What are You doing This Summer?

1.  Ride on a Train
2.  Go to the Beach - check!
3.  Go to the Sidell's pool - check!
4.  Play outside - check!
5.  Go to the Duffield's Farm
6.  Eat popsicles - check!
7.  Get ice cream - check!
8.  Ride on a Boat - check!
9.  Go to Grammy and Papas
10.  Grow flowers - check!
11.  Watch the fireworks - check!
12.  Get glow stix - check!
13.  Go on trails in the forest - check!
14.  Go to the Skating Palace
15.  Go to yard sales - check!
16.  Go to Storyland
17.  Watch the Little Mermaid - check!
18.  Jump in the rain puddles - check!
19.  Go to parks and find... "nature, like froggies or snakes or mooses" - check!

What about you?

Truly...

...this is where we live!

The not so perfect Family Day.

Last year we got a groupon to a fabulous family park about an hour and a half away - Davis Farmland.  We took the kids on a hot, humid day that ended in thunder-storms.  They loved it; we loved it - it was a great day.

So this year, I had kept my eye open for another coupon because it is pretty pricey (for us!).  We got another 50% off one and headed out a few weeks later.  The weather was very similar to the year before - hot, hazy, humid with threatening thunder-showers.  But, that's about where the similarities end.  

I LOVE family days.  I LOVE traditions.  I LOVE quality time and making memories.  But this day started all wrong from the very beginning.  We weren't out the door till 10am and then we had 3 stops to make before actually "starting".  Once we were about 15 miles away, I realized I left all the kids water bottles I had chilling in the freezer, in the freezer!  Now, I don't know about other kids, but my kids drink water.  I mean - all.day.long.  Constantly.  And they freak and throw tantrums about not having their water.  

So, other families might stop and buy bottles of water or just buy drinks there.  But no, this family packs snacks and lunches so there is no extra expense.  This mother knows that if we buy one water bottle we must buy 3 water bottles and 1 if not 2 water bottles will end up spilled all over 1 or 2 children.  Just not worth it to me.

BUT, at about 30 minutes in while they are eating their packed snack of peanut butter crackers (I know, who doesn't want water with their peanut butter crackers?) and they realized mommy has no water for them, all kinds of craziness erupts.  

So.  when we pull in 2 hrs. later, someone is still upset that we have no water.  (At this point, Justin has purchased a gallon of water at a gas station when we gassed up, but guess what?  yup, no cups.)  It's hot and sticky outside.  We're already sweating.  Samuel is throwing a fit and arching his body cause he doesn't want to go in the stroller and someone else has to pee.

The day pretty much continues like this off and on with someone remembering they're thirsty (we did find one sippy cup in the back of the van that the 2 littles "share" (ha ha! not willingly) and J and I's 2 coffee mugs are washed to use too.  Then someone is sweating or someone wants to go in the jumpy cow but someone else wants to have their face painted.  Meanwhile, Justin and I are just SO HOT.  

We decide it must be time to eat and find a little shade to sit in while we pull out our loaf of bread, jar of PB and jar of honey (yes, I didn't even pre-make the sandwiches), our apples and newly purchased pampered chef apple corer/slicer.  Earlier in the day we were warned by a panicked father to NOT go near the playground because his son had been stung there and he was telling everyone of the dangers.  Justin looks at me like - it's summer.  There are bees.  People get stung.  Get over it.  But then, guess what?  Yes, Sam has taken off his shoes while I am making sandwiches and steps on a bee.  

He's crying.  Eli's crying cause she wants more and no one is listening to her.  Addison's worried about more bees.  I'm sweating.

Then, I go to slice the apples while balancing the slicer and apple on my legs (not recommended) and cannot get it to slice all the way through.  So what do I do?  Turn it upside down and push with my fingers toward the blade, something explicitly warned not to do in the instructions, and proceed to slice the top part of skin off my thumb.  Blood comes pouring out of my finger and down my hands as I calmly tell Justin - I think you need to find one of those first aid boxes.

Anyway, the day pretty much proceeds as such with the kids only sleeping about 30 min. in the car on the way home and having pretty much total meltdowns before they get in bed that night at 9pm (because, oh yes, did I mention we went straight to their VBS program that went from 6-8pm?)  Yup.

