April Dawn Splash Ground--Milton, WV

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Oliver and Etta at April Dawn Park, Milton, WV

Waking up to 61 degrees and cloudy isn't usually the time to think about a trip to the splash grounds. It's a good thing my friend Ashley emailed me a couple days ago and asked Oliver and I to accompany them to Milton for an end of the summer season park visit. We were extremely glad we accepted her invitation as the temperatures soared to the low 90s mid afternoon. She lives in the neighborhood and picked us and our gear up a bit after noon. I packed enough for a lunch at the park and after school snacks for us all, as well as the stroller to get home, hats and diaper bag.

Ashley, Oliver and Etta at the splash grounds.

My shadow on the analemmatic sundial.

Oliver and Ashley testing the sundial. We think it didn't account for day light savings time.

We enjoyed a couple hours at April Dawn, splashing about, swinging and picnicking. Those little tots were wore out by 2:15 and we headed back to Huntington. Ashley dropped me and my loot off at Our Lady of Fatima so I could retrieve the children and head home by foot. We met Brent at home at 4:30 for an early dinner before he had to return to work for another round of classes.

Yesterday's heavy mileage combined with about four hours of midday sun has me worn out. I promised the children we would bus home tomorrow to give ourselves a needed day of rest.

Miles Walked: 9.2	Biked: 40.4	Bused: 0	Drove: 0	This week
33	96.4	10.5	3.6	Since August 14, 2011

Kids Sale Consignment

There was more in the hall way and up stairs. The Kids Sale is a great resource.

This morning we still had the shoe dilemma to deal with. Brent didn't have time to stop by any stores yesterday while he was at work. I didn't even know if the sporting goods stores were open today and Brent was working from home. I was able to procure a couple of Kids Sale consignment pre-sale passes and one of those offers came with a ride to the sale. Now we were in business. I eagerly accepted the pass and the transportation and London and I went along for some thrifty shopping. Thank you so very much Cara!

Shoe options. We bought the ones she was trying on here.

Yellow lined jacket for Avery and Green light weight slicker for Oliver. $4, total.

We were able to find nearly new all white Puma shoes for $10 and two rain jackets for $4. I splurged on a large 1000+ piece K'nex set for the family to work on this fall and winter, $12. London bought herself a Davey Jones costume for Halloween, $10. I feel very satistfied that I was able to find London her shoes and the two rain jackets. $28 for my troubles and some of our clothing needs were met.

I didn't want to pass this up, but we didn't need it. I just really liked it.

The sale runs all week at the Veteran's Memorial on 5th Avenue.  Anyone in the area looking for a deal? Maybe you will snatch up this all metal and wooden Radio Flyer fire engine for $15? If only it were last year, this would have made the best first birthday present for Oliver.

Carpooling to School

Miles Walked: 19	Biked: 37	Bused: 8.4	Drove: 3.6	This week
19	37	8.4	3.6	Since August 14, 2011

Carpool
We arranged a ride for London and Elliot to go to school this morning. They were able to wake up a bit later and got to school on time for the first time all week. These friends had three children of their own to take up to school, but we were on their way, so it all worked very smoothly. The children welcomed the break from walking and biking, but they were most relieved they were not going to be tardy.


Other Events of the Day
Brent biked an errand to Rite Aid this morning then biked into work. I had arranged to keep a friend's daughter today as well as had an in home appointment for Oliver with Birth to Three, so Brent biked up to the school to walk the children home. My legs were very thankful for the day of rest.

Brent's new rack with his new lunch box.

Arriving at campus.

Going through Marshall University campus.

Children's packs loaded on the rack, then they walked home.

This evening Brent did a larger grocery trip on his own. He took the empty trailer to Kroger on 7th Street and filled it up. His purchases and approximate weights:

• 4 dozen dinner rolls, 4lbs
• 1lb of cheese
• 5-1.5lbs of whole wheat bread, 7.5lbs
• 3lbs of apples
• 2-1.5quarts of ice cream, 3.5lbs
• 1lb of coffee
• 2-half gallons of almond milk, 8lbs
• 2-half gallons of soy milk, 8lbs
• 2 gallons of milk, 16lbs
• 1 box wheat saltines, 1lb
• diaper wipes, 4lbs
• paper diapers
• 5 lbs of pastas
• 1-2lt of diet Coke, 4lbs
• dish washing detergent, 2lbs
• 5lbs of bananas
• 2.5lbs of grapes
• 14lbs of cat litter

85.5lbs Total.

Red Light Runner
As we were recapping the day Brent noted that he had to run a red light on his way to pick up the children. He was at a light for a very long time and it wasn't changing. He presumed it was because the light is tripped by a magnetic sensor and his aluminum bike was not giving it anything to trigger the light. Anyone know how to overcome this? Should he have moved over to the cross walk? What would you do?

A red light that wouldn't change until a car arrived.

Charleston Carpool

Brent had to be in Charleston this morning at 9:00am. I wanted him to take the $3 Intelligent-Transit service offered up by our fine TTA. The bus would have left from downtown at 6:45am and arrived at the Capitol Complex in Charleston at 8:00am. Sounded fine to me, but of course I wasn't the one who was staying up till 2am to get extra work done and then having to get up at 530 to get ready and walk to the bus station, as we were unsure if the bus would have a bike rack (there isn't one in the picture above). Then of course the bus didn't leave to return to Huntington until the business work day was done and Brent would be through with meetings by lunch.

Several other colleagues from Marshall University were going to this meeting as well. Brent emailed someone about getting a ride and the problem was solved. It's good to carpool.