Spinnin'-around-horsies and strawbabies

We had a visit from Gigi and Grandpa this week. LOVED it. We had so much fun.

I saw an article in Southern Living last year sometime about a restored carousel and had been meaning to go, especially when my mom was here because I knew she'd like it. So we headed up to the Hampton Carousel near the Air and Space museum. BEAUTIFUL! It was carved in 1921 (all wood, except the gears and working parts) by German, Italian, and Russian immigrants. Munchkin had never been on a carousel before and this was a great one for her first! We went on a Friday morning, and we had it to ourselves for pictures and rides. She was NOT happy to leave, and keeps asking to go see the "spinnin'-around horsies" again. I plan to take her this weekend

sometime.

Then, I wanted to take her strawberry picking for the first time. She loves plants, but obviously never gets to pull anything off of them. Once we taught her what to do, she was going and picking like MAD. She demanded to carry her own bucket no matter how heavy it got...and even tasted a few while picking. They had a hayride going with a working team of Belgian horses...very well trained ones. The guy does competitions with them and he says he seldom loses. She thought that was great, and was thrilled to pet a real live horse.

As Jason leaves soon, we had local family over for a nice dinner. Yummy steaks grilled by the hubster. It was nice to have everyone over...my mom and dad hadn't seen most of them since the baptism. And it was great to know what a wonderful distraction and babysitter our cousin Lee is going to be! She wouldn't leave him alone most of the day.

Outer Banks recap

We got back on the 11th, we had a great stay. I am sorry that the cold front moved in, because we only got one day of beach and pool. The hotel had one of those "lazy river" pools and Munchkin loved that like no other. I was floating with her in the innertube and she kept making me twirl. So much so that I was dizzy and nauseas and she was begging for more.

We did a fair bit of hiking/walking nature trails there, found seashells, ate a lot of good seafood, and saw the wild horses. Munchkin thought that was the best thing ever! One of the yearlings came about 4 feet from out Jeep and she was letting loose the baby giggles not to be believed. Then later, one of the stallions crossed in front of us and had a potty break...all she could say for the next half hour was "Horsey pooped". It was obviously the favorite part of her excursion by far. The tour guide couldn't stop laughing. She still talks about it if you ask her about horsies.

On one of our nature walks in the bird sanctuary, we didn't see any birds. We did chase lots of butterflies though. That was ok with her.

I did love seeing all of the painted horses, kind of like Norfolk does the mermaids or the more famous Parade of Cows. I couldn't get my favorite one to picture right...it was made to look like a disco ball...oh well, live in the memory I guess.

On our own again

Just briefly...he'll be home so we can leave for the Outer Banks! We are both so giddy excited about this beach trip. Beach fun for the Munchkin and a bit of relaxation for us. Hopefully I can get a massage while we're there but I haven't booked it yet and it IS Mother's Day weekend. No biggie if that doesn't work out.

Then, Mom and Dad are coming up for a visit! I am thrilled about that too, and so is Munchkin. She keeps running into the guest room and saying "Gigi Grandpa" when I tell her they will visit. I hope to go up to this antique/restored carousel that is in Hampton while they're here and get some good pictures. And I'm checking around for festivals and such.

End of the month will get here too soon for my taste though. So much to do and so little time left.