Old Friends are the Best

Yes, they are still so young and not at all caught up in the awkward self-awareness of tween- and teen-dom, but isn't it amazing how quickly kids can pick right back up with old buddies, no matter how long its been since they last laughed and played?  Our kids have known all of the kids above basically since birth, and we hope that they stay fast friends forever.  Here's to today's last summer hurrah....and many more to come!

Guest Blogger

Hey there.  The name's Neve, and I'm filling in for Mom and Dad as today's guest blogger.  Why do they need the help?  Well, Dad's been out of town for work and Mom's up to her eyeballs keeping up with both my sis and bro being sick.  So, here I am.  And, boy, do I have a lot to get out of my system.  (I normally scream and shout it out, but today I'll just type it.)  First, who in the heck is this person that comes over once a week to put me in all kinds of strange and difficult positions that my body was clearly not designed for?  Mommy and Daddy seem to think that she's going to help me, but I BEEEEG to differ!  If they think that I'm not going to cry for a half-hour straight every single time that lady comes over, they've got another thing coming.  Second, (and this has nothing to do with my first point...oh no, it doesn't), I kinda can't wait to finally get up on my feet and start running after Big Sis and Bro.  I really, really can't wait.  I'm trying so hard to stand up these days, but I just can't seem to get that darn diaper-covered bum off the ground.  I'll keep trying, I promise.  Third, I keep hearing about this "school" thing that is happening soon.  I don't think it has anything to do with me, but I'm scared that I may not see Big Sis and Bro as much as I'm used to.  I'll be sure to let Mom and Dad know how I feel!  (Because I really, really don't like to keep anything to myself.) OK, I'm starting to get tired now, and I haven't had milk for about 5 minutes, so it's time to start wailing...  WAHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Great Reading, Great Waves!

As many kids across the country do, our older kiddos participated in and completed their local library's Summer Reading Program.  As the reward, our library system partners with a ton of local companies, universities, parks and recs programs, etc. to build quite an impressive coupon book.  Of course, to a 6- and 3-year-old, coupon books are not really that cool.  So, we've been trying to redeem as many of the coupons as we can to make the program seem super-cool!  Today, we redeemed our biggest prize so far:  free admission to a local water park.  Needless to say, the kids loved it.  Katie, older and braver, loved the kid slides, mushroom-shaped fountains, and wave pool.  Michael loved the sprayground and playground areas.  (Daddy and Neve stayed home from this adventure.)  When I asked them if the Summer Reading Program was "worth it" now, Katie responded, "I LOVE the Summer Reading Program.  All except the reading part."  Oh....um....awesome.  Well, it was a good time, anyway!

Go Pam, Go!!!

This post is dedicated to our very special cousin, Pam!!!  We love, love, love you and are with you every step of the way in your journey.  Whenever you feel down, just remember the look that Michael is giving you in this picture.  And, then just LAUGH as hard as you possibly can.  Because, really, laughter is the best medicine, right?  God bless!!!!

(Kinda) Rollin' in the Dough

As we mentioned in a previous post, Katie has begun earning money toward a material goal (an American Girl Doll...disgustingly priced around $110 or so).  She has chosen four extraneous tasks (not usually required of her) to complete every day.  She gets a quarter per task per day.  Sometimes she hits the jackpot and actually earns a dollar, other days nothing at all.  It's up to her.  She asked to get her piggy bank down to count how much she's earned so far, and we were happy to report to her that she is at around $25 and change.  She was a little disappointed, but we encouraged her that she was doing a great job.  We also reminded her that extra income streams (i.e. the Tooth Fairy, Christmas, birthday, etc.) would help boost her bottom line.  (All of a sudden we caught her jiggling her loose teeth even more vigorously!)  We don't know if she'll have the stamina to get to her rather large goal, but she's done a great job so far!

Twelve

On August 18th, 2001, two best friends were married on a rainy afternoon in one of their favorite places in the world.  Twelve years, two cities, countless jobs, one dog, and three of the most awesome kids in the world later, look at what awesome pandemonium has been wrought!  After a relaxing day of church going, ice cream eating, playground playing, and silly picture taking, Katie put it best when she said, "Best.  Anniversary.  Ever."  Agreed!

Old Friends, Good Music

It's funny.  When this summer began, I had imagined meeting up for play dates with many old pals whose school schedules did not mesh with ours.  But, then life (ours and theirs) got in the way:  vacations, swim teams, summer camps, illnesses, you name it.  So, many of us are trying to scramble in these last few weeks of summer to finally meet up.  This morning, we gathered with some great friends (Angela, Lyla, Anamarie, Amber, Matt, Julie, Sam, Oliver, and Katy) to listen to one of our favorite local bands, Rocknoceros.  Everybody is such good friends that we all picked right back up with our friendships without missing a beat.  The kids promptly left the adults to dance up near the band, and the parents kicked back and got a chance to talk.  Here's to a few more such meet-ups before we all go our separate school ways again!

