An Afternoon in Philly 7/11

Seth’s parents flew into Philadelphia to start a church history tour on Thursday. Grandma and Grandpa only being 2 1/2 hours away seemed like the perfect reason to take a quick afternoon trip to Philly. We left after swim lessons and Seth working a few hours. The drive was easy because we left in the perfect window of no traffic. Conrad had some car sickness issues but that’s nothing we haven’t seen before. We arrived around 4pm and since we didn’t have time to see much we narrowed it all down to the Liberty Bell. We walked through a small museum where we learned a little history and then saw the bell. After leaving we wandered around the visitors center where a man stopped us. He said, “you have to take your kids to Franklin Square, it has a great park as is only a few blocks away.” I guess there is a reason they call this the city of brotherly love. We still had an hour before we were going to meet up with the Thackers so we took his advice and went to Franklin Square. It was a great park in the middle of the city and the kids had a great time letting loose after the museum. We were excited when we got the call that Grandma and Grandpa were on their tour bus and made our way to the restaurant where we were going to meet up. We miraculously found the best parking spot right up front and saw their tour bus go by shortly after we arrived. Unfortunately we never saw Grandma and Grandpa. Seth finally called his dad and since they couldn’t find anywhere to park the bus they were trying to figure out something else for dinner. Our kids were ravenous so we went ahead and ate our authentic Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches from Geno’s. They were good but I think they were a little too hyped. We decided to drive to their hotel after we ate and wait for them to arrive. Driving through the streets we spotted their tour bus again at a gas station!!  The kids were really excited to see them even in a gas station parking lot (they had sent someone to the restaurant to pick up their food for them). We waited with them and then went back to their hotel for more fun. We hung out for way too long and then drove home late. The kids slept the WHOLE way home which was nice. Now we need to plan a return trip to see everything we missed.

The Liberty Bell, Rocky, and Independence Hall.

Franklin Square and Steak Sandwiches.

2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival 7/5

Every year the Smithsonian hosts a Folklife festival outside in front of the Smithsonian museums. The festival is impressive! They bring hundreds of people from all over the world to dance, sing, craft, etc. Everything is so authentic. We watched a man from South America do some really intricate beading in a loin cloth. They work hard making sure everything you are shown is how it is done in the country of origin  by bringing people strait from the country.  Most of them had to have translators so they could communicate. We also learned about how traditional ocean navigation system works in Hawaii, Hungarian carving and weaving, and Hungarian dancing. The dancing was by far the most entertaining. There was also a few kids activities like bracelet making and stilt walking. There was A LOT to see, but it was REALLY humid so after a couple of hours we called it good and walked quickly back to the metro. We usually never ride the metro in so that in itself was a treat for the kids. 

4th of July Celebrations! 7/4

Our Fourth of July started bright and early at the church where the primary hosted a “breakfast” and bike parade. The kids sang the Star Spangled Banner and I was impressed with how well they all knew it!

 

After the Color Guard and singing the kids took their decorated bikes and paraded around the parking lot with the bishop. The boys worked diligently on their bikes to try and secure one of the two ice-cream cakes being given away to “Best in Spirit” but it was not meant to be.

The kids (and Seth) participated in a real “watermelon bust.” An adult would slam a watermelon onto a tarp and the kids would go wild tearing into it. Very memorable and sticky.

They both did well in the hula-hoop contest. Is it sad the my son has way more skills with the hoop than I ever did??

We came home from our morning activities to relax and cool off from the humidity. We took naps and then Seth and I watched a documentary on the revolutionary war on Netflix. We both learned a lot and I feel a lot more gratitude for my Nation. We had originally planned on going downtown for the DC firework display but then we got an offer to barbecue with friends and decided that would be better for everyone. Oh- the cheesecake was perfect and required no baking.

We did swing by the Rockville fireworks on the way home. We parked, walked over to Montgomery College and waited for a few minutes for them to begin. This was the first real firework display my kids had ever seen and they were very impressed. It was too much for Lucy who buried herself in the blanket. The show was great and we were home by 10. Maybe we have a little regret not going to see the big show in DC but our route was definitely easier and involved no subway with four tired kids.

Potapsco State Park! 6/28

We had been planning a wonderful extended trip to Michigan for the last few months. Seth was going to be meeting with a company there and we were going to play with friends and camp at Lake Michigan. Unfortunately on Thursday afternoon I took a trip to the dentist where I learned I had a serious infection and needed some extensive work done. Later that day Seth learned that the person he needed to speak with was going to be out and wanted him to come in September. We sadly decided to cancel our trip.