So, as much as I love family days and quality time and making memories, this was one I wanted to cry about (and think I actually did).  Justin reminded me several times on the way home that the kids had fun, at least we think they did.

on the safari

checking out the turtle

...and the goose

Eli's the size of a mini horse - who knew?

brothers

Exploring Creation

Sunday afternoons after nap time, we try to always get out of the house if the weather permits.  That period between 4 and bedtime just seems so slow when we're cooped up in the house.  This past week was beautiful, so we were off!  

One place we like to go is to Rockport's Halibut Point State Park - it was a granite quarry at one time.  It has beautiful views, lots of trails and we all love it!  We are discovering that Addison has quite an affinity for history and Eli loves all things nature - mud, bugs, water, creepy things, "bootiful" things - so this place provides a nice mix for us.

The boys in front of the quarry - over the tops of the trees you see more blue - yes, that's the ocean!

The "big kids" in front of the quarry.

Sam enjoying his hike on Daddy's back.

Today we took our time and let Addison lead the pack.  Connected to the park are the Sea Rocks - an expanse of rocks leading down to the ocean's edge.  To get down to them, you have to walk through tight trails of blueberry bushes.  Addison worked on his "lefts" and "rights" as he came to forks in the trails.

The view over the tops of the bushes.

Me and my girl on the trail.

Goofy - just like her mama?

The Sea Rocks

Eli exploring.

Today the hike turned into a very exciting study of nature and God's creation. We were finding interesting things to study everywhere!  Here the boys were watching a snail climbing a rock.

Living on the coast, we find these a lot, but this little guy was the most complete crab shell we had yet found - and so tiny.  We spent a lot of time checking him out and he did go into my pocket to ride home, but turned into dust by the time I remembered him :(

Our next slow-down-and-marvel-moment was when we found this little guy...

...a grasshopper.

 

He stayed on my finger for a really  long time.  The kids touched him, got really close and spent quite a while studying him.  He was quite fascinating.  His hind legs were so interesting - they were red (he was quickly named Red Socks) and looked backwards (for good jumping, Addison reminded me).    

After we were done our observing, we started trying to get him to jump.  When he finally did, I was standing with my arm up, so we got to see him take quite a leap!

Our next direction was off towards the setting sun and granite overlook.

At the base of the granite overlook, they are lots of little rocks that people have used to create things.  Addison had a blast playing here.

Along the way, we kept finding berries (not to eat, of course) and started collecting them to see how many colors we could find.  Besides these, we also found yellow, orange, gold and gray.

What a fabulous afternoon!  I've had a goal in mind the last couple of weeks to get the kids nature journals and coloring packs to take on our outings, but I have just not gotten to it.  Today I  really wished we had them, so maybe I'll get to them a little quicker now...

7 Days (part two)

(Part one of our "stay-cation" is here...)

Saturday

A nice day at home, gardening and playing, followed by a walk through one of our favorite small town - Rockport.  So thankful for PERFECT weather!!!

Sunday

We packed up and headed into Boston, finding parking just in time to attend Park Street's 11:00 service. It was great - different than we're use to and so just a nice change (especially since Justin and I got to "do church together").   

After lunch we headed to the Public Garden where I tried reading "Make Way for Ducklings" to the kids, but they've heard it before and there was just too much to see and do, so that did not last for long.  We wandered through the garden to find the statues for some pictures...

And then we went on the swan boats (Addison, El and myself).  So beautiful!

Swimming came next - at the Frog Pond.  The kids LOVED  it and could have stayed for hours!!!!!!!














           



We packed up from there, threw the babies into the stroller and they promptly fell asleep.  We then were able to have a really great time walking the freedom trail with Addison, telling him stories of the history of our country that took place right there where we were walking.

I love this picture of Justin showing Addison where the Boston massacre took place.  Addison LOVES stories and shows a lot of interest in history already.  

We ended the day at a great playground in the North End overlooking the harbor.  We all had a great time here before we walked through an Italian festival that was going on and went in Old North Church and showed Addison where the lanterns were hung as a warning in 1775.

MONDAY

Our last day of vacation was so wonderfully relaxing.  We spent the day at home and then at naptime were able to go out kayaking in the harbor.  Gloucester is so beautiful to begin with, but the view from the water is just great!

                                                 

City Hall

 Ten Pound Island

The Paint Factory

We spent two good hours out there - it was just perfect!  Something I've been wanting to do with Justin for a long time, but it's a bit difficult for us to go out at the same time, of course.  We ended vacation with a date, thanks to some friends from church.  So great!  

The kids and Justin and I all just really loved this vacation.  We are blessed to live in this area and to have the time to enjoy it!