McAfee Knob

The last day of “school” we headed up to Blacksburg right after Norahs last google meet and our FaceTime piano lessons. We had been wanting to go most of quarantine but they closed all the trails up there. We debated about still going because at least it would be a different house we would be stuck in! Ha! 

They were just opening up the parking lot and trail when we pulled up. In fact we parked down the street because the parking lot was barricaded but when we walked by the rangers were moving them so Brent went and moved out car closer. And we saw a peacock just walking down the trail. 

The kids were excited to hike this after seeing our pictures from when Brent and I hiked it. I think we redeemed our 14er hike from colorado. This was wasn’t so strenuous and gave a pretty spectacular view.

Joel is terrified of heights so I’m was impressed he got as closed to the edge as he did.

Joel picking on Norah and ruining the picture she wanted me to take.

Norah pushes him away.

Joel “Norah you almost knocked me off the mountain”

Sibling love

Onto middle school

I think Joels note to his teacher pretty much sums up this year

Onto high school

It’s hard to believe this kid (who is just 1 inch shorter than me) is heading off to high school next year. And we’ve never been more ready for a year to end. I think the relief that the virtual learning was over outweighed the sadness that another year has passed. All I’ve heard from high school parents is that it just flies by. I’m not ready for that to happen but for now we will enjoy this strange summer and hope that school starts back like normal in the fall. 

We got to go into his school and clean out his locker. It was very sureal being there with masks. Not recognizing his teachers in masks and being so far apart from others. It was good though to give him a taste of what the fall might be like. 

Bedtime conversations with Joel

Joel: when I’m n heaven I’m just going to jump off cliffs. Then I won’t have to worry about dying.

Joel: Are  there fat people in heaven? Do you get to pick your size?

Me: well God made everyone all different shapes and sizes. What would you want to look like?

Joel: I want to be a DUCK!!!

Summer

Swimming has been cancelled. I honestly don’t know what a summer looks like without a swim team. Joel is the only one thrilled we don’t have swim team but he will miss his friends.  We might be able to hold a 2 week conditioning practice at the end of summer but for now I think this summer will look more like this. Exploring local parks together.

I don’t think that will be so bad ❤️

Pleasure house point

Norah and I had a google meet with the other two girl scout leaders in our troop and we all talked about places and parks that we could go to hat was open. My friend Katy mentioned how my kids would love pleasure house point so I looked it up and on a Friday afternoon a few weeks ago we checked it out.

We all loved it. There are a lot of trails and inlets we could explore and practically empty...

Until we came upon this little beach area. All our beaches were closed but people will find the nature preserves and find a way to go to the beach. I told the kids the next time we would bring our bathing suits so they could swim.

She desperately wants to find a pearl inside an oyster.