Family adventures

Today was the day we planned months ago to meet the Govar’s. We were originally going to go to Fort Mchenry in Baltimore but the summertime monsoon (currently flooding my poor garden and killing my baby cantaloupes) made us change our plans and head to Leesburg to find some indoor fun instead.  

It all came together nicely. The kids got to run and play at a trampoline park while the adults chatted. We had some lunch at noodle and co where the kids sat and happily chatted separately. After running through the pouring down rain, We visited a candy store for treats. Clair hates the rain but we all persevered. Finally we ended the afternoon with a game of bowling. The kids were doing well, though the older ones did ask why we didn’t have the same rails they got. I think Ethan and Ellie might be ready for old school bowling where a gutter ball is a gutter ball. next time. 

The kids enjoyed each other’s company as did the adults. We love meeting the Govar’s. Everyone seems to get along really well. I wish we lived closer and I’m glad for the tomes we do meet up, usually one a year these days. 

After we separated we decided to swing by a vineyard and pick up our wine then head home. The kids played war at a table near the bar while we tasted the menu. They played wel for about 15 minutes. That was really all we needed. 

We headed home where he kids got baths, had dinner and watched a movie together. Meanwhile David and I enjoyed take out alone in the dining room with some wine. We were able to chat for a while. 

I am greatful for days like today where we won’t work and just enjoy life. It’s especially nice when we can do it with friends too. 

The kids even decided to have a sleepover tonight in Ellie’s room. I think they were up chatting until well after 10. They will be tired tomorrow. I wonder what time Clair will come to my bed for snuggles!

Life is good. 

A really good night

Tonight we had leftovers and tended the garden before dinner. Clair sat beside me snuggles closet while eating. Everyone ate without complaining. We enjoyed sale from veggies in our garden. I had some wine. The weather was gorgeous. Everyone was happy. 

After dinner Clair decided she was going to be my helper. I told her she could clean the powder room and she asked me to teach her right now, so I did. We decided while we were there that she didn’t need the step stool anymore. Wow, what a big change in my life- a decade after having children there is no longer a stepping stool in my powder room. 

Clair, Max and Ellie all helped me prepare a mountain of basil to make homemade pesto. Clair helped not only peel the leaves but wash them, pick out the bad ones, and make the pesto in the blender. She pulled up her chair and helped me with every step. She was even excited to taste it. She went to pick herself some fresh cheeey tomatoes to try it. She was so proud of what we made she even got David to try it. It was delicious! I think she found it okay. 

We then just danced in the kitchen to the country music google had been playing. She asked me why I knew every song google played. I smiled. She was so much fun to dance with. We twirled. We moved our arms. We moved our feet. We giggled. We kissed. We smiled and hugged. We just really enjoyed each other. She is an awesome person. 

(Backup) NYC family vacation

I wanted to take the kids to New York City for several days for a family vacation for years. The kids really have enjoyed our trips up there over the years. The trips are usually very short though. Each time I go to the city I see something new that I want to show the children. Finally, we scheduled one for the summer. I’ve just settled into bed upon return from our trip. We were gone for six days and five nights. I am exhausted. I also believe the children mostly had fun.

 I have asked them what they enjoy the most. It seems the children museums were the hits - staten Island children’s museum, children’s art museum of New York, and the MTA museum. We made sure to make time to plan a playground every day while we were gone. They enjoyed that time as well. They told me the playgrounds got better as the week progressed. I guess we did a better job of looking for playgrounds that were impressive as time went on.

There’s so much to see in New York City. I planned each day quite full. We only were able to do some of the things. We did make it to four of the five boroughs and to Roosevelt Island. The kids enjoyed all types of transportation except a plane on this trip. We even took Amtrak to and from the city. Clair was very excited to be taking the train this time.

They very much look forward to returning to Dylan’s candy shop. We took them there on the last trip and it was very memorable for them.

We also introduce them to what happened on 9- 11. We took them by the new World Trade Center and the reflecting pool. We also went to the FDNY museum which has an exhibit focused on the story of 9-11and a 353 firefighters who lost their lives that day. Ellie seem to really take it in the most when she saw a makeshift memorial that somebody had created on the reflection pool. 

The hardest thing for Ellie was definitely seeing all the homeless people. She had a breakdown on the third night. She didn’t understand why there were so many homeless people and how her father and I could be so cold as to not solve the problem. Ellie took $20 with her to New York City. She didn’t use that money to buy anything for herself. Instead she use that money to donate to people who were begging for money on the street. In one case she gave five dollars to a street musician in Central Park that was there to entertain the children.

