Out of Hand: May 2019

Memorial Weekend & Charlottesville

Friday, May 31, 2019

Virginia Discovery Museum. Thanks to our Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum membership, we saved $54 and enjoyed an air-conditioned space with a bunch of new work-stations, which each of the kids enjoyed at the same time! ASTCs have been our friends over the last year.

Forest Hills Park Sprayground:

Lee District Park:

DH's famous Neapolitan margherita pizza:

Thursday, May 30, 2019

The bees are active again at the Discovery Museum. They were of great interest to Mr. Serious on our last trip.

A pixie is the only cut that will fix this.

Sunday, May 19, 2019

"Shush! Baby Moana is sleeping."

Sunday, May 12, 2019

The family was far too kind to me. DH cleaned the house, had flowers delivered, and helped us get to the early Mass so we could eat breakfast out. (Thank you for the gift card!)

The Firstborn's teacher is a mom of 2 boys.

Three months left. Can only manage moment-to-moment lately. But very much looking forward to boy #4!

My siblings and I bought our mom a peony package because they are her favorite. We missed Grandma H this year. Lots of love remains.

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Conversations she started while grocery shopping:

1. "Excuse me. Do you have brown skin?"

2. "Why are you doing that with your feet?" (To an old lady tip toeing around in a wheelchair.)

3. "Do you have a big belly?" (To the obese checkout clerk.)

...in addition to shouting "Hi!" to everyone remotely proximate.

Thankfully, no one was offended. They all chatted with her. Still, if you need me, I will be hiding under my pillow.

[Yes, I've chatted with her about everyone looking different (incl. some with physical deformaties); and that all people are loved tremendously by God. And all people want what she wants: to be loved, to have friends, to be respected and needed, etc.]

Weekend Breakfast

Normally, DH makes Kodiak cakes with chocolate chips on Saturday mornings. But May weekends are loaded with far too many activities (kids' concerts, games, hair appointments). So, in lieu of giving DH the 5-hours to himself I'd hoped to, I made a breakfast of bacon and buttermilk pancakes (Test Kitchen Style) and sent him off on a long run. These were amazing and made me wonder why I don't make them more often. (I guess calorie content often inspires us to make omelettes instead.) Anyway, the kids loved them. And so, I will be asked to make them again! :)

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

"Bloom where you are planted."

-St. Francis de Sales

Also, Henri Cartier-Bresson said, "Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst." I just passed 10,000 on my new camera and would like to think that my photography has improved a bit. Still a lot to learn, but I love this journey!

This is the Engineer's sproutling. He has a green thumb. And this sprout represents the tremendous growth he has made personally this year. We are so proud of him!

Monday, May 6, 2019

This one hates P.E., but loves long distance running and hiking. Today, siblings were invited to join him for a mile run. Here is a photo medley:

His goal was 30 laps. Each time he passed the start line, he was supposed to have someone cross off a number. He talked them into crossing off a few extras each time he dropped by. I never underestimate this one's intelligence.