Phili by Day and NYC by Night

We got to spend the day at the Camden Adventure Aquarium which we haven't been to since Andrew was a wee little babe.  Andrew has been consistent about his marine life interest (thanks to his favorite tv show Octonauts) so it was only natural that we should bring him to marvel at the aquatic life up close.  The highlight was going through the shark tunnel and going to the gift shop and getting Andrew a new friend.  He had no problems choosing what he wanted.  He didn't even flinch, Hammer Head Shark was his pick and we named him Louie (which has to be said in a Yankee accent).


That evening Josh and I got to go on our dinner and show date in the City.  We got tickets to see Les Miserables because it is leaving Broadway soon and Alfie Bow was in the show.  We got a little disappointing news that Alfie was having a diva moment and wouldn't be in the show tonight.  BooHoo!  It turned out to be a wonderful show regardless and of course we had a fantastic time seeing this amazing Broadway musical.  I loved being out with my husband and spending time with my man.  It is so wonderful that I get to enjoy such amazing experiences with someone that equally enjoys it with me.

Buttermilk Falls

The weather was perfect for going on a hike and I had heard about a waterfall and hike that I just had to see for myself.  It was extremely to get to and yet still very remote and beautiful.  We played on the rocks and wadded in the very cold water.  Tank loved going through the stream and running along the bank of the water.  He quickly became a huge soggy mess.  after we hung around the falls, we followed the path up the stream bed where we found a plaque.  The site where were standing was where a dam used to exist, with a mill, and a few other structures.  All that was left was a mound where the dam sat and you could make out stones that might have been the foundation.  If that plaque hadn't of been there I would have had no idea what had been there.  It made me think about how impermanent we are and how change is imminent.

We stopped at a bridge had a little snack and played on the bridge under the canapé that the old hard wood trees made with a blanket of ferns on the ground that caught the remainder of sun that broke through.  This setting with the blend of history gave this place interest and mystery.  We had our good time and stopped in the little town for a lunch of pizza and sandwiches.  The day was simple and made for good memories.

Idaho Love

I think I'm starting to fall in love with the Idaho Mountains.  I have always been one that enjoys nature and the outdoors.  I love different varieties of birds and flowers and here I have been overwhelmed with all of the above.  the lakes are clear and the rivers and rugged and gushing with whitewater rapids, the mountains are impressive, the air clear, crisp and dry and the people are laid back and fun.  The amount of birds that I have seen here is impressive the most brilliant was the blue bird that we saw at the top of Brundage mountain. 

Today was another wonderful day here in McCall.  It started with a swim lesson at the fish and swim club, we moved on to the game room where Grandma & Pa met up with us there to go fishing.  We fished at the pond and as we were getting our hooks baited we saw an osprey eagle dive and catch a fish.  Incredible!  We weren't so lucky with the fish so the boys moved onto the playground.  Adam and Zach played four square with Grandma & Pa and Andrew and I played bocce ball.  It was fun just soaking eachother's company up and playing with one another. 

There is a continuous theme for this summer and it is Star Wars.  Adam has fallen in love with it and haswatched all 6 epsodes several times this summer (on the plane and in the car), declared the light saber gift that he received for his birthday the best gift tat he has ever received and had to have it with him on this trip.  He also packed his brother's sabers and it has been a constant entertainment for all during this whole time.  I turned on "Star Wars the Clone Wars" for Andrew and all the boys have been mesmerized by this science fiction.  It was while they were thus engaged that Grandma and I were up in her art studio going through stuff and organizing up there.  Eventually we came down to meet up with a friend to show us where a good huckleberry patch was.  We went picking and this has become another one of the mountain life enchantments.  Even though we didn't find but just a handful it was still really fun finding a sweet delicious berry that can only be found in the wild. 

Our day ended with a Idahoan wood stacking service project.  At first Adam and Zachary didn't want to participate so I said that is fine you can just watch and before I knew it they were in the line passing wood.  They worked hard and with out a complaint they were by far the youngest helpers there.  I was proud of them for working so hard.  Poor Andrew wanted to help too but really couldn't and hung out in the back of Grandpa's truck.  It was an ok place for him until he need to go to the bathroom and couldn't get out and couldn't see me to call for help.  Kawaiso!  He got cleaned up and stayed warm inside Grandma's car.  It turned really cold and is suppose to be in the 30's tonight.  To warm up Grandpa fired up their wood pellet stove and everyone enjoyed warming up by the fire and eating popcorn. 