We enjoyed getting to see my cousin Karlye and her little boy are a little. It’s the first time I’ve ever met our love. It was nice to see them.

The food highlight for the kids was definitely the huge Sundays they got a black tap yesterday. They were magnificent. I enjoyed tasting all three of them and helping the children enjoy them. We didn’t have any amazing food. But we also had a lot of pretty decent food. I always enjoy how easy access good food is in New York City. I ended up feeding the kids movies quite frequently as it was a good way to get protein and fiber into them. I always love how convenient the city is, but the prices fell extortionate during this trip. I think it’s time I take a trip there I’m further from getting to retire there.

Clair did say several times that she was ready to move there. I told her that she could go to medical school in New York City and enjoy living there at that point in her life. She got very excited about solution.

Max took it all in. He really does hate walking. Ellie enjoyed watching her step counter go up over the past five days each day. Max really looked forward to those moments when he could find a seat. I don’t think he’s a city boy. However, it was most impressive to watch him make friends at the playground. Twice he found a group of boys that he jumped right in and started playing with.

David got to catch up with a couple friends. I got to enjoy feeling a little bit of confidence as I paraded my kids around New York City alone and kept them safe. It would be really hard to raise kids the way I want to raise them living in New York City.

By the time we got back to Baltimore I was ready to be home with the kids in their familiar environment where they could be free and just enjoy doing whatever they want and having some downtime. Everyone is tucked into their own beds and hopefully having a good night sleep. Lady Grey missed is terribly and I snuggling at my feet.

It’s hard to pick just a couple pictures to put into the block. Here are a few.

A very nice long weekend

I don’t feel like I’m always good at taking time out around here at home just enjoy being with the kids. I will admit that I absolutely love long weekends because it means it’s an opportunity to catch up on housework and projects. This weekend I think we did a good job of mixing task accomplishment with enjoying family time. I’m proud of this.

Saturday we managed to do a lot of gardening after a trip to buy more flowers. While we put the flowers in the ground, we set up the slip and slide in a little baby pool for the kids to enjoy. We don’t do this often and we all enjoyed some time outside getting things done. We took time to stop and have Popsicles together. After a nice afternoon we enjoyed dinner at the house and went out for snowballs, the first of the season.

Send a David worked most of the day, and the kids and I hung out in the house. I caught up on laundry and some cleaning. I also have been getting help from the children on chores, and I feel good about this. We read stories and played games. Then we went to visit Robert, Colleen, Peter and baby Luca late me afternoon before meeting David for dinner and doing the shopping. I really loved watching my kids play with Peter and seeing how gentle they were with the baby. In the midst of all the crazy day in and day out, it seems that kindness and love are winning yogurt. They are gentle with the little ones and they really do take time to enjoy them. This makes my heart feel good. I also love getting a chance to see Robert and his family as it grows. It’s so great kept in touch.

Monday, we decided to visit Cunningham Falls State Park. We took the short hike up to the Falls. It was the first time we braved this since Max was one. All three kids walked all the way up and back, and I think they enjoyed it. Clear title that her first trip in the woods. She was fully sure about it all because of all the talk of snakes. Max is currently obsessed with snakes. In the afternoon we hung out at the house. After lunch, introduced Ellie to several patriotic country music songs. I’m not sure if she was just happy to be watching music videos or really is taking some of it in. I sat at the table in tears watching the videos about songs of soldiers who lost their lives. Memorial day is a nice long weekend, and I hope that I haven’t been complacent and insuring my children understand the value of our military and our freedom’s. 

Ellie made chocolate chip cookies for Peter‘s party. Max and David finish putting up a fence around our vegetable garden in hopes of keeping the bunnies from eating our plants any further. Claire played in route Peter a book about shapes. I did some quick shopping and then we joined Peter and his family to celebrate his second birthday at the local park. We had a lovely evening. I love getting to catch up with the P family anytime. It’s exciting watching it grow.  

Tomorrow we start a new journey. Tomorrow is our first day without for Sarah. She took care of the kids for seven years. I will really miss her and all the help she gave me feeling good about working in knowing the kids were in good care. But tomorrow is a new journey, and the kids are excited about Michaela coming.  I was worried clear would not be able to handle Miss Sarah’s departure. Seems that she’s doing OK so far, and I’m pleased with that. I don’t want her to be sad. I want her to see all the exciting adventures ahead. We will definitely try to keep in touch.