The other weekend when it was gorgeous and sunny, Tommy and I loaded up Addie Kate and headed to Asheville for a day at the Biltmore Estate. Both he and I were hesitant about taking her up there, knowing she would not enjoy the historical aspects of the house (ha!), and not knowing what else we'd do there, but the day turned out great! We are definitely glad that we took advantage of such a pretty day and living so close, and will be going back often (I'm thinking about becoming a passholder since we live so close.)! There is so much more to do there than the house, we can't wait to explore more!
We started out with lunch outside which was actually quite nice, even though there was no high chair and Addie Kate ended up eating sundried tomato and olive pizza (which actually settled nicely on a toddler tummy!). We then attempted seeing the house. Good thing Tommy and I have already been there and enjoyed it as a couple, because she was having no part of it! She just couldn't take staying in her stroller that long with a ton of slow-moving people around her. We went out to the veranda and let her run around a bit (and got some great pics thanks to a sweet passerby), then just decided to go enjoy the grounds with her.
We took her out front to the lawn and she loved, loved, loved running around all over the place. There were several other children out there, including a baby, that Addie just couldn't understand why she couldn't pick her up and burp her, feed her a bottle, or cover her up! There were also some young (college-aged) girls hanging out on the lawn and my Miss Priss thought she was old enough to hang out with them as well. She walked right up to them, pulled her dress up, and showed them her "bu-ton!" (Belly Button) She is such a mess!
We then went to the winery where Addie Kate was great! I gave her water and goldfish, and Tommy and I got to indulge ourselves into the tasting!
Finally, we took Addie Kate down to the farm to see the "horsey!" That was all she talked about, all day, the "horsey." Well, we went up to one part (which was a little walk, carrying her - note to anyone going - take the jogging stroller, not the umbrella stroller!), and couldn't find an animal anywhere. We were starting to wonder because we knew there were horses, goats, etc. there, when we found a life-sized moss covered horse, that Addie loved! We ended up walking a little way further down and found all the animals. Tommy showed her the chickens, goats, and sheep, which she loved. Then he showed her the long-awaited horses, Bert and Ernie. Well, she freaked out! I'm talking, climbing up her daddy's shoulders, screaming! The horse was in the back of the stable, and when he saw her, the sweet little thing walked up to the front of the stable to get closer, and she lost it! It was so cute, Tommy and I just laughed at her! I guess she just likes her animals within vision!
We took her out front to the lawn and she loved, loved, loved running around all over the place. There were several other children out there, including a baby, that Addie just couldn't understand why she couldn't pick her up and burp her, feed her a bottle, or cover her up! There were also some young (college-aged) girls hanging out on the lawn and my Miss Priss thought she was old enough to hang out with them as well. She walked right up to them, pulled her dress up, and showed them her "bu-ton!" (Belly Button) She is such a mess!
We then went to the winery where Addie Kate was great! I gave her water and goldfish, and Tommy and I got to indulge ourselves into the tasting!
Finally, we took Addie Kate down to the farm to see the "horsey!" That was all she talked about, all day, the "horsey." Well, we went up to one part (which was a little walk, carrying her - note to anyone going - take the jogging stroller, not the umbrella stroller!), and couldn't find an animal anywhere. We were starting to wonder because we knew there were horses, goats, etc. there, when we found a life-sized moss covered horse, that Addie loved! We ended up walking a little way further down and found all the animals. Tommy showed her the chickens, goats, and sheep, which she loved. Then he showed her the long-awaited horses, Bert and Ernie. Well, she freaked out! I'm talking, climbing up her daddy's shoulders, screaming! The horse was in the back of the stable, and when he saw her, the sweet little thing walked up to the front of the stable to get closer, and she lost it! It was so cute, Tommy and I just laughed at her! I guess she just likes her animals within vision!
We weren't even out of the estate before she crashed in the car. She (and I) slept the whole way back to Greenville. It was such a great day, just the three of us!
This was when we first got there. I left her to go to the bathroom (she freaked out), then I had to take her back with me to change her diaper (she freaked out - she always freaks on those diaper change things), then Tommy had to leave us to go to the bathroom (and she freaked out)!
Our perfect little family! Life is good!
My sweet girl and me!
Can you imagine waking up to this each morning?
Addie Kate telling her little friend goodbye!
Yes, I let him do this to my child! I can't resist her laugh! She loves it!
Melt my heart!
Chasing....
Sorry it's fuzzy - she was running too fast!
There we are, all the way over there! She was everywhere! I think we need a front lawn that size!
Me chasing after her (I look like a duck walking, please excuse! I was trying to imitate Uncle Paul, who in high school was named "Ducky" by his baseball team, and who dearly loves this place!)
Running, running...
This is how I finally had to drag her back up to the shuttle!
Checking out the chickens
We'd ask her, "Addie, what do the sheep say?" And she'd whisper, "Baaa!"
And she freaks out at "Ernie!"
Isn't that pitiful?
Riding on Daddy's shoulders back to the car - she was done!