We were depressed so we impulsively planed a quick overnight camping trip to Patapsco State Park. A friend had recommended it to me and it was only 30 minutes away. We hauled out all the camping gear and were on our way Friday afternoon. We arrived at out campsite in time to build a fire, roast hot dogs and marshmallows and call it a night. The kids loved it all (even Charlie though we did continually ask him to put down his book and interact with the family). Our kids all slept really well, even Conrad.

We attempted smores with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups- SUCCESS!

The next morning we went off on a nature walk along the Patapsco River which ran along an old Gris Mill. It was beautiful to be out and we were impressed with the 2 miles our kids walked (with wining of course). After that we drove to a different area in the park to walk across a suspension bridge; it was a little nerving when it would swing. To end out our experience we stopped at a tire park (even the ground covering was ground up tires) to play for a while. We knew it was a success when that night after giving the kids baths/showers we had a very  gritty tub.

Bible Vacation Camp. 6/24

A friend of mine recommended the Epworth Methodist Bible Camp for my kids. It was cheap and my kids LOVED it! They went for five mornings for three hours each morning. They sang a lot of fun peppy songs, did crafts and learned bible stories. Lucy was even able to attend because she turned three in January and was potty trained. Every time I went in to drop-off and pick-up I noticed the large number of Mormon moms; we all love cheap! Conrad and I were able to run errands in peace and the kids had a little structure to their summer day. Overall it was a great experience and all of the leaders and volunteers where really friendly.

Thoughts on Thirty. 6/21

I’m thirty!! Part of me says, “It’s about time, I have four kids and have been married for ten years!” Another part of me will miss the scapegoat of being in my twenties. Whenever I felt guilt for being a slacker or not diligently putting money in our 401K I would just think, “well I’m only in my twenties, I have time!!” Time to start being a more diligent saver (loves to Clark Howard and Dave Ramsey)!

I think back to when I turned twenty and my life was COMPLETELY different!! I was a newlywed of 1 and 1/2 months and was just figuring out adult life. I was a full time student, working and felt crazy busy. If I only new then what busy felt like. I was also very unhealthy and overweight. Seth and I let things really go after we got married; Lee’s half off a dozen donuts after 10pm was not a good thing for me. I’m grateful that I got with the program and while I am not as healthy as I should be I understand the importance of nutritious food and  exercise . I don’t think I could run a mile back then. Cheers for good change.

I have four kids now! I have been incredible blessed  to have been given such great kids so quickly. It was a VERY big shock when I found out I was pregnant with Charlie but he, Matthew, Lucy, and Conrad have added a lot of joy to my life.  Motherhood is hard but I have learned a lot over the years and appreciate the ability to learn and change when things aren’t working. I will frequently joke with my sister Nora that you can always make a new sticker chart to mix things up.

There are other things that I thought that I would have down at thirty that are still a ways off. Somehow I always thought I would be a Scriptorian by now. Nope. I also thought I would own a house and be settled for the next fifty years. Nope. The latter is ok because moving around has introduced me to lots of great people and places and I LOVE meeting new people and visiting new places. I’m also really thankful for all the advancements in technology so my family is just a call/skype/facebook away!  I thought that graduate school would be in my short term future but that has not happened….again maybe in the next ten years.

I feel really blessed. Great husband, kids, home, extended family, friends, community and above all a stronger testimony. I think that has come through the passage of time. Trials have come and I’m thankful the faith was there to get me through. It’s been a blessing to go through stages of life living gospel principles I believed were true and then after living them knowing they are true.

For the big thirty, Seth went above and beyond. He presented me with a box full of little wrapped gifts. He gave me thirty of my favorite things. He had me open up one at the very beginning he was most excited about. It was a hoppy taw. Back when I was in grade school hopscotch was an intense game and we played with a little rubber disc called a hoppy taw. I have drawn many hopscotches for my kids but would always point out how a rock was a poor substitute for the really hoppy taw. I didn’t even know they still sold them. It even came with the official rules and the exact dimensions to draw your own. It was a wonderful morning activity with the kids. Another one of the gifts was a REALLY sharp knife. I have had dull knives for a few years and have wined without action. It’s funny how something so basic can bring so much happiness. 

That night we enjoyed some Satin Pie or “Satan Pie” as Charlie referred to it. I wonder where I’ll be at forty?? house? more kids?? marathon? more schooling? new hobbies? west coast??