First solo bike ride

Self-propelled though not necessarily self-stopping... we took to the sidewalk at home before venturing further afield to Chimborazo Park, with skate boards and balance bikes for the rest of the crew.

Check out the footage and dappled sunshine.

Cycling out...

Cycling back...

NB: J's warning cry should be translated as, "Watch out for the squirrel!"

First rock climb

In a weekend of firsts, this is possibly the most dramatic... on a mobile plastic rock face, a father and daughter scale 30 feet above the relaxing crowds at the Strawberry Street Festival. Due to lack of body mass, the abseiling child remained suspended until the mountain rescue team could reach her - dangling helplessly with grubby pants on show.

For the American audience:
abseiling = repelling
pants are not trousers!

Photo credits: Neighbour Ameigh

First ballet show c/o Pilates, Dance and more...

... and so it begins - a little bit of sparkle in your hair, a little bit of sequin on your costume and a little bit of grace in your step! M's first ballet performance was magic.

We were told the story of dance as it merged across the globe and got little demos from pupils of all shapes and skills and ranging in age from 4 to 60 (!) - and including the remarkable male teacher. For those as besotted us, there is video taken by a fellow audience member and thankfully missing their feet.

Post performance cake - the perfect reward.

First ballet show

City of Murals, RVA

So it's not the 80s, though I was beginning to wonder... however these murals are good and the city lets them be everywhere. Not really subversive or contentious but great looking and identity-making. In a city where 'Occupy' were moved on and resettled in the mayor's neighbour's yard - it's fun to see a splash of creative freedom  on the city streets and canal sides...

We have to wait another two years for the return of the RVA Street Art Festival that bought many of these to town.

PS: Spot the ballerina and her great aunt...

 

Democratic Campaign Trail - Day 1, Siegal Centre, Richmond

No going back, only FORWARD...
Four more years, Four more years!
OBAMA BIDEN
Virginia's got your back
We are all fired up!!

Obama is fit, Michelle is genuine and the atmosphere was electric. We prayed with the Mayor, pledged allegiance with the Boy Scouts and got goose bumps from the Star Spangled sung in awesome harmony. Go Bama - we love you!

In true bipartisan spirit the Republican neighbours babysat the kids and got them doing opposition sidewalk art.

PS: Plus P queued for 4 hours to get our spot amongst the 8,000 Virginians.

Pocahontas State Park

We embraced the great American wilderness with a sunlit stroll in the complete peace of Pocahontas State Park. Beaver Lake was still and murky. Our shady picnic bench was opposite a family of turtles - a tiny baby, who kept slipping off its perch, a teenager who moved on swiftly and some very laid back big guys.

The flowering pink and white laurels were out, the swings were heating up nicely as the temperatures rose (32C) and a satisfied great blue heron was attempting to consume its caught lunch. Just us, a Menonite group and the odd old boy and his boat - bliss.

For those twitterers we know, we spotted:
- eastern king bird
- mystery, small, pale grey crested bird
- vultures en route...

Whilst in the backyard we've identified:
- cardinal
- flicker
- cat bird
- house finch
- robin

Garden Explorations, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

Jim Jam joined Lewis Ginter's absolutely sweet children's garden artist for her new Explorations programme. The only child 'mine age' she noted with sadness, before a magical one-to-one of story-time under a tree, authorised water butt usage and some gentle sponge sprinkling... then some compost bin excavation, bio-degradable plant pot construction and the planting a precious nasturtium seed.

Careful avoidance of high salicylate options meant we sampled some tiny celery thing and some impressive carrots. Ours are not ready for the harvest yet.

Garden Explorations