Our Top Ten List

The List

This post is for my Mother in Law.  She asked me to make a list of all the fun places I take my kids to so she could take her grandkids Nik and Ava.

Before I start with the list let me remind you who I married.  John is a financial advisor and could also be described as the man who sews his pockets and wallet shut.   Just teasing!  John has always been very good with saving money, planning for the future, and investing.  This is truly one of his gifts and why he does so well in NYC on Wall Street.

John believes in splurging and getting really good gifts at Christmas and possibly anniversaries.  That's about it.  He has made a rule with the kids that unless it's Christmas or your birthday don't bother walking through a gift shop and thinking we are getting you a toy because it's not going to happen (we are wired so differently because I love gift shops).  Anyway, John also believes in getting memberships to places that we frequent often, so many of the places I am listing today we have a membership to.  So I fully recommend that if you like going to zoos and science centers and they provide yearly memberships--join, because you will save so much money, and also pack lunches!

1. Turtle Back Zoo

TBZ Website  Located in West Orange this zoo is by far one of my favorite NJ zoos (Although Cape May County Zoo is my next favorite and it's FREE but 2 hours away).  This zoo has penguins, peacocks, seals, sting rays, kimono dragons, a farm where you can feed the animals, a Dinosaur playground, a reptile center, a live working train (that we ride at least 2-3 times each visit...it's just how we roll!) and this year the zoo gained giraffes!  We have a membership and try to go at least once every 2 months and in the spring and summer time we go once a month.  Parking is included and you can bring a bagged lunch which is very helpful for brining the cost down.

2. Liberty Science Center

LSC Website Located in Jersey City (Exit 14C off the NJ Turnpike) this is by far one of our favorite places to go!  They have a new kid exhibit every few months and right now it's Curious George and it's adorable.  They've also had Sid the Science Kid, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Sesame Street, and Dora the Explorer.  They have 4 floors of learning fun including a mini zoo, an Imax DomeTheater and a separate 3D Movie Theater.  You can bring a bagged lunch and purchase a yearly membership.  We go once a month because it just never gets old.  Our favorite area is usually the 2-5 year old zone on the 2nd floor (they have a rice table sensory center, story time, large light bright, painting with water, and a climbing area).  The 4th floor and 3rd floors are the busiest but the most educational (dissecting cow eyes, learning about infections, learning about the body, learning about motion, etc).  On the 4th floor you can go outside and see the NY skyline, the kids like to pretend they can see John working in his office building. 

3. Adventure Aquarium

Adventure Aquarium Website Located in Camden NJ, this aquarium is a bit of a journey, about an hour and 15 minutes from our home but we love seeing the sharks and the hippos and it's a treat to go because Daddy always comes with us!  This aquarium is huge!  It has a whole floor dedicated just to toddlers and of course tons of touch tanks where kids can feel some of the sea creatures.  The yearly membership just made sense for us because we have such a large family and by the time we went twice it paid for itself.

4. Cheesequake Farms

That's my Julia!

CF Website Located in Old Bridge NJ although there are 2 locations off route 9 and off Cottrell road we always go to the one off Cottrell because you can do the corn maze, pony rides, and hay ride, and pick your pumpkin from the pumpkin patch.  It cost us $20 ($4 per person) to do the hay ride and corn maze for all 5 of us and Mia was free (2 and under are FREE).  We always wait to do it on the weekends in October so John can come and they are open until 5pm.  The pumpkins you pick you pay by the pound and this year Julia was able to lift and carry a $10 pumpkin (Daddy must love his baby girl!)

5. Terhune Orchards

Terhune Orchards Website Located in the beautiful Princeton, NJ this is by far our most favorite childhood place.  I fully believe that when the kids are grown and have families of their own they will still have very fond memories of this place.  I started taking the kids to the Read and Pick program when Julia was 2 and Mark was a baby.  They picked their first strawberries, apples, pumpkins, flowers and asparagus right here at this farm.  We love coming to the reading program that incorporates good literature with agriculture, and the homemade cider donuts never go out of style.  They have a field of kid sized tractors that all of my kids love to ride, not to mention a feeding the sheep area, and playground with slide.  The Farmer's Market is open 9-5pm and it costs $7 per child if you do the read and pick program and usually whatever you pick is included in the fee.  The staff is amazing and they love what they do and they treat the children as if they were there own.

