Summer Catch-Up

The Renaissance Festival is held each year in Sterling, NY.

It's filled with characters who dress in period clothing (I think the Queen took a liking to Andy)while running a town very much like they had way back then (1500s? 1600s? I forget.).

So this summer we went with some friends for a day of fun.

Here's some of what we found....

Lucy targeted every ride in the place. No fancy stuff to run it, just some burly barefoot guy.

There was another ride in a huge barrel that I got swindled into- because Lucy had to have a parent with that one. What- like they thought I could somehow prevent her from throwing up as another burly braided guy twisted it around and around and around???

Nope- Lucy was laughing too hard to throw up.

Me? I came pretty close.

There were different shows put on all day long.

Marleah spotted a harpist and minstrel scheduled, so we found them.

Jill was fascinated with the psaltry she played with this tune,

and thanks to a good friend, we're borrowing his to test our musical skills.

Very neat!

Turkey legs as big as your head.

And other wonderful foods were available.

The girls took turns in the stockades- I love how Ann Marie is peeking through, like she's the accomplice that got away!


And the crafts- oh my!



Here's the glass-blower working on my little glowing fairy, to add to the collection I started as a girl each time I visited the festival. I've always had a thing for neat glass works.

Here's another example. Love this!

There was a talented calligrapher doing these.

Might have to borrow this idea for future Christmas projects.....
Hmmm....this reminds me of someone....

The Renaissance Festival had way too much to look at, and I'm sure we missed many entertaining things. When we heard there was a Loony Lucy, we had to find her.

(She's the one on the right, by the way.)

At the end of our visit, we watched a hilarious show, in which these three actors performed a story and became VERY muddy (as did much of the audience! Poor Lucy was distraught when a glob of it landed on her skirt.).

Fun actors. Good entertainment. Brave girls!

Sum Sum Summertime

This summer I've been blessed with watching two extra kids everyday-

actually they are my girls' second cousins.

Alyssa is just a year older than Marleah, and Dylan is soon to be 6.

Sorry, Dylan- you've been thrust into a girl world, but you're holding your own just fine!

Isn't he handsome?

We've gone to playgrounds, the movies, gone swimming, to the library, the store, climbed trees, made crafts and the summer is only half over!

It's so nice to have everyday playmates for my girls, and often the bunch of them are playing with the handful of neighborkids too.

Here's Alyssa and her longtime friend Shawna- two gorgeous girls!!

Jump rope turner, extraordinaire.
Lucy comforts with a smile.

She's my "in your face" kind of kid- adorably grimy and grinning!

There's nothing like a summertime!