Independance Day

We determined that we would go to the battleship New Jersey to start off our Independence Day.  We went with the Nycz family which added a spice of fun to have Christopher with our boys.  We learned a lot about the battleship.  Most fascinating was the gun power that it has and that only one American life was ever lost during the many battles, and several wars that it was in.  I think the boys really liked laying down in the bunks that they enlisted men were assigned to and walking through the maze of passageways.  I really liked seeing the views of Philadelphia skyline from the upper decks of the ship.  I was impressed by the massive size of the guns and through its fire power has saved lives and brought peace to many more. 

Later on we went over to a friend's house where they had a huge gathering and lots of food.  Even though it is against NJ law to shoot off fireworks they do it anyway.  They must have spent $1,000 or more on fireworks and got to shoot them all off with out the cops coming.  it was about an 30min straight mortars and firecrackers. It was intense and beautiful.  I loved feeling the impact of the mortars going off against my body and seeing the explosions directly overhead.  It is great having friends that in a sense give the "finger" to the government which is just what our forefathers did in 1776.  It was a wonderful way to spend Independence Day.

Zach's 8th Birthday!!!

I feel like we have been celebration this blessed even for over a week.  It all started with his birthday party on June 24th.  It was an epic water fight with four of his friends; Stephen, Rishan, William, & Daniel.  Everyone got a gun, and a shield. The yard was equipped with refill stations and in each refill bucket was loads of water balloons.  I turned the boys lose in the yard and the rest was history.   They were having so much fun it was hard to get them to stop for food and cake.  As the boy's moms were picking up they discovered the slip'n'slide in the front yard which was a catalyst for more fun.

The next day we embarked on our journey to Cousin Camp in Charleston, SC (a 13 hour drive).  Six (fun and exhausting) days later we drove back to NJ and he very next day was Zach's actual birthday.  Zach had asked for gifts instead of a big party (Yes!) and so he got some lute!  Most of the day was spent playing with his new set of toys.  Then for dinner we went to a Hibachi Grill.  Our chief put on a good show for us.  The highlights for me was when the chief squirted in Josh's mouth what we thought was water but really sake.  I was puzzeled when I saw Josh's face go from playful to absolute disgust.  Only after he spit out the liquid did I realize what was in that bottle.  Andrew's laughs and squeals with the chiefs performance were unmatched.  His joyful sounds even got the tough, muscle shirt wearing, Jersey boys to crack a smile.  To celebrate Zachary's birthday they brought out a candle in his ice cream, lit a big sparkler under the big hood and sang happy birthday while banging on a gong and drum.  We celebrated one last time with homemade cake at home. I can't believe my little Zach is 8 years old and getting baptized.   

Cousin camp 2015

It was last Sunday evening I was talking with Kathryn and Ben and Zach were face timing that we realized we our plans to visit at the end of the summer were not going to work. Our boys were so disappointed. Ben went to bed and prayed that we would be able to come. It was while he was praying that I looked over our calendar and decided to make this week work. Ben's prayers were answered and we drove our bodies down from NJ to SC!  It was exhausting with three boys and a dog but everyone was a trooper and we got to Harris land safely.

The reunion amongst cousins was exuberantly boisterous as they all paraded around the house hugging laughing yelling and screaming. Dogs were wrestling as the boys showed off their newly acquired light sabers and epic battles immediately broke out amongs the ruckus. It was a wonderful way to be greeted and exactly what one imagines as she fights her way through bumper to bumper Virginia traffic. 

Cousin Camp day 1:

We relaxed and soaked up each other 's company. The boys played toys and read each other books.

In the afternoon we took our herd to the movie "inside out" where we ate too much popcorn and candy.

 

That evening the adults went out and left the cousins to play with a babysitter. Miles was exhausted from jumping on the trampoline with Andrew and playing the the hose so when he was put in the tub to wash up he relaxed a little too much and fell asleep. It was the cutest thing.

We enjoyed some good southern food

  

and a walk through the marsh. I was fascinated by all the little spider crabs that were along the boardwalks and in the grasses. I was impressed even more by the sunset and impressive ambiance. People here known how to enjoy all the beauty around them.

