Renaissance Festival

Sunday Feb 17 we went to the Renaissance Festival with Rob and the kids.  It was a perfect day to go, sunny, temperture only about 70-72 degrees.  The rains earlier in the month had turned both the Desert and the Festival grounds into a lush green carpet.  My camera battery died or I would have taken a lot more pictures.  I took at least a dozen pictures of the costumes (for sewing ideas).  About a third of the people who attend wear their own costumes and the Festival hires dozens of people in costumes to walk around and talk to attendees in "Old English, Shakesperian language" which really adds to the fun.  I swear, someday I am going to make a costume for me to wear to the Festival too!  This year Audrey wore her Fairy Apparel and she talked to all the fairies we met.  Audrey loves everything Fae.  Rob and Avery went on this fantastic, giant, trampoline and they had a blast!  Grandpa and Audrey road a giant rocking horse.  There were at least 20 free shows.  My favorite was the "Fire Whip".  This brave (or foolhardy, or a dare devil you could say) young man used a whip to snap the heads off roses - that were being held between a ladies teeth !!!! Then he lit his whip on fire and - well - WOW - you all missed a great show.  There was also a kind of Ampitheater this year with slooping grass to sit and watch some of the shows (some places were a little bit too soggy because of the recent rains but Rob found a sunny, dryer spot).  I watched the free "Ladies of the Court" dance lessons - I didn't get up to try it but sitting in the sun listening to the flutes and the "Queens Dance Instructor" give directions with her Old English tongue was magical.  And there was a pastry shop with some Italian goodies.  And Avery shot out balloons with darts and won a prize.  And I had my palm read and then I read the gypsy's palm right back and she asked me how I knew so much - Thank you again my dearly missed Grandma Robinson). And Rob and the kids had their traditional GIANT roasted TURKEY LEGS.  And Rob and the kids shot arrows.  Just a really great day :)  

Saturday Feb 2, A Fun Day

Saturday, Fed 15...Grandpa takes the Resort Bus and goes up to Verde Valley Wine and Pecan Festival.  Grandma spends the day on errands with Robbie and "the Kids".   We start with Breakfast at the "Corner Cafe" right by Sunrise Village.  Next stop was haircuts. While Avery got his hair cu, t Audrey used Grandma's new camera to take pictures.    Then on to get Audreys nails done.  After that the BIG EVENT.  We go through all the rows of toys at the Super Walmart store where Audrey shows us all the things she would like for her upcoming Birthday.  There will be a lot of choices for us to buy for her.  Avery also admires the Big City Lego sets.  Finally - we look-in on the garden shop and Avery and Audrey do an imprompt sword fight with pool floaties.  Then they drop Grandma off and she takes a well deserved hour nap!  Grandpa comes home with lots of stories about the wines he has tasted - plus he brings Grandma a Pecan Turtle, yummy.