9:59 p.m.
Well, time to wrap up the day. We guys had a great meal at Don Pablos. Shortly after we got back Cara-Lea was able to stop by and meet Ethan. Also, dad and I got to hold him for the first time. Just arrived back home. Now to download the 500 or so pictures I took today. Then, time to sleep after getting up at 4:30 a.m.
Long story summarized... It was a great day. Everyone's happy and healthy so how could we ask for more?
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Trying to Catch Up With 18 Year Old Me
Goal by my next birthday... run as fast as when I was 18 years old for 3 miles. Call it a small victory (or defeat) for 30 year olds.
May 2010: 31% slower than young me.
June 2010: 23%
May to September: Long break from running.
October 2010: No 3 mile times, but started running regularly
November 4, 2010: 22%
November 14, 2010: 11%
Seems like I have a decent shot, but that last 11% will be the hardest to gain.
Only sharing to help keep myself motivated (notice no times) since I've spent the last 10 years dismissing exercise as a myth invented to sucker us into gym memberships. But then when my job recently relocated to the 11th floor...and I decided to try the stairs one day... and I was wheezing with heart beating out of my chest by the 8th floor... I figured it was time to re-examine the benefits of raising my heart rate occasionally.
May 2010: 31% slower than young me.
June 2010: 23%
May to September: Long break from running.
October 2010: No 3 mile times, but started running regularly
November 4, 2010: 22%
November 14, 2010: 11%
Seems like I have a decent shot, but that last 11% will be the hardest to gain.
Only sharing to help keep myself motivated (notice no times) since I've spent the last 10 years dismissing exercise as a myth invented to sucker us into gym memberships. But then when my job recently relocated to the 11th floor...and I decided to try the stairs one day... and I was wheezing with heart beating out of my chest by the 8th floor... I figured it was time to re-examine the benefits of raising my heart rate occasionally.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Apple Picking
October 7, 2010
I had been thinking of visiting a “pick your own” apple orchard for a long time. A little research online convinced me that Stribling Apple Orchard would be the best choice. They had apples, farm animals, a country store and pumpkins, all points of interest to Kaley and Connor. The farm itself is a historic site, the buildings being originally constructed in the 1700’s. The first lease of this property was granted to William Marshall, uncle of Chief Justice John Marshall, in 1765. I found the history fascinating. You can read more about it at History of Stribling Orchard
It took us one hour to drive from Woodbridge to Markham, VA just off of I-66 where the orchard is located. When we arrived the farm workers were dumping buckets of fallen apples into the animal yards to lure them from the barn. Kaley and Connor were very excited to see the huge momma pig, cows, sheep, horses and donkeys. One friendly donkey stood near the fence and let them pet his side.
Our friends Kirstin and Charles Henry Falk were delayed exiting the DC area and so they arrive about an hour after we did. I took my time making sure the kids had a potty break and were thoroughly covered with sunscreen. We ate an early lunch and bought some apple butter. Kaley kept asking me “Can we pick apples now???” When Kirstin and Charles Henry, arrived Kaley could hardly hold herself back. She ran around dragging the plastic apple bag, begging to get started picking.
It seemed nuts to push the double stroller through the orchard grass, especially given that it was quite hilly. However, I finally decided it might be necessary to have the stroller along for transporting apples and children.
The farm gave us an apple picking tool on a long pole but as it turned out we didn’t need it because there were so many apples close to the ground.
Connor spent the whole event with an apple in each hand taking alternating bites from each. I tried desperately to clean the apples before he munched down on them, but after taking a few bites he would add his apples to the bag and pick two more. At the end of the day I had fun sorting out the apples that had bites taken from them.
I tried to give Kaley a little lesson in choosing the ripest and hopefully sweetest apples to pick but it really boiled down to the ones that she saw first and could reach. It didn’t take long to have 8 lbs of apples and I tried to slow her picking frenzy. I knew that there was no way we would be able to use any more. She would have kept on picking all day long.
The only nuisance to our day was the insects. Because of all the apples that had fallen to the ground there were many bees, yellow jackets and other insects buzzing around as the kids tripped over the apples. Thankfully no one was stung.
So with 8.5 lb of fresh picked red delicious apples - and what I hoped would be some good pictures - I headed home. Kaley fell asleep in the van immediately but Connor stayed awake the whole way. In fact, he never did take a nap that day. He must have been on an apple-sugar high.
I had been thinking of visiting a “pick your own” apple orchard for a long time. A little research online convinced me that Stribling Apple Orchard would be the best choice. They had apples, farm animals, a country store and pumpkins, all points of interest to Kaley and Connor. The farm itself is a historic site, the buildings being originally constructed in the 1700’s. The first lease of this property was granted to William Marshall, uncle of Chief Justice John Marshall, in 1765. I found the history fascinating. You can read more about it at History of Stribling Orchard
It took us one hour to drive from Woodbridge to Markham, VA just off of I-66 where the orchard is located. When we arrived the farm workers were dumping buckets of fallen apples into the animal yards to lure them from the barn. Kaley and Connor were very excited to see the huge momma pig, cows, sheep, horses and donkeys. One friendly donkey stood near the fence and let them pet his side.
Our friends Kirstin and Charles Henry Falk were delayed exiting the DC area and so they arrive about an hour after we did. I took my time making sure the kids had a potty break and were thoroughly covered with sunscreen. We ate an early lunch and bought some apple butter. Kaley kept asking me “Can we pick apples now???” When Kirstin and Charles Henry, arrived Kaley could hardly hold herself back. She ran around dragging the plastic apple bag, begging to get started picking.
It seemed nuts to push the double stroller through the orchard grass, especially given that it was quite hilly. However, I finally decided it might be necessary to have the stroller along for transporting apples and children.
The farm gave us an apple picking tool on a long pole but as it turned out we didn’t need it because there were so many apples close to the ground.
Connor spent the whole event with an apple in each hand taking alternating bites from each. I tried desperately to clean the apples before he munched down on them, but after taking a few bites he would add his apples to the bag and pick two more. At the end of the day I had fun sorting out the apples that had bites taken from them.
I tried to give Kaley a little lesson in choosing the ripest and hopefully sweetest apples to pick but it really boiled down to the ones that she saw first and could reach. It didn’t take long to have 8 lbs of apples and I tried to slow her picking frenzy. I knew that there was no way we would be able to use any more. She would have kept on picking all day long.
The only nuisance to our day was the insects. Because of all the apples that had fallen to the ground there were many bees, yellow jackets and other insects buzzing around as the kids tripped over the apples. Thankfully no one was stung.
So with 8.5 lb of fresh picked red delicious apples - and what I hoped would be some good pictures - I headed home. Kaley fell asleep in the van immediately but Connor stayed awake the whole way. In fact, he never did take a nap that day. He must have been on an apple-sugar high.
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