8 HOURS ALONE WITH A 4-YEAR-OLD

It's not often (if ever) that I'm asked to spend a full day with a little one.  But the rest of the family wanted to go WHITE-WATER RAFTING on the NEW RIVER in W. Virginia one of the days during our "FAMILY VACATION".   

So, I'm sharing "A DAY IN MY LIFE - ALONE WITH A 4-YEAR-OLD", Precious Angel HAZEL (my grand-niece)".  Is she adorable or what?!

1. First - a stop at the NEW RIVER GORGE VISITORS CENTER - we couldn't resist a little play time with puppets

2. Fayetteville, W. Virginia LIBRARY (closed for the Holiday - "W VA Day" - who knew?)

3. A stop at the ICE CREAM PARLOR for a scoop of "cotton candy ice cream"

4. Back to the house with a TUMMY ACHE.........

5. A little TV TIME on the couch - all better now

6. Out to a restaurant for lunch - grilled cheese arrived, but how was I supposed to know that HAZEL DOESN'T LIKE "WHITE CHEESE"? She DID eat the apple slices......

7. GROCERY STORE stop for a few forgotten essentials

8. Back to the house - HAZEL filled the refrigerator with water bottles 

9. A little TV TIME

10. "I'M HUNGRY" - her requested chocolate chip granola bar and 1/2 bagel with cream cheese does the trick

11. ONE MORE HOUR till mom and dad return from white-water rafting

12. Fixed HAZEL the other 1/2 of the bagel with cream cheese....... 

13. HAZEL and AUNT JOAN had "A WONDERFUL DAY" (in Hazel's words) - and I agree!!

It was an all around terrific family weekend.  Fun was had by each and every one of us.

JOAN

WANDERING AROUND GETTYSBURG, PA

I've never seen the GETTYSBURG BATTLEFIELDS, so I wandered the countryside in my air-conditioned car, during the mid-day heat and direct overhead sun on Saturday, as a break during the BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL (see previous post).

During the AMERICAN CIVIL WAR (July 1-3, 1863) an historic battle was fought in and around GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA. More casualties occurred during this battle than in the whole Civil War. It made my heart heavy to realize the devastation that took place on these grounds. I don't understand why we can't all just "get along" and abolish "war".  Seriously.

A good friend of mine has promised to give me a detailed, historical tour one day, which I really look forward to.

The countryside is so beautiful around GETTYSBURG.  And as you can see, many people hike and backpack.  I also saw several groups of "SCOUTS" learning some history.

Every year on the same weekend as the BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL is the GETTYSBURG OUTDOOR ANTIQUE SHOW. This was their 48th year. It takes place all along the streets and it's VERY well attended. I still have one framed picture in my house from this event, that I attended back in the 1980's, when I was living in Lancaster County.

In my wanderings, I also found GETTYSBURG COLLEGE and drove through the campus.  How pretty!  It was their COMMENCEMENT WEEKEND, so the town was bustling from 3 major events.

The town of GETTYSBURG is quaint and looks as interesting as LITITZ (2 Blog Posts ago).

I think I need to plan some time to go back and stroll the streets, check out the shops and take that long overdue tour of the battlefields.

JOAN

GETTYSBURG BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL - A FAMILY TRADITION

An annual family "camping" weekend at the GETTYSBURG BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL in May has become a FAMILY TRADITION. The whole family camps outdoors, while my sisters and I stay at "CAMP HAMPTON INN". My brother-in-law, an avid hiker/camper, has shared his love and knowledge with his children and grandchildren. It's amazing to watch them all work as a team to cook meals over the fire, chop wood and tend to the campsite. I've never been there for set-up or tear-down, but I'm told it's seamless at this point.

Even 4-YEAR-OLD HAZEL helped by scrubbing the pots.

The campgrounds are always FILLED with R-V's and campers.

The FESTIVAL attracts plenty of BLUEGRASS fans who enjoy a relaxing few days and evenings of music and good times.

The following 2 VERY SHORT VIDEOS I took are a sample of the terrific music we listened to over the weekend.  This is BALSAM RANGE - 2014 IBMA ENTERTAINER and VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR! 

I bet you can't listen to them without tapping your feet.......


VIDEO 1 - BALSAM RANGE

VIDEO 2 - BALSAM RANGE


FOOD VENDORS are plentiful and playful.

The "kids" enjoy playing in the sand with other kids, so our seats (including kid-sized chairs) are always right next to it - thanks to my brother-in-law arriving early for set-up.

The kids all LOVE to get their faces painted, so I snuck away and got a "Bumble Bee Tattoo" on my arm to get them excited.  A plug for the "ARTIST", Angela Hill-Shinsky - "YOU and IMPROVED BODY ARTS".  If you're close to Gettysburg, you can hire her for an event.   

When I returned to the seats, they all wanted to get their "FACES PAINTED NOW"!!  I was amazed at their patience, with the youngest (4) choosing to be last as she watched the other two sit still for the airbrushing.

SADIE (7 in July)

DEREK (7) - BEFORE

DEREK - AFTER

HAZEL (4) - BEFORE 
(Smile Hazel.......)

HAZEL - AFTER

It's was dreadfully hot on Saturday and there is no cover, so I decided to take a drive mid-day in and around HISTORIC GETTYSBURG, which I will share with you in my NEXT BLOG POST.

After the brief rain during dinner it cooled off quite a bit and we walked back to the stage area to enjoy everyone's favorite Bluegrass Artist, RHONDA VINCENT. I hope you'll take a moment to listen to this brief video of her and her band mates and tap your feet some more.  They are amazing!


VIDEO 3 - RHONDA VINCENT


Some photos from Friday evening - my niece SHELBY with her daughter NORA (10) and also my niece LESLIE, husband BRADY and their daughter SADIE.

Another GREAT FAMILY VACATION!! There's nothing like FAMILY TRADITIONS........

JOAN