Julia at 3 and Mark at 2 :)

6. Allaire State Park

Allaire State Park Website Located in Farmingdale, NJ This historical colonial village has been a near and dear place to my heart since I taught third graders at Timothy Christian School.  I used to bring them to this park to experience life in the colonial days.  The park has a blacksmith shop, a chapel/school room, a bakery, and actual colonial homes from the 1800s.  It also has a railroad station and a functioning train (you know how we love trains!) Pine Creek Railroad.  The only thing that has changed is that they took down the old playground that my kids used to love to play on...I'm not sure if they are rebuilding, but just walking through the village is entertaining enough.  There is also a huge pond, and all the workers dress up in 19th century clothing and explain their "roles" in the 1800s.  It is really cool and the only cost is $5 per car to park.  There are picnic tables so that you can bring your own lunches and eat there but there is a carry out trash policy.

Allaire State Park

7. Holmdel Park

Holmdel Website Located in the beautiful Holmdel, NJ, the best part about this enormous park is the Longstreet Farm and my kids would say the huge playground area.  The park and the farm are free.  And like Allaire state park the Longstreet Farm people dress in the time period of colonial times.  You can get a tour of the farm and the houses for free and learn so much history about the area and the family who lived there.   Julia and Mark learned how to milk a cow at this farm and Mark learned how to run very fast from the peacock that scared him half to death when he was 3.  He still has a fear of peacocks to this day (I am just kidding).  The kids love the chicken coop area, and the horses and cows and the huge sow that has piglets every spring.  We did our first family photo shoot at Holdmel. It is beautiful in the Fall.   There is a huge pond to the left of the farm and there are many hills and trails to go running and hiking on, and paved sidewalks to bring bikes for the kids.

8. Jenkinson's Aquarium

Jenkinson's Website Located in Point Pleasant, NJ this is a much closer but much smaller aquarium and although the kids love the penguins and seals and sharks, my favorite part is the gift shop!  I also love that the aquarium is right on the board walk next to plenty of places to eat and shop and there's an especially good candy shop right next door.  The stamp your hand on the way in and you can leave and come back any time that day.  It's practically empty in the Fall and Winter months so that is when we choose to go, during the summer it is always packed with boardwalk traffic going in and out.

9. Wonder Wing Museum

Wonder Wing Website in Lincroft, NJ located on the Brookdale Community College campus. This museum is for children ages 0-6.  Julia, Mark and Micah loved this place, but once Julia turned 7 we couldn't go anymore.  (I plan on taking Micah and Mia with our Mops group very soon now that the big kids are in school).  The cost is $7 per person, babies are free.  I used to have a membership to the museum when we would go during the fall and winter months a lot.  There is a craft room, a dress up area, and book reading area, a tumble mat, a slide, a bridge to cross, a huge boat to climb up on and underneath the boat is a kitchen with all kitchen toys which all the kids love to put in their mouths (gross!)  There is no eating in the museum and they provide no space inside at all to eat snacks even.  There are picnic benches outside but when it's raining and the kids are hungry you have to go to the car to eat.  

10. Battleview Orchards

Battleview Website Located in Freehold, NJ and literally 10 minutes from my house this is the place we pick our apples and peaches and since we moved here our pumpkins.  They have an amazing Market to buy fresh pies and cider donuts as well.  This is a great place to meet friends and go picking in a large group because they own so much property and acres of fruit trees.  The prices are very reasonable and their fruit is always amazing.

I hope this list was helpful!  One of the joys of my life has been being able to be a stay at home mom for the past 9 years and take my kids to some amazing places to touch, taste, smell, see and hear all the beautiful sights and sounds and learn all the history of this big beautiful world we live in!  I hope this was a helpful resource to all of you!  Please be sure to check out the website links I attached to get updated prices and times so that you can take your own family to these awesome places.

Making the Most of Family Time on the Weekends

Central Park Zoo in NYC

Family Time is Sacred Time

If I have learned anything about my children it is that quality family time means the WORLD to them.  And if I am honest with myself it's what I look forward to all week.  It's what makes Mondays so hard for all of us.  We miss the sweetness of being all together during Saturday and Sunday.  We have made the weekends a sacred time for family time and even though it's not always easy to make everyone happy we do our best.

One thing I consciously try to do during the week is a chore a day so that Saturday and Sunday are not huge chore days which means more play time.  For us that means an extra load of laundry each day, a thorough sweeping of the house, and constantly picking up after each other so that our home stays in order as much as possible.

