Molly, Reese, and Jake were already there, and Charlotte, Anson, and I met them and Dad in Richmond Thursday morning to see a wonderful Picasso exhibit. Mostly the kids giggled at the sketches of naked ladies and pushed and shoved each other, but I do think in the end they absorbed some of the culture and learned a little about Picasso.
Then the three-ring circus really began. I took Anson and Jake to Monticello, which they loved.
(Meantime, Dad, Molly, Charlotte, and Reese headed to the downtown mall to ride the glass elevator, the carousel, and have milkshakes at Timberlake's.)
Jake and Anson were perfect gentleman on the house tour, even asking the guide questions. I had to drag them away from the new discovery room, where they had replicas of items in Thomas Jefferson's home that the kids could try out. They were fascinated by how the household and plantation worked, and why Jefferson designed it the way he did. All in all, a big success!
Jake and Anson pose with TJ before heading up the mountain:
View of the vegetable gardens, Charlottesville, and the back of the house:
The boys heading down the mountain after seeing Jefferson's grave:
You can see Jake doing a "fake" rubbing of Jefferson's grave above, while Anson builds his own creation with blacks based on architectural elements used to design Monticello.
Jason joined us Friday night, and Saturday we all attended a UVA lacrosse game, which started well but ended in disappointment. The team played terribly, although we stuck with them until almost the bitter end, when it started to rain, and then sleet. A good excuse to pile into the car and head home, stick a movie in the DVD player, and relax. Molly and I shared many belly laughs over a few boxes of old pictures Dad pulled out. I just might have to scan some in and devote a post to it!
We can't forget our favorite food haunts, like Riverside, Bodo's, and Spudnut. They kept our tummies full and satisfied.
Dad nicknamed the girls Thelma and Louise because of their adventurous, sometimes dangerous, but wholeheartedly good-natured ways!
Molly, Jason, and their kids had to leave early on Sunday, but Dad, the kids and I headed to the Corner and the Lawn. We toured the Rotunda and the gardens, showed the kids the Colonnade Club where we had our wedding reception, and played and ate lunch on grounds. It was a beautiful sunny day, and I may have convinced Anson that UVA should be on his short list for colleges. :)
Charlotte and Anson played in their favorite magnolia trees across the street from the Corner:
Papa and Anson kicked around a ball outside Brooks Hall:
Charlotte took a photo of Anson and me in the garden of the Colonnade Club, where Russell and I had our wedding reception. For those of you who were there, the Club has since been restored, including the installation of an amazing skylight in the main back room (where the band was), and still looks wonderful.
The University is working on restoring the buildings on the Lawn to their original look, which included unpainted stone, almond trim, and a forest green color on the shutters and doors. Currently, the Rotunda and Lawn building have white trim, white painted columns, and an almost black green for the shutters and doors. The Pavilion below is the only one that has been restored, including an addition of an extra level on top that was included in the original plans.
Just some pretty shots of the gardens that the kids and I took below. Even though nothing was much in bloom, and it looked like most of the pathways had been cleared for new pea gravel, the gardens were still beautiful. Even the kids said "Wow....." when they walked through each gate.
They came across a student studying with his puppy. It reminded me of Jefferson's intent that the University be enjoyed by its students and the public.
If you're not familiar with the University of Virginia (founded, designed, and built by Thomas Jefferson in 1825) and want to know more of what I'm referring to, check out this web site.
More than anything, it's always special to spend time with my family, and to see the cousins overjoyed to have time together. I also really loved sharing these historical places with my kids and niece and nephew. What a glorious place in which to grow up!
No comments:
Post a Comment