Charlottesville, VA

Monday, May 9, 2011... We spent the day enjoying the weather. Took Eric to the pool, we went fishing and used the big grill to cook up some steaks and zucchini. After, we headed to the playground and then back to Tastee Freez for dessert.

Eric, our little fisherman, during his short attention span...

Throwing sticks was more fun...

Finally, something fun...

Tuesday, May 10, 2011... The only thing I wanted to do was go to James Madison's home, Montpelier. We spent 3-4 hours there before going to a vineyard to pick up a "thank you" bottle of wine for mom and dad. They were taking care of the cats.

View of the Blueridge Mountains from top of the house...

Peonies...

After the DuPonts bought the house in 1900, they expanded the house from 22 rooms to 55 rooms and 12 bathrooms. In 2003, the Montpelier Foundation began restoring the mansion to the home of the Madison's. The physical structure was completed in 2008.

Eric with life size statues of James and Dolley Madison. He called them "the mommy and daddy."

Entrance to the formal garden...

Dame's Rocket... a pretty, sweet smelling wild flower that I have only seen on the road sides of VA. Well, except that it made it into the Montpelier garden. It is similar to phlox. I've learned that it has been banned in at least 3 states because it can be invasive. I love it! I wish OH's roadsides were covered with it in the spring. And the scent is heavenly!

Kid size archeology dig...

Mr. Madison's Temple... there's an ice well, 2 stories deep, underneath.

Nice looking family...

A secret hide-a-way...

Wednesday, May 11, 2011... back to fishing...

A little play time with daddy...

Sunset over the lake...

Fishing... well, it sucked! Paul did catch a turtle though...

Eric loved the pool! Even after repeated warning of not to run, he came running up to me, slipped and hit his head on the floor. He ended up with a big bump on the back of his head. What a way to end a vacation!

Thursday, May 12... The cabin was empty and van packed, so I took some pictures.

King size bed...

Not sure if they are full or queen beds...

"Eric's room" with the bunk beds...

Full size kitchen...

Living room, fire place under the TV...

Kitchen table seats 8...

A nap on the way home...

We stopped in Mt. Orab for LaRosa's. Here's Mr. Pizza Sauce Face...

ER then on the road again...

Saturday, May 7th... After breakfast and getting a few things done, we headed back to the lake for some more fishing. Later we were going to Paul's Aunt Vanasa's home for dinner. Things did not work out as we planned.

Eric with the first of 3 fish he caught. I caught 2.

This is number 3. Eric wasn't even present when this one got hooked. His line was in the water while I took him to the port-a-potty. When we came back, Paul told him to check his line, knowing there was a fish there. He thought it was pretty cool to come back to his pole and find a fish on his hook.

Our fishing trip was cut short when Paul hooked a thirty pounder, Eric. Eric had been told not to throw things in the water because it would scare the fish away. After he threw some rocks, Paul told him to sit on the bench for a time out. After time out is over he's supposed to tell us why he was in time out, tell us he's sorry and then give hugs. Paul forgot he had a lure on his fishing shirt so when they hugged, Eric's ear got hooked. I was fishing and turned around when I heard Eric crying and Paul calling for me. He couldn't get the hook out of his ear or the lure off of his shirt. I think Eric was crying more because Paul was freaking out a little. It took a few minutes for me to finally get the lure off of the shirt. I had quickly given up trying to get the hook out. Eric stopped crying almost immediately. He looked pretty cool with a fish hanging from his ear. Wish I had gotten a picture of it, a tough looking fisherman. But, I was holding my baby while Paul got some wire cutters to trim the lure down (fish with a barbed triple hook) and he packed up so we could head to the ER. We spent 2 hours there before heading to Walmart to fill a RX for an antibiotic then onto Vanasa and her husband, Kelly's for dinner.

Eric was very good. He's been to the hospital enough between appointments and surgery. He just acted like it was nothing. He even wanted to go back fishing when we were done! Such a trooper.

Sitting patiently waiting for the doctor.

Not the way he should get his ear pierced! And he's not allowed to do it until he's at least 18, mommy's law. Ouch!

Having a chewy granola bar for a snack, as we wait and wait and wait...

Not happy with being pinned as the doctor removes the hook. She didn't numb it enough and was having trouble getting a hold of the hook. I was upset seeing my poor baby hurting and upset like that. The second worse I ever felt over him. (The worst was watching him being wheeled off for his first surgery at 5 /2 months. He was tiny on that big gurney! <>) She gave him some more lyticane (sp?) and he stopped crying, doctor pulled the hook through and all that was left was cleaning up his ear. Well, and taking care of the co-pay.

After dinner at Vanasa and Kelly's, we took a ride on the "gator," in the rain, over to the farm so Eric could see the cows and calves. He was excited about the ride...

After driving past the cows, we headed to the hen house to gather eggs. Eric helping Kelly gather the chicken eggs, one white and one brown. Kelly gave Eric the eggs to take home, so we had farm fresh scrambled eggs Mother's Day morning, yummy! Sorry about the picture, there's water from the rain on the lens.

Aunt Connie and Eric heading back to the house. You can see the big patio table umbrella we're holding onto.

Here come Vanasa, Alex (behind Vanasa) and Maggie.

Eric spending quality with Aunt Vanasa.

Mother's Day, Sunday, May 8th... We just hung out before leaving for the time share, near Charlotteville, VA. Paul's sister, Belle, was passing by the bedroom and saw Eric just sitting on the bed. She asked him what he was doing. Eric gestured to the bathroom, pointing with his thumb and told her "my daddy's in there pooping." LOL!

Belle loves to torment Paul by tickling his feet. She got Eric in on the act. Eric's job was to hold daddy's feet.

We didn't leave Papa's house until close to lunch time. Bojangles was our destiny for lunch. Gotta have that yummy fried chicken when we can get it! Again, Eric and I watched DVD's while poor daddy was at the wheel. Not that I had it easy trying to entertain and answer the endless questions of a four year old.

We stopped and had some Thai for dinner before checking in and moving into our cabin. Eric had already picked out his room before I walked in the door. I wasn't surprised that he zeroed in on the bunk beds. Later we went out for some Tastee Freeze ice cream. ("Sucking on a chili dog outside the Tastee Freeze. Diane's sitting on Jack's lap, got his hands between her knees"... sorry couldn't resist.) Eric enjoyed sharing daddy's chocolate dipped cone. Then back to the cabin for Eric's first night in a bunk bed. He had to agree that a light be left on in case he needed to get up during the night before he was allowed to sleep up there. He did fine. Two nights later he decided he wanted to sleep on the bottom bunk. Guess the novelty wore off after two nights.