#100HappyDays :: Day 62

A day spent at the worlds largest music festival, 

had something for everyone.

food, drink, kids activities, shopping, contests, but most of all stages upon stages of music.

One of our favorite bands played on one of the free stages.   Sidney who is a music fiend enjoyed them and is eager to download their new album.  

Bringing full circle a band that I last saw at both a pub in England and then took B to see at home 22 years ago, the summer we met.  Incidentally Toad the Wet Sprocket last performed at Summerfest 21 years ago.

Priceless.

#100HappyDays :: Day 17

As we are traveling, I am posting day 17 a day late.  Friday was a relaxed day spent shopping, hanging at my brothers home in New Jersey and barbecuing.  Due to circumstance happy or sad, the cousins have gotten to see each other on a fairly regular basis over the last twelve months.  We hope to keep up the trend of visits going to allow their connections to grow.  Seeing them get to spend time and strengthen their bonds makes my heart smile.

Driving Lessons

I had grand plans of a blog post about our four-wheeling adventures.  I had taken a number of great shots with B and me and the kids, but then it happened;  Mom mentioned that B had been driving a tractor by the time he was Sidney's age, and that was it!  The kids were all over learning to drive the four-wheelers.

 
As with many things, the kids have different approaches to how they attempt new things.  Sidney was confident yet cautious...at the start, and took instructions well.

Charles, had the pedal to the medal before the instructions were fully out of B's mouth.

But we did find early on, that he isn't quite tall enough to negotiate the gas and steering wheel at the same time.  Ultimately, he steered and the adult was in charge of the gas pedal.

Then their confidence soared when it was Aunt sissy's turn to be driven around!

It's great to be able to show off all of your tricks, especially if it involves making your passenger squeal :)

All in all, a great lesson.  Oh, and mom and dad did get a chance to go out and have fun too.

I am so glad that the kids enjoyed this so much, because I now know a couple of kids who will be put in charge of mowing with the tractor next summer!

Party Like It's 1599

One of our families favorite summer traditions is to go to the Renaissance Faire.  We started going when Sidney was six and would like to go every year, but it seems that we are on an every other year pattern.  This year's timing worked out for us perfectly.  We had long ago set plans to meet up with some friends for the day, and we all excitedly counted down.  Of course in our record dry summer (though we have had some periodic relief in the last month), the one day we pick to go was forecast to have scattered showers most of the day.  It did not disappoint!  The rain was more on again than off again, with perfect timing beginning as we strolled through the gate.  But it was warm, a steady light rain, and a lot of good natured people who were all are there for love of the event, so spirit's were high!  There is always plenty of great food and drink, attractions, shows, revelry and livery.  Since I have spent most of the summer reading historical fiction novels set in the 16th century, It was the perfect cap to my summer. So whether it was watching the joust with the Queen,

 

Cheering on the Fire Whip,

 

getting a lesson in Falconry,

enjoying a sassy court fool in the pouring rain,

kids of all ages in the 300 battle,

or dad trying out the Didgeridoo while sporting his daughter's new cape, 

the day was a memorable day,  partying like it was 1599!