Weekend in W VA nd Virginia

 This past Saturday morning we went to Peanut Butter & Jam's Winter Concert which was Bim Bam Boom (percussionists) held at Wyoming Arts Center.  As usual just a wonderful experience and we both learned a lot.  For example the steel drum instrument has only been around since 1951.   Kids in Trinidad used washed up oil drums to play these drums.

  Miss A choose her outfit.  After class we got a late start for our trip to W VA due to a tenant heat issue.  Fortunately we were able to still make it to Lewisburg in time to have dinner with Nancy at one of our favorite restaurants.  We were a little concerned how Audrey would deal after such a long day.  But she was great.

 The next day we took a more scenic rout to Richmond to accommodate Audrey's napping.  So we arrived late afternoon with a cheerful little girl who was very happy to see the pony at her Grandma's house.  This horse is about 60 years old.  One of John's mom's friends gave it to for Andrew to play with.

 Climbing Baba... note the cute pigtails.

   We celebrated Christmas with John's family after dinner. 

  Audrey's sweet cousin Andrew taught her how to crawl down steps! 

 Cuties.

  Audrey really likes her cousin Andrew.

 Going to a Mexican restaurant Monday for lunch.

 And then we went to Richmond's Science Museum.

 One of my favorite pictures of these 2.

 Fishing with baba.

 Andrew working on the car in the exhibit sponsored by Carmax Cares.

 And Miss A and Baba changing a tire in the same exhibit.

 Ambulance driver and his co-pilot.

 Then we stopped by the Playhouse.

 1st costume change was this really odd fitting blue dress.  We never figured out the neckline.

 Next was this leopard dress which she wore only briefly.

 She was totally comfortable in the blue tutu.

 Watching the stage performance with Baba.  Basically what was happening on stage was little boys opening and shutting the curtain and play fighting.

 Hugging the red dino on the way out.  She pointed it out to me that he had money.

 Tuesday we drove to Lewisburg and went swimming.  This is such a goofy picture of Audrey but I didn't get many and wanted to remember how excited she was about her swimsuit.  She kept walking around the room saying "my new swim suit" over and over.

That night we went to a nearby Chinese restaurant. I remembered Nancy and I did not care for this restaurant 8 years ago when we ate there but thought it might have improved.   Sadly no.

 

 But we liked their cool dragons.

  And this picture of the summer palace made us nostalgic.

  Warming up by the lobby fireplace at our hotel after dinner.

Enjoying last of warm January weather at the park, Movers and Shakers class and "Fine Print" Culture Kids class @ CAM

 Tuesday was warm for January so Audrey and I took a long walk around the neighborhood.  We ran into Patty at Hair on the Hill, then Frank and Dianne coming out of the Grill before we made it to the bank.  After the bank we walked to Paula's to drop off a letter and then ran into Sue Z reading a book on her front porch and chatted a while.  Then we hiked up the hill past the Playhouse to our neighborhood playground.  Although Audrey talked about the slide she would not go down by herself this day.  She was tired from walking so much and asked to be carried home.

  Having fun at Miss Kelly's Movers and Shakers class on Wednesday.  Note the pink mittens.

 Once again with the mittens.  This time at Culture Kids "Fine Print" class at the art museum this morning.  After Miss Elissa read the book Art by Patrick McDonnell we took the tour with Miss Regina.  The tour focused on patterns and textures.  Audrey was narrating the experience, repeating "follow Miss Regina" and repeating comments she heard.... including "good to see you" (something she overheard) which made the adults laugh.

 I love the art museum's classes.  Last night Audrey pulled out the translucent color papers she received at Wee Wednesday last month and showed us that "yellow and blue make green".  We are happy that this seems fun for her as well.

 A snack was offered after the tour and before the art project.  I am so pleased it seems Audrey has finally mastered the juice box (ie. doesn't squeeze the juice and mess with the straw.)  And I'm also sure this is a skill I certainly could have encourage her to learn earlier but it wasn't that important to me.

 The art project was something called a monoprint.  According to the paperwork CAM gave us about ways to integrate art project at home..."a traditional monoprint incorporates painting as well as printmaking and results in one of a kind print transferred from the printing plate, or matrix, to a piece of paper."  For today's project however the children used crayons to color a small piece of sandpaper and then Miss Elissa ironed it on to a piece of paper.  Below is Audrey's monoprint.

