Emma learns about Art

Yesterday was another learning day for Miss Emma and her very knowledgeable Poppa. They set out to create a masterpiece for Diva's refrigerator (which has never featured a young budding grandchild artist before!) Poppa decided that she was into Contemporary or post modern art with a definite flair for the abstract . She worked very hard and was most diligent with her choice of colors. (This Diva can hardly wait to take her to the Crayola Factory when she gets a little bigger.) Mom and Dad took a field trip into Harrisonburg and Waynesboro using Poppa's GPS. They really enjoyed being able to get around so quickly by punching in Sonic, Walmart and Target. The GPS certainly has made our life easier. Diva has plenty of pictures to choose from. Now all I need is a magnetic frame to show it off. More fun today. We ate all our berries before we could make our pies so looks like it's back to berry batch for us today.

Emma Learns about the Wind

Poppa and Emma were sitting on our porch swing this afternoon discussing politics and world affairs when sudden showers appeared making the temperature drop and the wind pick up.

Using every moment for a teachable moment, Poppa decided to teach Emma about wind by letting her feel the wind blow and watching Diva's ribbons dance in the wind.

The discussion was rather one sided but went a little bit like this:

Poppa: Emma did you know that wind is the fastest growing source of electricity in the world?

Emma with soother in her mouth says nothing but reaches out for the pretty ribbons beginning to dance in the breeze.

Poppa: Some experts say it can sometimes be the cheapest form of any kind of power. Generating power from the wind leaves no dangerous waste products behind. Best of all, its supply is unlimited.

Emma with her finger in her mouth begins to contemplate the validity of this statement while Poppa explains further.


What followed was a discourse on wind farms, the jet stream, global wind patterns, plus land and sea breezes. The discussion was possibly more than one little explorer could handle, so of course she ran to her Diva and instantly fell asleep. Some how I think I got the best part of the day. I got to kiss her little head, hold her close and whisper prayers over her while she slept. It amazes me that she seems to be growing right in front of us. I miss my baby but I'm enjoying this bright inquisitive little person.

A Berry Sweet Day

We went strawberry picking today. The fields were very crowded this morning and the sign said they were picked out. We were disappointed but decided to head to the Farmer's Market in Dayton instead. This was the cutest thing at the Farmer's Market.




We ate lunch at the Thomas House which features Mennonite Cooking. The food was good as always and their rose bush was bursting with color. I tried to get Emma to sit down by the rose bush but she would have none of it. Lucky for me Mom sat down and held her so I could catch this picture of my girls. Aren't they both gorgeous? Not that I'm at all biased!



We decided to stop by the strawberry field on the way home and buy some berries. This time they were open and we were ready to pick. Emma and I examined all the rocks in the parking lot before sitting under a big shade tree to eat grapes and swap stories. Mom and Dad made short work of picking. It was so much fun watching Emma discover Strawberries.

Hmmm....What are these?

I think I'll take a closer look!

Maybe I'll just poke one.

I'll just try one!

The many faces of berry addiction!

Needless to say Virginia grown Strawberries are delicious and picking them from the field is half the fun. Emma decided Dad needed some help picking so she went out to help. All in all it was a berry sweet day....now to find some strawberry recipes. I'll post pictures of our creations tomorrow.

It amazes me how much Emma can communicate without very many words. She said the word, "Birdy" while watching the birds eat at the feeders and points to the cats and says "kitty". When this girl gets her words I'm sure she will have many stories to tell. Sure wish I had half her energy!

Mr. Wonderful and I have to work till noon tomorrow so we will have to have an afternoon adventure. Stayed tuned.

The Wading Girl

Here's the Divine Miss Em wiggling and dancing in the new wading pool in the back yard. Mom bought her this swimming hat, shirt, and skirt all on sale at Target. The water was very cold but our girl danced and waded to her heart's content.

Hopefully the sun will warm up the water tomorrow for another wading session. If not Poppa and Dad hung the baby swing from one of our cherry trees for her enjoyment.

I'm sure there will be more pictures coming and Mom even took a video of the splash party. We had strawberry pancakes for supper and I've got a recipe for strawberry pie from my mom that you know we will have to fix.

More adventures will have to wait till Saturday afternoon as Mr. Wonderful and I are working with volunteers Saturday morning.

I did notice Mr. Wonderful reading the story of the little "Red Hen" to Emma before dinner. Of course he added suggestions on how the little red hen should have diversified her efforts , obtained a small business loan, and employed her friends to help make a marketable product thus adding to the economy and multiplying profits. What a guy!