Sunday was nice except that Zach threw up in the nigh and so our plans to go the water park on Monday were put on hold.  We decided to take it easy by going to the pool.  I was my boys' first time to go to a pool for the summer.  Ben was in total disbelief at this fact and he had to scrap his jaw off the floor because they had been to the pool everyday for weeks now and it seemed impossible that someone hadn't been to a pool yet.  We stayed there 5 hours.  I was pleased at how well Andrew took to the water.  it was nothing like last year when he was so fearful of getting in the water.  We all played and had a good time.  I sat there in enjoyed the warm sun and beautiful palmetto trees.     

 

   Two for Tuesday was the deal at the water park and that meant that 50% more people were there.  we got there at a reasonable time and before the busses of kids.  We had a good time playing on the slides and in the lazy river.  Andrew went down all of the park slides including the ones that only big kids could go on.  His size continues to amaze me.  On Adam's last run down the slide he some how came out of his tube and got flipped upside down or something and he says that that was thrilling and his favorite part of the whole trip.  I'm glad to see that there is adventure in that kid.  After we came back tot he house the Ben and Zach played outside in the fort with dinosaurs and stuffed animals and chase and Adam were always playing with their lightsabers.  It was nice to see everyone getting along so well.  This is kind of why I can't resist coming down because everyone gets a long so well. 

 

Wednesday we spent at the beach.  We tried to make hand sculptures in the sand and it worked until all of the fingers broke off of the sculptures that we made. We had a good time regaurless of our pinterest fail and played in the low tide and waves.  Adam as usual was out in the waves for a long period of time.  Miles got some kids to pull him on the boggie board, Zach and Ben were playing and Chase dug an impressive hole in the sand.  Poor Andrew came down with a fever and we tried to take it ease on him.  He fell asleep on one of the boards after he helped me make volcanos in the sand.  After beinf o the beach for most of the day we grabbed pizza on the way home, ate, went to th pool, and ended our day with fireworks as the Cousin Camp Grand finale!  After fireworks the boys got to watch the spongebob movies and eat popcorn.  What Lucky Boys!!!!

 

As usual it was a blast at cousin camp 2015 and so glad that we were able to make it down to see the Harris family this summer because it almost didn't happen.

10 years old!

A few months ago Adam mentioned that he would like to have a helicopter ride for his birthday so that is what he got.  I like the idea of giving him an experience rather than a thing that would no doubt get broken and forgotten all too quickly.  I don't think I have looked forward to celebrating a birthday more than I have this one for Adam.  I secretly planned a day in the city and the helicopter ride.  His birthday was the Saturday after school ended and so it was like a kick off for the summer as well.

We followed our tradition of waking up the birthday boy and going down stairs t open presents.  He got to open the helicopter last whis was when I told hime what our plans for the day were.  He was excited.  We took the bun intot he city and walked to times square.  It was interesting experience having all of those scuzzy looking characters zero in on your child and flock to your child.  I did not stop because as soon as you do 3 or 4 more try to accost you. I let Andrew look and wave but stuck my elbows out as I clinched Andrew and Zach closer to me.  If I got pushed just a little bit more I'm afraid what words would have come out of my mouth to communicate to the phychos behind those masks that I didn't want them to come any closer to my children. 

From there we walked over to rockerfeller center where the boys quickly found the lego store.  We told them that they could pick out any lego set that they wanted and buy it with their "mom bucks" that they have been earning all through out the school year.  They were thrilled.  It didn't take them too long to pick out a lego set.  I was worried that I would be stuck toting their packages all over the city but I was mistaken.  They would have nothing but to carry their bright yellow lego bags where ere we went.   I know Adam and Zach felt the envious stares of all the kids on the subway which filled their hearts with pride.  When ever we were traveling the boxes were taken out of the bags and studied with delighted anticipation to when they could build and play. 

We made our way over to grand central station which was what I was really excited about seeing.  there we gauked at the magnificence and then enjoyed a bite to eat.  Zach and I picked out some desert and everyone enjoyed Zach's choice of the best and most giant piece of chocolate cake.  While Zach and I were getting treats for everyone Josh convinced Adam that I would be the best/most fun parent to take on the ride with him.   From there we got on a train and went in the helicopter ride.