Monday Love

Fabulous weekend!  Yes that is what we had.  It had plenty of fun stuff, a little time spent volunteering and there was even time for some relaxing! 

A night under the lights at the Diamond!

Everyone volunteering with Rebuilding Together

A walk at Henricus Park

Henricus Park



Emma took her mini for a spin :)



This is the little flower garden that could!

That little flower garden is a labor of love.  Mark was never big on planting anything in the yard so I've made it my goal to cover just about every inch with something that blooms, buds or flowers....and this spot gets little sun, lots of leaves and seems to have been soarly neglected.  It's getting there...I think by next year it will be perfect for a hammock and a do not disturb sign :)

Hope your weekend was fabulous!  Happy Monday everyone. 

Monday Love

I know everyone is trying to adjust to the new time change and it's left a few people feeling a bit sllloooow...but I just LOVE it.  This morning I did have to wake up while it was still dark but on the flip side I had a nice shiney car because it was still light enough yesterday evening that Mark was able to wash my baby and his baby too!  He is the sweetest thing EVER! 

Our weekend we enjoyed some time relaxing and enjoying the comforts of home.  We did manage to pull ourselves away from the couch long enough to visit a winery and go on a group run/walk.  Mark and Tommy also went to the season opener for a local indoor arena football team.  Male bonding at it's best. 




James River Wine Cellars Sprin Open House



The Richmond Raiders



Henricus Park

I did get started on a few projects around the house.  One of the projects my sister has been good enough to help me with and for that I could kiss her.  I have been wanting to paint my kitchen for months and today she is getting that started for me.  Did I mention I could kiss her for that?  Yea, I could. 

This week is shaping up to be a very busy one.  Tonight Mark and I have a dance class :)  So I'm sure at some point I'll blog about that and share some details.  I have a night I have to dedicate to work and then another night I am spending hanging out with my girl friends.  With all that and my extra hour of day light I am super thrilled :) 

So tell me....how was your weekend?



Monday Love

Please keep all hands and arms inside the vehicle until the weekend comes to a stop!  Whew!!!!  What a busy/exciting/fun weekend :)  I think from the time the weekend started to the time the weekend ended we were going non stop.  I've tell you all about it this week but just a few pictures to share for now. 



Christy and I saw The Lion King in Richmond



The girls up early on Saturday to play with the stuffed Pumba



Mark and I attended the Red Dress Gala
in support of The American
Heart Association



Mark playing Capt. Morgan after a run
at Henricus Park



Emma helping her Aunt Sharon
blow out the candle on her cake



And after all that fun....we got to come home and clean up after the E-2 (2 year old Emma) touched down in our living room...




Looks like Daddy and Emma had
a good time while Momma was
busy at the park.

Hope everyone had a grand weekend.  I'll post more on some of the chaos that was our weekend during the week. 




Free or Cheap ways to spend the day around Richmond

As a mother of three I am always looking for ways to get out and see Richmond or the surrounding counties/cities without spending an arm and a leg.  To my surprise when I started looking I came across a lot of fun and entertaining things to do.  My hope is that I can share some of the places we like to visit so that you can visit and get as much entertainment out of them as we do. 

A few of our favorite free places:

A tour of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Henricus Park in Chesterfield (the city portion does require a fee but the hiking trail and picnic area is free to use)

The Ferry from Jamestown to Scotland (Williamsburg Ferry) and back

The Poe Museum in Richmond-There is usually a fee to tour the museum but on special occasions it is open to the public for free.

Blandford Cemetery in Petersburg

Visit Maymont Park

Take a swim or bike Belle Isle

 

Other things to do that may not be free but wont break the bank....

Petersburg National Battlefield $5 entry fee per car load

Catch a game at the Diamond-Go Squirrels!

Visit the Chesterfield Zoo



Tour one of many state parks - Usually around $5 dollars to visit for a day/per car load



Some other free places to do:
Visit historic Hollywood Cemetery
Bike the trails off of River Road in Richmond
Swim at Pony Pasture
Walk along the river front at City Point in Hopewell
Tour one of the MANY historic museums in Richmond or Petersburg

The Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond

Children's Museum of Richmond

Walk along the Canal Walk

I know this list is not inclusive of all that the area has to offer.  And it is primarily focused on Richmond and surrounding areas but that is because I live in that area.  But what else is out there?  What do YOU like to do?

Henricus Historical Park

I'm not sure if it is the close proximity or the scenery of this park that keeps me coming back time and time again.  Henricus Historical Park is the site of the second permanent English settlement in the New World.  It is some 400 years old and I like to call it Mini Jamestown.  It has a small city built near the river that you can tour for a small fee.  But the portion of the park that I frequent the most is free to visitors.  There is a loop within the park that is almost 5 miles and really has some gorgeous and unusual sites.



This water is actually in the center of the park and you walk all round it.



The park is right next to the James River and part of the river flows into the park into a sort of moat.  This is apparently due to a dutch technique they used when Henricus was first being formed and thus the name for the area Dutch Gap. 

We call that wild flower Queen Anne's Lace.

Another shot of the water.  The land on the other side is part of the park.

There are some picnic tables and pavilions throughout the park as well as some floating fishing docks.  There are a few benches along the main trail but they are spaced about a mile apart.  One small bridge in the park that you pass over offers a great views.  While at the park you may even spot a balde eagle or two. 

Kayakers heading out to the river.

One wonky tree that made for a great picture.

We love this park for the nature, the history, the price and the time it allows us to spend together.  We bike here, walk here and I've even ran a race here (mud pits were involved).  Maybe I'll share that story some day.