Petals from the Past

Grandma and Pop came up for a visit and we decided to go pick some berries in Jemison.

What’s nice is that you can eat some of the berries while you’re out picking them. I’m not sure exactly how many you’re allowed to have before you get in trouble but if Luke ever takes a liking to blackberries we’ll find out.

Gwynn did a better job of picking out the goods than Luke did.

Luke sure liked to run back and forth even if most of his berries weren’t ripe yet.

Pop trying to explain which berries were ripe and which weren’t.

Inspecting blueberries.

“Is this one good?

Grandma spent berry picking time hanging out on the deck.

Those are supposed to be blackberries, so they’re very under ripe.

Gwynn running around farm equipment. You know, nothing unusual.

Luke reaching for nowherenear ripe blackberries.

In the midst of stuffing her face with a berry.

Lily pads for sale. Frogs not included.

“Is there something on my face? I feel like there’s something on my face.”

Luke making a run for it.

Luke got a lot of exercise at the farm.

National Doughnut Day!

Today was national doughnut day so we made a trip to Krispy Kreme to “celebrate”. Last year went to Dunkin Donuts too, but they require you to buy something in order to get a “free” doughnut.  Boo Dunkin Donuts.

Gwynn was very excited.

This should be on their promotional materials.

Luke made a bit of a mess.

Maybe plain would have been a better idea.

Gwynn handles the sprinkles like a pro.

Train Ride

The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum is located in Calera and boasts several full scale locomotives and train cars. They do several special events each year. It’s pretty pricey (about $20 per person) but today it was free.

All you had to do was listen to a short presentation about railroad safety.

Here the kids are listening to why it’s a bad idea to race trains. Pretty educational stuff. We also learned that water is wet.

Luke with a mouthful of cookies. Or throwing up. I’m not sure.

Boarding the train. Shockingly there was a long line for a free train ride.

Luke checking out the scenery. There wasn’t all that much to see.

Gwynn smiling. I think.

We had a great time…hopefully we’ll get to go back to ride the Polar Express around Christmas!

Dance!

We signed Gwynn up for dance classes for the summer. It’s her first time doing any kind of activity like this.

She sure looks cute in the leotard.

Once class began she cried and cried. She wasn’t the only one. One girl wouldn’t even go in the room. Here she sits with one of the teachers whose job it must be to corral the kids who don’t want to participate.

During story time she walked over to participate.

She didn’t last too long though.

When her teacher handed out some piggies to play with she got back into it.

Doing a better job participating.

Contemplating making a run for it.

She enjoyed when they played with the beach ball. At least a little.

Tossing the ball to the teacher.

Luke checking out the dancers.

“Hey man, you mind if I ask out your daughter?”

Some tears after class. They didn’t last long though. Next time should be better.

The Beach…kind of

Gwynn has been asking to go to the beach but since we’re not going to a real beach for a couple of weeks we decided to head to Oak Mountain State Park’s beach to tide her over. Get it? “Tide”.

Luke’s favorite thing to do was put sand in the watering can.

Daddy building a sandcastle.

The “beach” includes a curb as part of the shore. I’m pretty sure its manmade.

The beauty of nature.

All in all it was fun. For $6 you can’t beat it.