Fly Away!

This picture is such a good summation of our Summer 2013.  It has been a monumental summer in so many ways for the kids.  Katie, once our shy, cautious first child, has just blossomed over the past several months, conquering challenges and fears left and right.  Just about everything we've dared her to do, she's worked and worked to achieve.  Improving on the monkey bars, perfecting the hula hoop, learning to swim, diving off the diving board...  She's even begun some chores around the house so that she can earn money toward an American Girl doll!  In the picture above, she conquered a huge fear that she had involving loud sounds by fearlessly "flying" with the airplanes at a park adjacent to the airport this afternoon.  Up next: riding her bike without training wheels and reading chapter books fluently!!

Michael, as shown in the picture, desperately tries to keep up with his sister, with varying degrees of success.  Of course, he is only three, but his fears definitely pop out more often.  He often takes his cues from Katie and attempts to be brave with her.  Inspired by Big Sis, he has pretty much perfected his balance bike and learned to get the top half of his body wet in the pool (big difference from last summer!).  Up next: putting his head underwater, pumping by himself on the swings, learning to pedal, and kicking butt at preschool!

Of course, we can't forget about little Nevie.  She is not yet old enough to have manifested the same fears that appear with the imagination.  But, with the help of her PT, she is working through all of her physical challenges.  She's making fast improvement:  rolling over, crawling, pulling up to her knees.  Up next:  pulling up to stand, cruising, walking, and talking!!!

We couldn't be more proud of all three!

Philly, Day 5: Going Dutch

On the last day of our exciting trip, we went to the magnificent theme park built just for little kids, Dutch Wonderland.  (Yes, they really do have an amusement park smack dab in the middle of Pennsylvania Dutch country.  At least they don't exploit that connection too much...the theme of the park is actually princesses, princes, and dragons.)  Looking back, we probably should have started our trip here as the entire family was honestly too exhausted to enjoy the festivities.  After the fourth straight night of going to bed later than 10PM, we were all a tad cranky.  But, the kids rallied enough to enjoy some rides and dig into unhealthy carni food.  And, the mystery of Neve's crazy fever was finally solved when we changed her diaper in the middle of the day.  Her poor trunk was covered with the nasty, tell-tale leopard spots of roseola.  We had schlepped the poor kid around everywhere while she struggled against that nasty virus all weekend.  'Tis what it is to be the third kid....

Philly, Day 4: Camels, Okapis, and Aye-Ayes, Oh My!

Saturday in Philly was to be Katie's big day.  Our animal lover immediately requested visiting America's oldest zoo when she found out that we were going to Philadelphia.  And, the zoo certainly didn't disappoint!  (As a matter of fact, aside from the cost factor, we think it blows our National Zoo out of the water.)  Some highlights from the visit:

 Traci was absolutely through-the-roof excited to finally meet her favorite animal in person.  Can anybody name what it is?  The keeper was nice enough to come talk to us about it for awhile.  Traci could have just stayed there all day long....

After meeting the okapi, we ventured onward to find the kids' requested animals.  Katie sought out the cheetah (one of her all-time favorites) and Michael wanted the aye-aye (just because it sounds cool).  The search for the reclusive aye-aye almost killed us, and when we found it, it was displayed in total darkness behind curtains as it is nocturnal.  So, in essence, we couldn't see it.  Oh well...at least it was in the same house as the apes and monkeys!

And what day at the zoo could be complete without a ride on a camel?  The kids were only disappointed that it wasn't longer.

Once we finished up at the zoo, we left the metropolitan area and headed west for about an hour to Lancaster County.  We were set to visit the Dutch Wonderland amusement park the next morning, but we devoted Saturday afternoon to catching up with an old high school buddy of Traci's.  A big, big thanks goes out to Chad, Katy, Maddie, and Chase for welcoming us to their home, feeding us scrumptious, homemade food, and letting us play with all of their toys.  It was so nice to catch up and watch the kids bond.  

Philly, Day 3: Brotherly (and Sisterly) Love!

Friday was the day that we really dug our heels into the historical context of Philadelphia.  (As I lectured the kids, who later claimed boredom, "Hey...parents get to see stuff that interest them, too!!!!!")  After eating a scrumptious breakfast at the Reading Terminal Market (more on that later), we headed several blocks east to Independence Square to check out the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the National Constitution Center.

