Anna Grows

Happy Easter! Anna received a special treat for Easter this year.....a visit from Bonnie!  The other part of the treat was that Aunt Mary and James came too (well somebody needed to drive Bonnie....despite what the  golden retrievers driving in the Suburu commercial may lead you to believe).    Anna was thrilled for the visit. Bonnie was also excited to be on vacation in Virginia.  Anna showed her off to her neighborhood friends and had a great time playing ball and taking her for walks with James. Anna had a girl scout event on Saturday afternoon to learn archery, so Joe took Aunt Mary and James for a Civil War battlefield tour, including Manassas battlefield.  The weather was beautiful for all of the outdoor activities. There were many other exciting moments from the weekend, including: Aunt Mary arriving with Easter Bread (Joe was very excited about that) James skateboarding with Bonnie (you needed to see that one) James and Anna color...

Pocahontas, Betsy Ross, and Sacajawea Fourth grade in Virginia schools means Virginia History.  Anna is learning all about the establishment of Virginia, including the settlement at Jamestown, Native Americans, and of course famous Virginians like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.  She is also learning a lot about colonial life, thanks to her project for colonial day. Colonial Day was held on March 17 and is the grand finale of several projects the students work on throughout the year.  Each of the 4th graders had to do a book report on a famous colonial American and learn how to do a colonial trade.  They then put together a display board for their project, dress up as their famous colonial American, and present their project at the "fair" to the rest of the school and parents.  Anna chose Betsy Ross and her trade was "Limning," which she learned was painting.  She focused on sign painting for shops. This all sounds like a fun, educational pr...

Mary Lou & Grandma enjoying Greek Food It is sewing badge time!  Thanks to Grandma and her friend Mary Lou, Anna's girl scout troop was able to earn their sewing badge.  Grandma and Mary Lou made a special trip out to lead the effort.  As a side benefit, they got to go to the Philadelphia flower show the next day. Leading 10 girls for a sewing project that involves the use of a sewing machine is not for the faint of heart.  Grandma and Mary Lou came up with a project that involved sewing a button and a straight stitch on the sewing machine.  The end result was a kitchen towel that you can hang over a handle.  Theresa secured a couple of sewing machines from the neighbor and Sofia's grandmother brought her old singer sewing machine along, for a total of three machines. Sewing with the Girl Scouts The first challenge was getting the two newer machines to work.  Fortunately Grandma and Mary Lou spent a couple of hours the day before workin...