My Favorite Visitors

September 23-25, 2023                                                Most Recent Posts:
Greenfield Mountain Farm                                Ups and Downs in Virginia
Virginia                                                                                   Disbelief

RAINY SATURDAY

I took a delightful week-end off from all the chores and problems when Carrie, Celia and Colin came to visit.   They light up the farm with their laughter and smiles even though Saturday was rainy and dreary.  It was a short trip.  They arrived Friday and left Monday but we had a great time.

Each morning began with reading in bed.

When the rain lightened up a bit and they were getting antsy, we headed out in raincoats and boots.  Unfortunately my rain gear was in Ruby.  I hadn’t cleaned everything out.  I was still hoping.  

Off for a rain walk with Nana in the lead in a WAY TOO BIG raincoat of Papa’s.

Celia isn’t too sure but soon she’s taking a chance on this puddle splashing stuff even if gingerly.

And then they are off and running.

Celia suggests we catch raindrops in our mouths.  Not sure why Colin isn’t game.

We walk the length of the farm lane so as not to get anyone's clothes too wet in the grass.  Colin is ready to turn back before the rest of us.

Then it’s a trip to the local Wintergreen Hardware.  It’s been a month since they were here now so I can’t remember what I needed to go for.  Something to fix one of the overhead lights I think.

But they had a wonderful time playing follow the leader,  who of course was Celia, up and down the smallish store’s aisles.  No big box stores out here.

Mommy brings up the rear while the hardware man helps Nana.  Love small hardware stores where the owner helps you find what you need.

By this time, the power has gone out because of who knows what out here in the country so we build with duplos in front of the living room bay windows with plenty of light.

Colin likes to build tall buildings and make a train to put on the people on.

Still no power but we can have a birthday party anyway.  Colin’s birthday is September 1st but Nana was in Vermont then and couldn’t come to his party.  So they have another party when he comes to visit.  Never enough birthday parties RIGHT?

I gave Colin two Kanoodle Jr Puzzle Games so that he could “share” them with whomever he wished.  That means, Celia can play too if she asks Colin who is very generous.

Or when Celia moves to play with the other game I got him, Tanagram Puzzle Magnetic Pattern Blocks,  He can play with both the Kanoodles at once.  LOL!

Celia was very interested in the magnetic shapes and being able to copy the designs and letters.

Celia let Nana have a turn too.

And of course then we had to sing Happy 5th Birthday and have birthday cupcakes beneath a battery operated lantern hanging for the kitchen light.

Now what to do as it gets later?   Well Winnona has solar panels so she has power.

No problem finding things to do here.

Not sure what was so interesting about the passenger seatbelt but Colin is concentrating in earnest.

It’s very hard to win at Slap Jack with Colin as you can see in this video Carrie took.

Before joining Slap Jack Celia enjoyed the Hundred Acre Woods figures that travel with me in Winnona.  Looks like poor Eeyore got left out.  Or maybe he’s behind her hand.

SUNDAY

Luckily the rain is gone by today but the we still have no power. 

I’d picked up these two big wheels a few weeks ago for them to ride on the farm road.   The only problem is that the road is a great wild ride down hill but a tough pedal back up.

At first they just ride from the barnyard down to where its little drive meets the farm road.  Perhaps fearing the turn to go all the way down.

If you can’t pedal up hill then pick them up and carry them.

In pretty short order they are flying from the barnyard down the lane until it levels out and starts back uphill into the woods.  They are the dots in the distance

They pedal on until they can’t any more and then they start carrying the big wheels up in order to ride down again.   This routine goes on for some time.

After some snacks, it’s time to  head over to the little local Community Center Park.

Things are problematic on a see-saw when your sister weighs more than you do.

That’s when you get your Nana to help.

Even big kids can play here.

Back home Carrie’s childhood friend Kate comes to visit us all the way from Richmond.  It’s great to see her and Celia particularly is a fan.

This has been a lovely day for all activities outdoors.  Check out the cheesy smile from Colin.  I think every child does that when told to “smile”.

Two different card games going on at the same time.  Rocks compliments of Colin.

Putting the rocks back reasonably cheerfully.

After letting the ground dry up as much as possible from yesterday’s rains, we set off for a hike to the stream in the lower field.

Celia is not so sure at first.

But soon they are stomping around and disappear out of sight returning with tales to tell.   That is one wonderful thing about living out here, the children can have adventures without much worry.

We finish off the day when I take them all out for dinner at the nearby Devil’s Backbone Brewery where the food is good and there is a large open play space for the kids to run.

Now there is a real smile!   And what a pile of loaded fries.

Sadly the next day it was time for them to return to work and school.  No pictures of the departure.  That’s not the part of this fun week end I want to remember.