Bowman West

While the 'rents were here...

One of my favorite (and selfish) things about having grandparents visit is the opportunity for Andy and I to go on dates. We planned to go on a dinner & movie date before Thanksgiving, but because Andy's schedule had been so crazy and stressful I decided to surprise him with a weekend away at a bed & breakfast. I found a cool place just 20 miles from our house, packed up our stuff and told Andy that I would choose the restaurant and movie so all he had to do was show up. He was a little confused as we drove out of town, but since there are tons of cool little towns with fun places to go he still didn't suspect anything until we drove up to the B&B. He was totally surprised. I was also surprised that I kept it a secret. I'm that person who gives gifts early and lets everyone in on surprises. I'm pathetic that way. I just can't keep my mouth shut about exciting news! Anyway, we stayed at High Meadow Vineyard Inn and it was amazing. It was just the right amount of vintage and contemporary.


The colors on the house aren't actually this bright. That's just me messing with the contrast since it was a cloudy day.

We stayed in the Daffodil Room, which was amazing. There was an old claw foot tub just steps away from the fireplace. I could have stayed there all day had I not felt guilty making Andy sit and read in the parlor so I could enjoy my bath in peace. :) I really miss our jet tub in Lubbock!! The bed was really high and piled with down everything. Had it not been for the smell of breakfast in the mornings I would have slept till noon.

Since we visited one week after the official end of busy season (the leaves started falling) we basically had the place to ourselves. The owner showed us around and told us about the history of the house, which I promptly became obsessed with. I couldn't help but ask if they had any ghosts, and she said the only thing they've ever heard about is the spotting of children's hand prints on upstairs windows when it gets really cold. Awesome.

This mirror, now hanging in one of the parlors, hung behind Patrick Henry in Saint John's Church in Richmond when he gave his famous "Give me liberty or give me death" speech. That's so stinkin' cool!

We took a walk around the property and came across this cool stream-fed pond. I have much respect for the little rowboat, the U.S.S. Stone Cold.

One of the more random things about our stay at the B&B was our breakfast mates. When we said we were from Texas they nearly died. They are from Texas too -- Houston & Dallas. They went to Sam Houston State. Anyway, the husband works for a huge advertising firm in Richmond. They've done the newest Wal-Mart ads, the Geico caveman ads and the UPS whiteboard ads, among others. Here's a little trivia you didn't know: The long-haired guy in the UPS ads is actually an associate at the ad firm. They threw him in during the focus group testing as the groups liked him the best. I'll never be able to watch those commercials again without thinking of our B&B!

These are just some random pictures that I wanted to post. Charlie LOVED the Fall leaves, specifically the piles to play in.

Charlie loved touching this snake at the Science Museum of Virginia. I only got close enough to take this picture. Seriously, the volunteer in the reptile room was about 15 years old and this snake was slithering around at eye-level while my toddler was all over it. I'm just glad Charlie didn't get his face bitten off. That would have really put a damper on things.

In other news, Charlie continues to amaze me. He is the sweetest thing on earth when I'm not around. When I am around, which is most of the time, it's pretty much a toss-up. His temper can get out of control in 1.2 seconds. I know he gets this from me. Poor kid.

I have to confess that this non-spanking mom has gone over the edge and spanked several times in the last few months. Before Thanksgiving, as we were visiting my sister in Atlanta, we were driving through the city as Charlie screamed uncontrollably at the top of his lungs because I wouldn't let him listen to his CD. We were following my sister in her car, so I called her on her cell phone and told her to pull over at the next gas station so I could spank Charlie. "Seriously?" she said. "Yes, seriously!" I agreed to wait until we got to our next destination and when we did I taught Charlie the value of a bare-bottom spanking. When my sister asked my dad, who was riding in the front seat, if Charlie deserved it he assured her that he did. That's pretty bad when grandaddy backs up a spanking. Then we went into the store and Charlie proceeded to tell the clerk that he got a spanking because he was yelling. At least he got the message. I haven't spanked him since and I'm trying really hard to find better methods of discipline. In all honesty, since we've been back in town and it's just the three of us at home he's been much better.

Charlie's been potty training, and in keeping with the previously mentioned pattern, he does great when he's away from me. At home he just wets his pants and then whines about it. This evening as I picked a big ball of poop off the living room floor I couldn't help but think that at this time a year ago I was grading my university students' finals and papers and using my brain for things other than helping Charlie decide whether to wear the Thomas or Diego underwear. Such is the life of a mom!

Other randoms:

Charlie reminded me in the car today that it's Hanukkah. I asked him if he learned that at school. He said he learned it from Elmo. I asked, "The Elmo Christmas DVD?". "No, Elmo Holidays." Duh!

Charlie's completely infatuated with all things Jesus. He says he wants all the children to love Jesus. He also says that I'm Mary, he's Baby Jesus and Andy's Joseph. Even though I know for a fact that he did not arrive via virgin birth I go along with it because he's very into pretend play right now.