August in the Mountains

Dad worked tirelessly over the winter to have the new pool built at Elk River and it is beautiful!  Matthew loved the zero-entry area and Sarah was precious playing with him there.

The trip was interrupted by Matthew breaking out in a nasty case of hives, we would later find out. His first symptoms appeared after being in the grass at the park for about 5 minutes, so I feared that we had a severe grass allergy on our hands.  The hives are constantly increasingly and decreasing in severity, always worsening with human contact (when I held him to feed, etc.).  After two trips to the pediatrician in Boone, all serious blood concerns were ruled out.  Our pediatrician back in Charlottesville said this was merely his reaction to a particular virus.  It indeed went away, but I will never forget his pathetic moaning in the middle of the night as he scratched himself all over while I stared at the clock, waiting for the time I could give him his next dose of benedryl. 

There were some happy moments for Matthew in the mountains...

Fishing for minnows in Valle Cruis with Dody!

Tubing across the river with Sarah and Abby

I was sickened that he felt so horrible, but I got terribly sweet cuddles while he was down.

Golf with Granddaddy was a hit!

Always stunning flowers around Elk River.

YES!  This is how a road trip with three when you're flying solo can be a bit more manageable!

Flying High!

Part of Michael's birthday present in May was a flight lesson...for two.  He and Andrew went up today with an instruction and apparently the experience was a hit.  Michael was instructed how to take off, land and they toured town, even able to find our house.

 

The Meadow (alongside the Rivana River), after which Still Meadow is named.

Our house...painfully obvious how awful our yard is despite our efforts.  Thinking we should cancel Trugreen!

 

Various shots of UVA

Margaret's 3, Going on 30!

A few favorite quotes lately from Margaret....

"Margaret, where did you get your_____(fill in the blank personality trait)?" She will quickly insist, "God!". 

How to type, but when she is understanding the answer to a curious question, she will appropriately respond, "Oooohhhh, GOTCHA!".  Absolutely perfect context and inflection:) 

We are continually questioned, "She's only just now turning 3?  But she speaks so well?!".  Yes, she speaks well and she speaks constantly.  I will never forget Miss Pat and Miss Jill saying a year ago at her fall conference that her language skills could not be assessed because she (and her classmates) did not talk at school.  I confidently reassured them that yes....she did indeed talk...non-stop. 

Our tradition is to have the kids help with their own cakes or cupcakes.  They LOVE participating and it gets me off the hook from striving for perfection.

We had lots of church and preschool friends over for our usual driveway backyard party.  Thanks to the Williams, again, for the moon bounce, and to Michael for pulling off baseball, swinging, trampoline, corn hole and bocce ball in the back yard.  Kids of all ages were busy!

Happy, happy boy all day:)

LOVE her excitement in the following series - just wish she had been looking towards the camera!

She just can't wait!

 

Cake for the birthday girl and...

...Cake for the baby!

Trying so hard to keep that pinky down!

A precious calm came over her as she contemplated
just what her first present might be.

Matthew trucking in to help.

Binky Boy content to sit and watch.

 

On her birthday, Margaret decided she would NOT have her picture taken...at all...with anyone.  In attempt to get a shot of the siblings, we tried to lure her in with posed brotherly love.  It did not work. 

 

 

 

 

We think she enjoyed the cupcake that Dody and Granddaddy brought her:)  Matthew braved a few minutes at Andrew's flag football game curled up in Dody's arms. 

 

 

  I am head over heels in love with this girl's spirit.

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