JWalking: The Blog

I know what you're thinking: Is this a new blog post or did you just edit the last one? No, it's new. It just so happens that we went back to the Children's Museum tonight and I'm blogging about it. What delight to find out that museum night was to be on the same day as our visit to....the dentist! RJ2 has known about this dental appointment for months. Let me remind you, she does not like going to the dentist! Dr. Chris is one of the most understanding dentists. A real put-you-at-ease kind of guy, while, at the same time, delivering the bad news. RJ2 really doesn't dislike Dr. Chris. But the thought of having someone else brush her teeth with that horrid rubber toothbrush is just too much to bear (which is why she had full sedation at her last visit). So, RJ2 has been preparing for this visit. She's been reading all the books, reciting all the lines, chatting with friends over lunch at school about their dental visits and, basically, just psyching herself up.

I t's not often we get to attend an inaugural event. Tonight was such a night. The Children's Museum of Richmond hosted a "Special Night for Children with Special Needs." The museum opened its doors for two hours and hosted some kids who might have difficulty going to the museum during regular hours...like us! We weren't sure RJ2 was going to walk in the doors. She has a really tough time entering unfamiliar places. We browsed lots of cool pictures of the museum's exhibits online at home, but you never would have guessed that as we approached the doors. We waited patiently and stared into the big glass-paned windows. Then, a museum employee came out to see us. "Miss Megan" could tell we were having difficulty. She brought a big smile and said, "Hello!" which immediately cheered up RJ2 and got her talking. (She also brought a "social story" about having fun at the Children's Museum!) "Miss Megan" did her best, but RJ2

W ith summer being so hot this year, it was difficult to think about planning short-term excursions anywhere. Sure, we did the long trek in August. It's tradition! But we didn't make many day-long picnic/hike/park outings locally. We're making up for that as the Fall season is just getting started. A week after we hiked Zoar State Forest, we took a short drive to downtown Richmond and visited one of our favorite river stops--Belle Isle. Belle Isle is right on the James River. You take a wonderful pedestrian bridge to reach it. (That's Route 1 above.) It provides for spectacular open views and gives photographers a nice perch for those great cityscape shots they put in the tourism brochures. (It was worth hanging out on the bridge for a few minutes to wait for the train. Never-say-die PR person....) There are some days when the James is mighty frothy and kayaks are aplenty. The drought has calmed things down considerably. But, the people definitely came out to enjoy a wa

W e went on a hike through Zoar State Forest yesterday. Enjoyed beautiful blues skies, a mixture of trees and sweet-singing birds. The recent drought hasn't helped the marshy environments within the forest, but perhaps last night's rain will provide some small relief. Looking forward to going back in a month to note changing leaf color. Plus, there are two nature trails near rivers still to be explored. Such a swell find. A gem in the "backyard," if you will....

O ne, clearly ready for the challenge of middle school. Yea, CJ! The other? Well.... It's OK, RJ2. Actually, by the time she was dropped off at school, she was leaping for joy out of the car and dancing her way into the building. Go figure! Yes...They're off!

T omorrow marks the official end of summer. OK, well, summer is not officially over , technically. You will still find several days before we get to Autumn on the calendar. But, you know, it's Labor Day and school starts on Tuesday [finally!]. So, since there's one more day to go, what a better time to check out the end-of-summer vacation pics! We spent a really amazing afternoon at The Discovery Museum of Acton, MA--Massachusetts being the first state stop on "Cousin Tour 2010." RJ2 is sitting in front of a roadway on which the kids can ride bikes and trikes, or set up play road signs. We enjoyed a picnic lunch and some time in a very large sandbox before heading inside Part #1, the Children's Museum. This is part of the museum's water display room--this exhibit, explaining how water travels down a river. A recirculating pump that the kids can control sends the water back up to the top. Plenty of duckies! RJ2 and cousin, H, had a great time. I just love

H appy August! August marks a shift in the schedule of the past three weeks. Although there has been much to celebrate and enjoy, we could all really use a change of pace! Who's that girl? CJ just had the wrap-up party for three weeks of theatre camp. (Yes, they use the British spelling. It is the theatrrrrrrr, after all!) The afternoon camp included sessions on make up, costuming, the psychology of color, stage combat, improv, commercial scripting and production, headshot photography, and music (and other things I've probably forgotten that CJ will probably mention on her blog). Last Friday night at the camp Showcase, CJ demonstrated her stage combat skills in the recreation of an historical battle scene. The young warrior is the first to take her position on stage. The battle begins. A duel--and dual--hit! And CJ becomes the battle's first casualty, leaving her duel partner blinded, but still able to participate. (Apparently, she dies the following day. Fortunately, this