Bees 1 Amy 0

So no pictures, sorry. Taking photos and managing the hive alone is a little too much for me right now! Well, the bees are doing some strange things and I had to really work them today which needless to say, did not please my bees.

Agitated is putting it nicely. They were upset, and expressed that the only way little insects with stingers know how. I felt it quickly on my left middle finger. Yup, stung. I walked away, a little afraid I must admit. Luckily, my supportive Dad is in town and was watching the whole thing. His kind words of sympathy: "Well, get back in there and finish things up."

Ok Dad. Off I went into the swarm of angry bees. I quickly put things back in, "smoothly and quickly" liked I learned in all my classes. May the 10-15 bees I killed in my closing up the hive rest in peace, and may my next visit with my girls be less painful and a little less confusing for this amateur beekeeper!

Oh yeah, still no queen to be found, but larva noted. Weird, yes. To bee continued!

You Happy Mommy?

This is Lily's newest favorite question for me.....especially after she has done something that does not make Mommy happy. However, last weekend, Mommy was very happy, as was Daddy and Lily! We took an adventure for three days, just us, a tent, a camp stove, lots of yummy junk food, sleeping bags, and off we went to the Shenandoah National Park!

Thursday 3:00 pm - Off we go!
4:00 - still on the road
5:00 - still on the road
6:00 - still on the road...got the picture - it took us forever to go 2 and a half hours!
9:30 - arrive at the campsite (realize we forgot a minor necessity - our air mattress pump)
10:30 - get settled in the tent - Mommy and Daddy slept on the nice, comfy, bumpy, cold ground - but we survived!

Friday 8:30 am - wake up!
9:00 - scrambled eggs and pancakes time!
11:00 - beautiful hike to Dark Hollow Falls - Lily made it 1.4 miles!

2:30 - attempted a nap - yeah right

3:30 - watched the family of deer nibble acorns from the ground in our campsite - they had no fear of people
5:00 - dinner! Love the Mountain House!
7:00 - introduction to roasting marshmallows - Lily LOVES her smore!
7:30 - Ryan burns his fingers on his carefully crafted smore maker - picture is pre-burn
8:30 - Lily goes to bed
9:00 - Mommy and Daddy enjoy the campfire
9:30 - Mommy heads to the potty and sees the second white skunk of the trip - I'm serious, I was not seeing things!
10:30 - Goodnight!

Saturday 7:00 am - Lily up early today!
7:30 - start to break down the campsite
8:00 - Lily uses her handi wipes to "clean" the campsite - she takes this very seriously
9:00 - head to breakfast at the Wayside cafe
10:30 - go to the Apple Butter Festival!
11:00 - Mommy and Daddy are in heaven watching their little one dance her heart out to the celtic folk band!
12:00 - say good-bye to our peaceful trip
3:00 - stop for lunch at the Cracker Barrel - never again will we eat at Cracker Barrel - don't ask
4:00 - home again and soooooo tired but soooooo refreshed!

A repeat vacation for sure! We had a great time!