Cloudy Day Softball and an Afternoon in the Village

Is it really August?  Cool and dreary weather for softball.

We woke up to gloomy weather on Saturday-- not exactly what we were hoping for our weekend.  Sam's softball tournament wasn't canceled since it technically wasn't raining (though it had all Friday evening), so he took Harper with him to the mid-morning games.  Boy was she excited to go somewhere without Willa, and with Daddy no less!

Since there is a playground at the field the early games were located, she wore her rain boots to guarantee she could play, even if it was muddy. Willa and I joined them for the afternoon and evening games.  The girls loved playing in the dirt.  Though many evenings they come home filthy, I try to tell myself that dirt is good for them.  Being outside is good for them.  I saw a quote on Facebook this weekend that said, "Life isn't meant to be lived indoors."  We are going to claim that.  Do it.  Breathe some fresh air.

It is good for their little souls to be outside with their family and friends, and even make some new ones.  Harper made friends with a middle-aged couple that brought their 10-month-old lab puppy to the game.  I was afraid she was bugging them, so I kept going over to check on her.  The lady kept mentioning how good Harper is with animals and how she was the first person their pup had been calm with all day.  She said, "Harper, you should be a vet when you grow up.  Is that what you want to be?"

Harper said, "No, I want to be a mommy."  I said, "Sweet girl, I hope you get to be a mommy, too, because there is nothing better.  But, the great thing is that you can be a vet and a mommy if you'd like."  I do agree with Ms. Susan.  She would make a great vet.

Sam's team ended up getting second place and finally finished playing around 11:15 p.m.  The girls and I made it to all but the last one.  It was a day well spent.

We had a great service at Fellowship Community Church Southwest this morning.  We welcomed a new Worship Leader, and Pastor Ken brought a unique perspective to the church's role in benevolence in his "Blueprint" series sermon. Next week will be our last week meeting at the Brambleton Rec Center, and we are so looking forward to meeting at Cave Spring Middle School in just a few weeks.  Hooray for being even closer!  This church has been such a blessing to our marriage, family, and lives, particularly since we became involved in a Life Group.  Our Kids' Life ministry has been celebrating themes each week of the summer and our girls have been pumped to participate.

Today was "Wear Orange" day.

And here are a few of the other special Sundays.

Princess & Superhero Day

Wear Blue Day

Pajama & Pancake Day

Harper outside FCCSW on Pajama & Pancake Day

After church, we took a little afternoon drive and ended up in Grandin Village.  Our lunch at the Village Grill was delish!  There were so many things on the menu that Sam and I wanted to try that we opted for an appetizer--a hummus platter with feta, roasted red peppers, and naan bread.  It was so good, and the girls even liked it, too.  Considering what a picky eater I have traditionally been, I am ah-mazed at what great and adventurous little eaters we have.  Both girls dug in to the appetizer and then begged for food off of our plate.

Here is Wills trying out (and loving) the roasted garlic tomato bisque.  Yumm-o.

 

We loved playing Roanoke Tourist for the afternoon.  When we finished with lunch, we walked across the street to a fenced in play area called Mr. Tarpley's (it is a private park named in his honor).  My oh my did those girls have fun in the miniature house and barn!  We were hoping that an hour of play would equal two hours of nap a little later. :)

    

The giant dog across the street lured us over to the Fire Department for a few minutes as well.

Roanoke really is an interesting little city.  Maybe one of these days we will give "city living" a try.  It would be really neat to have our family experience a more diverse, pedestrian lifestyle and there are a few super cute neighborhoods in Roanoke City that offer a fun urban feel.  And then I think of small closets, radiators, lead paint, no garage... and I reconsider a bit.