day for me to just watch. I have a picture of the first roller coaster we rode. Check this out.



Auri is just smiling making sure he doesn't scream. I am cracking up in the back because for some reason I think this ride is so funny. And then Jadyn...should I be concerned that you can't even see her?!? Just her little hands hanging on for dear life!

So after almost 10 hours at the park- we decided to ride this roller coaster again at the end of the day now that we are filled with confidence. Here is what we got.



Again, should I be concerned that Jadyn made her way out of the safety harness to wave? Auri is blowing kisses to his girlfriend waiting for him in Lithuania and Bridger and I are just having fun.

It was a good day indeed.

Colonial Williamsburg

Did I mention that we went to Williamsburg? Well I if I didn't- here is the big announcement. I will do it through pictures.

The Governor's Mansion that we paid extra to get into



The attention to detail in this time period is awesome!



So unlike our own modern houses that are sometimes just slapped together. These houses are amazing!!

Here is an English style garden. Colonial Williamsburg is supposed to take you back to the 1700's or the time of the Revolutionary War. And the timing is perfect because that is the time period we are in for homeschool. I got stuck in the 1600's for a long time but had too when we live less than an hour from the birthplace of America! Have you all seen the Jamestown commercials where it says, "Every American should stand here at least once." I will think that is an excellent sentiment and so worth the trip!

Anyhow, the garden....



The people there dress up for the time period also. Just from their clothes you can see the attention to the details they put into everything. But they also had 'extra help' in that time period.







So, I have had several conversations with Keith today telling me about all the houses he has seen. It is killing me that I am not actually there. There is one home that I can tell through Keith's voice is the ONE--- and even though I have not seen it, I want it....BAD. The description itself is fabulous. I don't want to brag about it on here though until I know for sure that it will be ours. And then no more pictures of the kids!! Just the house!

Busch Gardens tomorrow-fun

Starting over again...

We have begun our upheaval again so that we can move 1200 miles away from Virginia and start our nice, long life in Central Texas. I have purchased moving boxes (didn't know they were actually expensive little buggers) and have actually packed many non-essentials around the house. The kids have gotten into it and have packed all their books and toys. (That should be a big clue to me about what they consider 'important' and what I should spend my money on.) After this weekend, I plan to have most of the non-essentials packed.

Keith is leaving tomorrow to head to Texas to find our perfect house. We have picked about about 10 homes in 4 cities and he is going to drive to each one to see them and check out the neighborhoods. He has given himself 4 days to do this but I don't know if that is enough time to really get the 'feel' for the different areas. I have completely given up control to this house buying thing and have just left it in Keith's hands entirely. He will make the right choice for us.

We are also spending a lot of time with our Lithuanian friend Auri since he has exactly one week left in the US. We have been eating dinner together a lot (which we leave in a hour to do so tonight) and I am taking him to Busch Gardens this weekend while Keith is gone. The man has never been on a roller coaster in all his life and there is a good chance that he will never go on one if I don't take him! From the first day I met him, I knew what experience I wanted to give him and a roller coaster is it! Can you imagine never having the the chance to scream your head off like a sissy with your hands in the air as your stomach feels like it has changed positions to your throat!?! I am telling you....that is the essence of the US of A and Auri is going to come along with me and LOVE it!!! I hope one of those coasters takes your picture just as you feel like you are going to lose it and scream like a girl so Auri can always remember just how Paige showed him America--haha

Easter Weekend Recap

So, we spent Easter weekend in DC trying to see all the important sites of our Nation's Capital and visit with my uncle. It was interesting way to spend Easter because we did none of the usual things--- we stayed in a hotel and the kids watched me make their Easter baskets and give it to them. No questions about the Easter Bunny either. I think they realize the truth but just don't want to say anything about it.

We knew it was going to be cold that weekend which was unfortunate because we just had 70+ degree weather the weekend before. But we had no idea it was going to snow!!! We woke up Saturday morning this this.



I have no idea why my camera only downloads half a picture but you get the idea. Luckily we were prepared with gloves and scarves.

The first thing we experienced was the Metro. The kids thought this was the best thing ever. They refused to sit down because they wanted to get the full effect of the metro stopping and going again. They were hanging onto these poles for dear life and loving every second of it. We took the Metro everyday and then bought tour tickets for a bus once we were downtown DC so it would drive us to all the sites we wanted to see.



We went to many places but here are just a few highlights...
The Lincoln Memorial



Arlington Cemetery


My uncle's new downtown condo


The Vietnam Memorial


We also went the Washington Memorial, the WWII Memorial, The White House, the Air and Science Museum, Natural History Museum, the best train station ever, the best Vegan Resterant ever, and we also visited my uncle's condo and his office which are pretty close to each other. It was a dandy weekend and one that the kids will hopefully remember.