Also, we try to do family activities that are low cost if not FREE.  We take advantage of corporate days John has been given in NYC to particular parks, museums, zoos, and aquariums.  The best part is we are admitted free and only may have to pay for parking!  I always pack snacks or lunch for us.

Simple activities like pumpkin picking, apple picking, a trip to the park, a walk in the mall, strolling downtown Princeton, walking through a farm or Rutger's gardens make memories with our kids that they will not soon forget.

I always loved a good movie night with my family growing up, but I am learning that my kids often would rather DO something than just sit around and watch a show.  Besides children are hands on learners and since I have a 1 year old, 2 year old, 6 year old, and almost 8 year old I love taking them to new places and exploring outdoors.

Our Favorite Spring Outings

Terhune Orchards in Princeton

Bring on Spring!

Thank goodness warmer temps are on the horizon for us!  This weekend we spring ahead with our clocks and we are back in the upper 30's and mid 40s temperature wise.

This is the month when the sun comes out, the snow melts, and the wind comes, and blows away the frigid winter air.  My boys are going stir crazy.  Today Micah ran circles in my living room for at least 10 minutes just to get his pent up energy out. Thank goodness for indoor sports like martial arts and gymnastics class for us so that we can at least get some exercise these past few months.

But we are so anxious to go outside, feel the sun on our faces and see the color green again!  I am looking forward to smelling a freshly mowed lawn, and hearing the birds chirping in the morning.  I am tired of still seeing snow!  Spring will be here in less than 3 weeks!  Here is what we plan on doing!!!

(Within each place there is a highlighted link in yellow you can click on to visit the website!)

Princeton

Liberty Science Center (great for rainy spring days) There is a new Body exhibit by Sesame Street for ages 2-8 (perfect for my tribe...I mean kids) this shows them what is under their skin, and inside their bodies!  My kids love LSC because of the exhibits, the zoo, and the 3-D movie theater (I always try to end our trip with a quick educational movie and they love to wear the 3-D glasses.)

Turtle Back Zoo

 Holmdel Park Longstreet Farm.  This is where my kids learned all about how to milk a cow, grow and shuck corn, sheer a sheep, get chased by a peacock (poor Mark is still traumatized, lol) and see the new piglets and baby chickens.  And after a trip to the farm we have a picnic and hang out by the playground up the hill.

Terhune Orchards

 Green Meadows Farm in Hazlet.  We went this past October and Julia and Mark and even Micah were in LOVE with the animals and personal tour guide.  The beauty of this farm is that every exhibit allows you to touch, pet, and actually hold the animals.  So, after lots of petting and chasing the the animals I used a ton of baby wipes and Purell to disinfect my kids hands!  But they experienced each animal which was really cool and there were a lot!  

Green Meadows Farm

 Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange.  Every May we go to this sweet little zoo in honor of Mark's birthday.  It has been our tradition since he turned 1.  This year we are planning to take a group of Kindergartener graduates with us from our homeschool group.  This zoo is wonderful because it is the perfect size for younger kids and Elementary age school kids.  It's not overwhelming and grandiose, it's just the right fit for little people.  I remember going to this zoo when I was a Kindergartner!  Peacocks roam, there is a reptile center, a train that you can ride, a huge playground and carousel, and a petting farm area, there are also pony rides.  You just can't miss this place at least once or twice a year, it's great in the spring and fall!

Terhune Orchards

 Terhune Orchards Princeton Read and Pick Program.  My kids love the read and pick program which starts up in May.  This farm is one of our favorites, it takes us about 45 minutes to get there, but it is totally worth it!  The staff is so helpful and nice and they encourage so much learning out of the little ones.  They let the kids ask a ton of questions about the farm, what they grow, how they grow, the animals there, etc.  It costs $7 per kid and first they gather all the kids and parents under a tent or in the barn to hear stories about whatever you are picking or learning about that day, then they discuss it and answer questions, then they allow the kids to pick their own fruit, flowers, or veggies and bring it home.  Plus you have to stop at the farm store for treats!  We've picked flowers and berries before, and in the fall of course we've picked pumpkins (in the pouring rain, but it was fun!).  They have tractors for the kids to ride, and animals to feed, and a shady area for picnics.  Plus, it's Princeton, so the area is really pretty, and there is a lot to do.

Liberty Science Center

Holmdel Park

Teaching Them To Serve

Faithful.  In. Serving. Him.

