Escape to the Shenandoah Valley

It's only Tuesday, and the Niemans are already trying to find our zen like:

Which can only function as a commentary on our school + work + kids + hectic life existence right now, because our weekend was nothing short of perfect.

Just ask Seth, I almost never do anything on a whim. Miraculously, though, on Friday night we were- as usual- totally beat; but- not as usual- with no plans on the horizon. So off to the mountains we went.

We found the literal last campsite available in the state (thank you, COVID), and proceeded to drink all the beer and catch all the bass in Virginia.

The kids continued to make us proud by identifying Confederate monuments as "statues to losers" and giving them two thumbs down.

Ford made friends at the Appalachian Trail Outfitters and turned everything into a shark boat (because, Jaws.)

And Finley talked me into the totally wild Fairview Fall Fun Farm, at which we discovered that corn mazes are horrible,

corn bins are germy but a kid's dream,

calf roping (even if completely fake) is an unmitigated disaster,

and giant slides can be overcome as a team.

Also, that nobody in the Shenanoah Valley wears masks. 

Ford actually asked me, "doesn't anyone here know about the coronavirus?!"

That whole scene gave us an excuse to flee to the family favorite Rappahannock Pizza Kitchen in Sperryville, a perennial Ana & Ata fave. 

They're never far from our thoughts, particularly this time of year, in their favorite place.

A Heck of a Week +, and Rhode Island

It's been a week +. Which involved swim school promotions (Finley was every bit as happy for Ford as he was for himself),

bike riding practice (my least favorite thing ever, howdidmyparentsdothis),

the discovery of both the blow dryer and the fabulous Green Spring Gardens,

apple picking and the reluctant ushering in of fall at my Mom's favorite orchard

(Homestead is the place that Seth first met my parents, who accepted him into the family immediately because he could reach the tallest apples),

and a lovely afternoon downtown paying our respects to RBG.

During which time F+F acted like this

and Ford cried because no one had ever had to march for his right to vote at the Women's Equality National Monument. Eyeroll. 

OK, so it's been more than a week since I sent an update. I just discovered photos of this ridiculous and amazing Dad "Homeschool" Day at Dave and Buster's,

this epic capture of the evening we happened upon a spontaneous street concert in downtown Falls Church,

and this photo, which is likely to be admitted into evidence one day, of F+F climbing on the Navy Memorial. Ford thought it would make an excellent Jaws boat. (Beat Navy!)

Also, Davy Crockett was played in the Potomac. 

Despite some truly awful days trying to juggle real-time work and these two, homeschooling with the hooligans is awesome.

Still when I got Friday off and Seth had class, we hit the road. And woke up in Connecticut in our new, Target-purchased-on-a-whim, tent.

We discovered Niantic (which has an acceptable shark boat at the children's museum), chased seagulls,

worked our way up the beach (including ice cream stops),

and eventually found ourselves at Rebecca's Narragansett beach house, the home of kid "cousins" and craft cocktails and a block's amble to the beach with both in tow.

It was worth every second of the drive to relax while the kids did this,

the girls let Ford introduce bloodthirsty sharks into Barbie games,

and Finley braved the cold water fully clothed.

On the way home, we made sure to stop at the fabulously named Ford’s Lobster in Noank. F+F both preferred the crab cakes.

I tried, Mamma Gran.

Our Rhode Island road trip was chicken soup for the soul. Of all the good ones, my favorite photo is this one of Finley- doing her typical model pose- and Ford (if you squint) gunning down Jaws in the left background.

EMBA Weekend Road Trips

The new schedule is taking some getting used to. One big adjustment is that Seth has class allllll day every other Friday and Saturday, and thanks to coronavirus-- it's all via zoom. Which means that these hooligans have to keep it down to a dull roar.

Luckily, we love a good road trip. I took Friday off, and we headed for the Land of the Pines. First stop: coolest place you've never heard of, Fort Monroe. Seriously, check out the history of that place, it's fascinating and we had a blast exploring.

We spent Friday night and Saturday at my friend Kati's (as with most Moms, she is referred to colloquially as "Dillon and Carter's Mom") parents' beautiful historic house in Hertford, on the Perquimans River.

F+F had a blast on the water with their friends,

Finley got to live out her dreams and board a houseboat,

and Ford fell in love with crabbing.

We made it back to good ol' Anderson Creek in time to catch Steph and Jack (and crew) and check out their beautiful new house,

celebrate Tony's fourth birthday pool party with the Ferenzi crew,

and stage an actual "coronation."

Complete with clip-on ties.

And of course, we got in a sleepover at the Ryans'. Where of course this happened.

Newly blue-and-purple-streaked hair (allegedly with temporary dye) notwithstanding, the kids loved every second and I remain grateful that- during this difficult and disorienting time- we can provide the kids with a little consistency and a lot of outdoor fun.

Plus (fave picture), nutella.

Even though, as per usual, our weekend adventure meant hitting Sunday traffic on I-95 North. 

Worth it.