The line to see the Liberty Bell was a bit long, so a still-mysteriously-feverish Neve and Mom opted out to sit in the cool shade outside.  The older kids were patient troopers and enjoyed seeing "the broken bell."  Michael figured that he somehow broke it since he breaks every other toy in our house.

When we briefly popped into the official Independence Square Visitors' Center and Gift Shop, Mike was delighted to be greeted by one of his personal heroes.  Does anybody else see the eerie resemblance?  It's all in the eyes....

In the super-cool National Constitution Center, we got to "meet" many of our Founding Fathers (cast in bronze, of course).  Here is Katie, signing her name to the Constitution, with George Washington himself looking over her penmanship.

Traci, of course, was partial to the local hero, Ben Franklin.  You couldn't make it through years of Pennsylvania history in high school without having it drilled into your brain how great this man was.  Judging from how worn down the hands and forehead of his sculpture was, many other locals agree!

Cool view of Independence Square from the second floor of the National Constitution Center.  Nice juxtaposition of history with modern America....with plenty of tourists mixed in as well.

Now on to Traci's new favorite spot in the entire city:  Reading Terminal Market!!!  When we booked our hotel, we had no idea that it was right next to one of the coolest indoor farmers' markets/eateries in the country.  Home to more than 80 vendors, including many Pennsylvania Amish, the market provided endless, mouth-watering possibilities.  Seriously, we ate there at least four times and loved everything we had.  The homemade desserts were especially a hit with the young ones.

We finished our evening at the very fun Franklin Square.  Smack dab in the center of the city, this park was once a destitute wasteland.  Since then, it has been converted into a very family-friendly square that attracts a diverse, happy crowd.  It had a beautiful water fountain, colorful carousel, fully-equipped playground, and Philly-themed mini-golf course.  The whole family enjoyed some time there until a fussy Neve was taken back to the hotel for the night.  Traci and the older kids stayed out late to enjoy a surprisingly competitive round of golf.  Nothing like hitting a golf ball UP Rocky's famous steps!

Philly, Days 1-2: Two Different Wonderlands

Welcome back, everybody!!  We just returned from a very eventful vacation to Philadelphia/Lancaster County!  Barring a few minor glitches, we all had a fantastic time.  Who knew that this small-town Western PA girl could fall in love with "that other Pennsylvania city"?  The kids are ready to move now.  We tried not to pack too much into our trip so as to not overwhelm our young family, but we couldn't help having so much fun.  By the end, we were totally exhausted (and ill) and needed a vacation from our vacation.  So, over the next few days, we'll describe our days in the Philly and its surroundings:

Days 1-2:  After arriving from a relatively uneventful car trip, we checked into our City Center hotel.  The kids wasted no time making buddies with some of the adults hanging in the lobby.  (Our hotel was right across from the Convention Center, so we met some nice gardeners in for a lawn/garden convention.)  And, of course, we peeked in at the pool, which was to be the older kids' respite while Neve napped the afternoons away.

When we woke up the next morning, we discovered that it must be monsoon season in Philadelphia.  It wasn't just raining, it was pouring hard enough to soak you through even with umbrellas.  We quickly changed our itinerary so that we would explore the all-indoor Please Touch Children's Museum in Philly's gorgeous Fairmont Park District.  Now, Traci prides herself on being somewhat knowledgeable about the world of museum education, and she has sincerely never seen a better children's museum in the country.  Please Touch was AMAZING!!!  The kids experimented with water and air dynamics, immersed themselves in Alice's Wonderland, and made beautiful music in an instrument-laden rain forest.  Here are some photos from the museum:

Neve in her car creation.  The kids were free to build the car in any manner they desired:  fancy wheels, cool lights, extra rocket jet-packs, etc.

Of course, Michael couldn't pass up the opportunity to take his sister cruising on his sweet motor scooter!

Check out "Lady" Liberty her(him)self!

And, once we got back to the hotel, the kids had a blast at the hotel pool.  Katie merrily practiced her swimming skills, while Michael just hung out in the hot tub.  Smart kid.

That evening, two of our friends from college, Kate and Rob Murray, so graciously hosted us for dinner and fun at their gorgeous estate in the suburbs.  We regret that we did not take a single photo, but that must be attributed to how much fun we were having.  Katie LOVED their pool with a diving board, where she attempted her first dive!  (She also loved one of the daughter's extensive American Girl collection, but that is a story for another day.)  Michael LOVED the sons' sports paraphenilia.  Neve LOVED scootching around in their large house.  And, Mike and I just LOVED the relaxed atmosphere, great hospitality, and yummy food.  Thanks, guys!  The only rather unfortunate event happened at the end of the evening.  Neve had been somewhat fussy all day and we noticed that she was burning up by the end of the evening.  When we checked her temp, she had a raging fever of 103!  More on that saga tomorrow....