 And also her 1st art project to be displayed on the refridgerator.  I thought it was interesting that there appear to be 3 houses close together near the top of the print.

 Afterwards we went to lunch @ CAM cafe.  Fortunately Miss A can entertain herself shaking the sugar packets.

 She had mac n cheese.  I think she is going through another growth spurt because it is amazing how much she is eatting again.

 And it was during this meal she discoverd just how much she loves potato chips.

Learning how to use her camera, choosing her clothes and "That is interesting"...

 Last night after dinner Miss A asked for us to put her tutu on.  She is getting better at taking pictures with the camera she received for Christmas.

 In the picture above she is imitating me taking a vertical picture of her.

 Just cute.

 Loving her tutu.

 This morning after breakfast Miss A noticed the the CNY dragon banner hanging on our pantry door was floating out due to the furnace kicking on.  She asked why this was happening and after we explained she "that is interesting".  Her tone of voice and the comprehension impressed both John and myself.

 This morning she also chose this outfit and quite proudly said "I choose clothes".  She pointed out the pink roses to me as we were coming downstairs to breakfast.  The sunglasses were another choice she made today.  We went to Target to get a pair for her as we lost her other pair and she can't stand it when I wear mine.  I was secretly happy she picked this pair over the others ... barbie, hello kitty, etc.

 Rock star!

 Wearing her new glasses to color before lunch.

Miss Kelly's Movers & Shakers class, dinner @ Susie Wong's and haircut @ Hair on the Hill

 Miss Kelly's Movers and Shakers class resumed this past Wednesday.  In the picture above Miss A was pointing out the "purple R" to me.  I'm loving the descriptions she is adding to her observations these days.  Also note her signature attire of wearing mittens inside.

 The weather was exceptionally warm Thursday so we took a walk around the neighborhood.  This included trip to our neighborhood dry cleaners and Bow Tie Cafe.  I had the little red silk coat she we bought in Guanzhou and she wore until recently cleaned.  We plan to have it framed in a shadow box.

 Friday we opted for dinner at Susie Wong's rather than our neighborhood grill.  We wanted to pick up a catering menu as we are planning a Chinese New Years party at the end of this month.

  The food was really good and true to form Miss A was an excellent diner.  She adores attention which the staff was only too happy to provide.

  Saturday afternoon we had an appointment at the salon up the street to get Miss A's bangs trimmed.  Sue, the stylist, was so incredibly sweet she brought stuffed animals and let Audrey choose one to take home.  She chose a panda and then showed Sue how to sign "panda" (make a "p" and circle your eye to show it's markings.) Coincidentally one of our neighbors had an appointment following A's and we had a blast hanging with them.  Patti, our neighbor, brought her dog Boo who provided loads of entertainment too. So our 15 minute bang appointment turned into hanging at the salon for 2 hours.

 We love our fun neighborhood!

Coffee Emporium and attempted visit to the Aquarium

 John had the day off today.  So we started the day with a trip to Coffee Emporium.  Miss A is looking particularly happy in the above picture and she really was enthusiastic about the snow. It lightly snowed all day today, but no accumulation. 

 At Coffee Emporium.

 Baba's scone was yummy.

  Here she is offering me the crunchy vegan thing I bought for her.  Not that she isn't completely generous as she offered me some of Baba's yummy scone too.

  Audrey the "hipster" at the downtown coffee shop.

  The super cool "science experiment" coffee maker we bought today at Cafe Emporium and the real reason we headed there this morning.  We still have to buy the butane to actually use it.

We were headed to the aquarium after the coffee shop when I got a call that one of my tenants front windows had mysteriously been broken.  So no trip to aquarium and $180 bummer but at least it wasn't frozen pipe or no heat.  There is a little freak out about the broken window but could be as innocent as someone trying to throw something in their trash can and missing.  Doesn't appear to be a break in attempt. So we had to hang in the neighborhood in order to wait for and pay the repairman.  In the end we saw friends, Audrey learned a cool bowling game at Crowley's and we had an early dinner at The Next Chapter.

Counting to 10