April Fools And Lemonade

On Sunday I thought I would try to pull one over on the kids. It was the perfect, lazy day to try and fool them. For dinner I made them dessert! Or so they thought for about 30 seconds. I actually made meat loaf, mash potatoes and brussel sprouts but I told them it was cupcakes and brussel sprouts---YUM!



This is the half-frosted meat loaf-



And this is the frosting mashed potatoes!!

I asked each kid how many cupcakes they wanted for dinner and then served them up. They got a kick out of it.

And I am totally getting a kick out of Jadyn lately. That girl loves to be a sales person- she is good at it for sure and will do it every chance she gets- her biggest drawback is ME and if I want to help her at the moment. Anyhow, yesterday she talked me into selling Lemonade and the whole time in my head I am screaming NO NO NO WHY WHY WHY---But this girl is persistent. She gets dressed up and puts on a cute little outfit- she get her table in the driveway and dresses it up with a tablecloth. She makes a sign that says Lemonade and then she makes the actual lemonade and goes and sits at her table and waits for her customers. And boy do they ever show up! How could anyone driving by resist all the work and effort she put into it.

She had a line of police cars at one point and was pouring them all lemonade. People would pull over just to buy from her!! So at 25 cents a cup, what to you think she made?? The girl pulled in over $15 in about 2 hours. She is doing better than minimum wage! Jadyn worked her charm and the people paid much more than 25 cents to see her at work. She is very proud of herself.

Doing Business As.....Posh Vinyl

So.....the reason why I have been so busy as of lately is because I have been piddling with some crafty type of stuff. And I am doing a HUGE craft show in 10 days in Virginia Beach, so I have been working like a mad woman and the work has just begun. My sister purchased a Vinyl Cutting machine and I am holding on to her coattails so she can drag me along. Thanks Sista'

The link right above where it says my new business adventure is actually Carries Ebay store where she sells car decals and Wall Words (words that can go right on your wall and looks like paint--they are awesome!). While I plan on selling the same things at the show I am doing- I am also including wood signs and frames. Here are some examples.

Beige Harlequin Bistro 12 x 24


Cranberry Fleur Di Lis Bistro 12 x 24


Pink and White Sweet Dream Harlequin 12 x 24


Yellow/Red Fleur Di Lis Bistro


Sweet Dreams Jadyn matches her room


Lavender/Cream harlequin LOVE YOU MORE


Red/Yellow Fleur Di Lis Amazing Grace


Cream Fleur Di Lis SIMPLIFY


In addition to these- I am also doing custom frames that only has glass in it- they are BEAUTIFUL on a wall!!! Here are some examples.

Tyler Family


A Friend


Jadyn (or any other name and descriptives words one may want)


This is just a small sampling and I have plenty more to put up at a later time--- Once I get to Texas I am going to establish an internet store and I have a few more ideas up my sleeve- BUT FIRST I must get through this craft show.....time is ticking!

Busy.....

You know I am busy when I don't watch Oprah for 2 whole weeks! That has been me lately- and it still is but this blog has been calling my name for a while. I have a ton of pics I want to put up and I am going too, it just takes forever for me to download them and resize them for this forum. Next house, hopefully we will have a decent connection to the internet and I can do this at a much faster rate.

We are down to just a couple of weeks left here in Virginia and I am panicing that we won't get everything done that we want too. This last weekend was a wash because before I knew it- we were having another party-- it was a party of stragglers who saw us out on the carport and wanted to join. Then I spend the week stressing out because of what we didn't do on the weekend.

Oh well........

Anyhow I do have some pictures of the St Patrick's day party we had- by the time I thought to grab the camera there was only the most loyal karoke people left. Here is a picture of our friend Brian- he has a quirk about states- the only songs he wanted to sing were Sweet Home Alabama and Hotel California-- he did it with his eyes half open may I add.


This is the King of Karoke- I believe he was singing Fame and loving every second of it. No one can get down like Greg.


There wasn't a lot of supportive people for those who didn't sound good- so Greg decided to step it up and be supportive.



We had a lot of destinations representin' -- Once again, here is Lithuania


And here is Texas and Norway trying to enjoy the warm fire.


I mentioned previously that the kids took days and hours building themselves a fort in the grove of trees by the house. Well I did get some pictures of it and once again, if I ever need shelter- Jadyn is going to build mine. She took the time to make sure the roof was covered with grass so we might be dry and to line her floors with pine needles so we would have something soft to sit on.




And here is Bridger's


We did go to Petersburg and act like tourists about 2 weeks ago. The Old Town is so cook- all the building are pre-civil war and that is a pretty big deal since most of Petersburg was destroyed in the Civil War. We had a good time going through museums and antique shops where I scored a huge basket to keep blankets in. Here are some pics of random things.









I have more pictures to put up later of some other things...time is tight so I will do my best to return soon!