Maycie's first day of preschool

We're back at Assurance preschool again.

Maycie jumped right in without a second glance. I was surprised because Maycie is my home body. Nearly every time I dropped her off at school last year she had a fit. She must be growing up. Alex, on the other hand, did have a fit. He soooo wanted to stay and play with the toys and go out on the playground. So sad. It will be his turn some day.

A Bushel and a Peck

"I love you, a bushel and a peck."

I've probably sang that song to my kids a hundred times and I never knew what a bushel and a peck were. Thanks to apple picking at Sky Top Orchard, now I know.

A bushel (or half bushel) is the larger basket. A peck is the smaller basket.

We love the experience of picking our own fruit. The kids delight in the experience and seem to enjoy the fruits of their labors (no pun intended) all the more.




Alex carrying a peck sized basket.

We ate some apples as well as fresh, hot off the grease, apple doughnuts.

We liked the honey crisp apples the best.

The kids loved the orchard playground.

We had a brief traumatic experience in the end. While the kids were happily playing and Rob and I relaxing the warm mountain air, the owner of the orchard came around asking if anyone was missing a daughter about 10 or 12 with blond hair. I, of course, would never be that irresponsible and knew exactly where my children were (I thought). Not to mention, I don't have children even near to 10 or 12, nor are they blond. It wasn't until about 20 minutes later when Addie hadn't emerged for a while that I thought the blond 10 or 12 year old might be my daughter. Sure enough, Addie was tearily waiting for us at the cash register. Don't ever ask that man to be a witness at a trial. His facts were all wrong.

THE END.

Girl's weekend in Asheville

Great girl friends and good food - my kind of weekend. We girls love to use any excuse to have night away. This time (and as usual) it was women's conference in Asheville where we got to listen to Sister Beck (General Relief Society President) speak.

Of course we have to begin with food - one of my favorites: Cafe Mia's with delicious paninis and gelato. MMMMM!

The girls.

From left to right: Kristin Smith, me, Shelly Shackelford, Mindy Wheatley, Alison Bergstrom, Iris Whitlock (and Sandy Abbott taking the picture).

Sandy, Kristin, Iris and me.

Asheville is quite the hippie town. Every evening they have what's called a drum circle, where people all ages, shapes and sizes bring their drums and jam. Crazy energy and a little weird.

After the drum circle Sandy, Kristin and I talked to some guy about being Mormon. He had never met Mormon women before. We were able to clear up a few false conceptions.

Late night snack. Famous sweet potato pancakes at Tupolo Honey. It's never to late (or early) for breakfast.

And I prove I've still got it. Nice camera timing, Sandy.

Those sweet potato pancakes must have had a little something extra in them - or maybe I really needed a weekend away - just releasing some crazy energy.

My North Carolina sisters.

Sandy, Kristin and I at the conference.

Sister Beck was amazing. She is truly a spiritual giant. Rather than give a speech, she opened the conference up for questions and spoke according to what people had to ask. We came home spiritual and emotional uplifted. Ready to be mom and wife again.