Four Years in Pictures

Our baby has turned 4. It seems like just yesterday that she was born! Let's take a picture walk down memory lane:

The morning of Josie's birth:

Josie's original birth day:

Josie's 1st Birthday:

Josie's 2nd Birthday:


Josie's 3rd Birthday:


Josie's 4th Birthday:


Happy birthday, beautiful girl!

Strawberry Picking

It's that time of year again! We tried out Gallmeyer Farms this year. And, while the strawberries are small, they sure are delicious - juicy and sweet! We picked about 7 quarts!!! We have already had a yummy strawberry pie and smoothies. Now, to find a few new recipes.

Our trip in pictures:

Looking for the perfect row for picking:
Josie trying her hand at picking:
Teamwork:

Ummmm....yummy:
Posing with daddy:

Posing with mommy:

Josie's first time holding and checking out a toad - she wasn't too sure of it:
Attempted family portrait:

Camp-Out

For a few weeks Josie and daddy have been talking about having a camp-out. Deciding the backyard was the way to start, they planned for a Saturday night date. Unfortunately the rain gods were watching and decided to try to rain on their parade. However, thanks to some quick thinking and a few modifications, Josie and daddy were still able to have their camp-out, playroom floor style!

Setting up and getting started in the beach tent:

What's a camp-out without s'mores?!?
Reading bedtime stories by flashlight:
Indoor camping = success!
Next stop, the backyard - - if daddy's aching back can take it!

Naptime

Even though Josie is almost four, she still goes down for a "nap" almost every day. I use the word "nap" loosely because sleeping only occurs about 50% of the time. However, she needs the rest, and I certainly need the break, so she goes to her bed. Usually I know ahead of time if she is going to sleep or not just by her demeanor. On one recent day, I knew she wouldn't sleep during naptime. But, I needed lunch and a shower, so she was sent to rest in her bed. When I was ready to shower I stuck my head into her room and told her that she may get some books to read while I showered. After my shower she would be allowed to get up. As I turned off the water at the end of my shower I keep hearing thumping and jumping sounds. Oddly enough, they were coming from outside the bathroom door. I rushed to peek out the door and was greeted by the following sight:


My lovely "resting" daughter had decided that it would be much more fun to make hopscotch out of her books than to read them. The pictures do not do the hopscotch 'board' much justice. It went down the hall and around the corner into the livingroom and did not break form - 2 books, 1 book, 2 books...... Of course I had to pretend to be upset that she didn't listen and left her bedroom, but secretly I was laughing as I took the pictures of my creative little girl!

Busch Gardens

A few weeks ago, Josie and I joined friends J&J on a trip to Busch Gardens. And since it is only an hour away and the kids had a blast, we decided to get season "Fun Passes". This is a great program that Busch Gardens runs for VA residents. Pay full price admission one time and return as many times as you would like through Labor Day for FREE! I think we will definitely get our money's worth on this one!

Josie riding the "dropping" ride (we didn't catch the real name!):



Josie and J checking out the Sesame Street show ("Are you feeling hot, hot, hot"):
Visiting with the characters afterward - luckily my girl is getting over the scary-character aversion she has had for several years!:





Josie was very excited to take a picture with this goat for daddy. We even had to text it to him immediately!:
Riding a roller coaster:
Flying like superman:
Happy girl riding the swings - one of her all-time favorite pastimes:

Future pilot in training:

What a great trip. The kids had a blast and we were able to exhaust them enough to ensure an early bedtime! We look forward to more BG trips this summer!

Hiking

We are so lucky to have a wonderful park nearby with a playground, a weekly farmer's market, and incredibly beautiful hiking trails near the river. Recently we were lucky enough to take a family hike at this great park.

Josie heading toward the trail:

Pausing to pose:
Lounging on a rock in the river with daddy:
The whole family takes a break:
And, what hiking trip in the park is complete without hiking out of the park and across the road for some yummy ice cream?:

Cute Quote of the Day

This is really two quotes that tie together nicely!

On our long car trip to PA yesterday Josie speaks up from the back seat, "Mommy, I want to be a doctor when I grow up and I will see kids and grown-ups. Then, I can make your leg stop hurting."

Her compassion for my bad hip and calf was so sweet. But, it gets even better.

Later, I told her that her cousin Kelsey wasn't feeling well and she asked, "Does she have allergies or a cold?" When I replied that I didn't know she said, "Well, if it is really, really, really bad then it is allergies. If it is even more worser then it is a cold."

Sounds like she is ready for medical school already!

Cute Quote of the Day

This morning Josie was sitting on the floor, holding her bare feet in the air and peering at them intently.

Then she looked at me and in a matter-of-fact way said, "Mom, if my feet were people then they would be twins."

Good observation.

Creepy Crawlers

Josie and daddy love to work in the garden. Every year they plant a wide range of vegetation, with a wide range of successful growth!


I give credit to daddy and gardening for developing Josie's love of bugs and other creepy crawlers. Alright, love might be a strong word. She has some interest in them (which is a lot more than can be said for most other three-year-old girls!). She likes to peer closely at them, and has even been known to pick up a caterpillar or two! Yesterday, while gardening with daddy, I happened upon a funny scene. Josie was holding a worm and squealing in delight. Why? Not because she was excited to see it up close, or because it was crawling up her arm. No, my daughter was excited because the worm was making a "J" in her hand - J for Josie. She was so excited that she volunteered to continue holding it while I went inside to get the camera and capture this life-changing event on film!

The Flood Wall

A few weekends ago, we decided to do some new exploring in Richmond. I have wanted to walk on the Flood Wall for a while now. Several times I have even packed Josie and I up and hopped in the car to go there. However, the kind of scary homeless man that is ALWAYS sitting under the tree in the deserted parking lot has continually deterred me. So, this time I planned a family trip. And, although the kind of scary homeless guy was yet again under the tree in the deserted parking lot, we parked there anyway and braved the jaunt passed him to the flood wall access. We had a wonderful time walking along the river, taking in the views of the city (Richmond is so scenic!) and eating a picnic dinner on a bridge.

I am open to suggestions for other hidden gems we may have yet to explore!