Toddler Insight

Being pale people, we don't frequent the pool or the beach or anything of that sort. This became apparent when Virginia reacted to seeing folks swimming at the creek.

For those of you that need translation:

Me: Where are we going?
V: Creek
Me: And what are people doing down there?
V: Nekkid
Me (embarassed): No, they're swimming!

'Nuff said. Now the question is: Do we need to get out more? Or do people need to wear less revealing swimsuits at the creek?

More Mississippi Activities

Just so you don't think mosquitoes and heat waves are all you have to look forward to in Mississippi, I thought I'd share with you some of the "fun" activities V enjoyed while visiting the Deep South.

There's the age old tradition of running up and down the hall of the cabin (and if you're lucky, not slamming your finger in the screen door):

Learning to slide without help (and receiving what some might call unmerited and over enthusiastic praise from your mother-ha!):

And of course, near drowning at the creek (she really was OK but didn't seem to want to go down the slide again for some reason):

Don't you wish life was always this fun?

Here are the aforementioned photos from V & E's trip to what some call the promised land- Pike County, Mississippi. Land of my father's ancestors, home of Felder's Methodist Campmeeting since 1843 and the place where I and all my family members will be buried- Pike County ain't nothing like Raleigh. I love it.

To outsiders, especially dear T, the mosquitoes, horrendous humidity and filth of campmeeting aren't as appealing. However, V has Felder blood running though her and fit right in; eating her weight in tomatoes and biscuits, splashing in Topisaw Creek as if it wasn't frigid and allowing her distant cousins to carry her around like a living baby doll. We had a blast.

Air conditioning = GOOD

V & I survived 5 days with no air conditioning in Southwest Mississippi. She could have cared less about the heat. Her mother was more agitated. More pictures to follow, but for now I'll give you a sneak peak of how she stayed cool in 90+ degree weather with 90+ percent humidity.

Summer down now...

Mama E's been in Neverland at NC Theatre, Daddy T took V on their first solo trip (sans Mama) to visit the grandparents in Virginia and now Mama and V are off to Mississippi for the annual family reunion and campmeeting. Stay tuned for updates when life calms down a bit. In the meantime, stare at V's "cheese face" and become hypnotized by her cuteness. Ta ta for now!

Rachael Ray has nothing on V...

V's latest obsession (despite her mother's efforts to discourage her from potential gender-defining activities) is COOKING...she wants to make something almost every afternoon. By cooking she means grabbing stuff and throwing it around and making a big mess. Here are a few pics from a cookie making afternoon a few days ago:

First we mix the flour and dry ingredients together:

Then V "helps" with the sugar and butter:

Finally, she samples the chocolate chips:

Thanks to her father she now has her own mini pots and pans set. Don't anyone dare think of buying her an apron or a mini vacuum cleaner. I have to draw a line somewhere, right?

4th of July Weekend

The Bruces had the best 4th of July weekend ever in Historic Old Town Alexandria with dear friends the Coynes. V is very much in love with 2 year old James Coyne and showed it by squealing loudly at regular intervals while playing with him.

We watched smoke-obscured fireworks over the Pentagon, ate way too much food and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. If I can sum it up in a few words it was a weekend of:

-unlimited snacking
-calf strengthening (the Coynes live in a 4-story town home- yes 4)
-not enough sleep

So basically, perfect.

To make it even better we managed to squeeze in a trip to IKEA and to the grandparents' house on the way home.

Happy Anniversary Grandma & Pawpaw! In honor of their 36th anniversary Ann made a HUGE spread of food and despite heavy rain we had a great cookout in the carport and V charmed Grandma, Pawpaw and Great Grandma with her singing talents, jumping skills and vegetable picking abilities. :)

On the road...

V on her way to historic Old Town Alexandria to visit the Coynes- Friday, July 4


V on her way HOME from Alexandria, Sunday, July 6

Very little sleep was had in between. More on that later...

Soooo talented

Even though I technically have nothing to do with anything really "artsy" at the theatre where I work, over the last 3 years I think I have acquired a keen sense of who is talented and who is not. V is, OF COURSE, extremely talented.

Here are a few videos of her favorite songs:

THREE BLIND MICE

SESAME STREET THEME SONG

and of course, the CHEESE SONG.

Stay tuned for Bette Middler's Wind Beneath My Wings.