This year our homeschool theme is FISH: Faithful in Serving Him.

1 Peter 4:10New International Version (NIV)10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

But the truth of the matter is teaching kids to serve others is so difficult.  Especially in our world today where children think the world revolves around them and the things that make them happy.

Sometimes when we are about to go to church to teach sunday school, or do some type of ministry, sometimes I am tempted to hurry up and do the ministry without my children.  It's faster, it's easier and I don't have to hear whining or listen to 50 questions about why we are doing what we are doing.

And it always reminds me that God doesn't need ME either.  He doesn't need me to serve.  He is doing just fine without me.  However, God loves to involve us in His love ministry of blessing others.  He loves to give us opportunities to minister to others.  He loves watching us get messy and involved in the lives of people.  He doesn't need our help but he loves to have us help and he blesses us all along the way.

So it is with my children.  I don't need their help in ministry or in my daily ministering to others.  In fact I could get a lot done faster without them.  But how else will they learn?  Who else will teach them?  And how dare I try to steal their joy and blessing as they serve others!?

I love the passage in Matthew 25: 35-40 that talks about how when we serve others it is as if we are actually serving/honoring Jesus.  

Matthew 25:35-40English Standard Version (ESV)

35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me.’

Last month we brought our children to a nursing home for the specific purpose of serving others.  At first just I was going to go, but then Micah my almost 2 year old got sick.  So, John had to go and I thought he would quickly go, stay for an hour and come back home to help me.  But he had other plans.  "I want to take Julia and Mark.  I think this will be good for them to see and learn how to be a blessing to the elderly."

Oh geez, I thought to myself, how is that going to go? But John had his mind made up and I was not going to get in his way.

So the whole morning Julia kept peppering me with questions:

"Well, what are we going to do there?"

"Who are we going to see?"

"Are we going to do anything fun?"

"Are we going to get dessert?"

"Will there be games?"

I wanted to yell, "Julia, this is not about YOU!"  I wanted to say, "Julia, you are going there to be a blessing to these people."

But instead John said, "Julia these people are very old, and some of them have no family near by.  We are going there to make them smile.  We want to help them to have a good day."

How does he always know how to say exactly what she needs to hear without being harsh?  And why is it that Mark was just happy to go with his Dad while Julia had 9 million questions about the two hour period she would be at the nursing home?

So after church they went.  It was rather quiet in the house while Micah and Amelia napped and I cleaned up the house after lunch.  At around 4:30 John called me from the car.  The kids had a wonderful time!  John had a great time!  The people were so happy they came.  They LOVED seeing the kids.  In fact, they thought Julia and Mark were our friend Rachel's children (Rachel isn't even married yet, but her grandma at the nursing home has alzheimers and doesn't remember this).  

Mark and Julia (especially Mark) were the hit of the nursing home. The women kept telling John how beautiful his children were, and they kept asking Julia and Mark their name and ages.  John said each person literally asked them about 5 times what their names were.  John said the kids were so well behaved and so respectful.  They were able to hand out dessert to the people and play cards and board games and just sit and talk and be company.  They learned how to make someone smile.  They learned how to be sweet and tender and patient with these lovely elderly people.  They learned to care for them.

We plan on going once a month to the same nursing home and bless the same group of men and women (mostly women).  And Julia and Mark WANT to go back.  They had a good time.  And John was right, they were a blessing.  And he reminded the kids that by blessing and serving these people they were also putting a smile on God's heart.

 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.--1 Peter 4:10

Mommy Camp

Old Bridge Public Library

Making The Most of Summer

I have decided to not start school until after Amelia is born and possibly after Labor Day weekend.  I was going to start August 3rd and get a head start before the baby came but we packed all my homeschool things up and until we are settled into our new home I really can't even think about school.  I guess that is the beauty of homeschool.

So, that leaves the rest of August to keep the kids busy.   This week is our last week of a Vacation Bible School so our next full open week of nothing starts next week and you know me--we will not be doing nothing...even if I am 9 months pregnant these kids will have structure and fun and things to do to keep them happy and busy.

I have decided to structure our days as following since Micah still takes a nap and since I really can't be out all day in the heat this pregnant.

Activity 1

Outing

Activity 2

Lunch

Break

Activity 3

Dinner

Bath

Books

This is the only way I will survive the next few weeks before we move and before Amelia comes.  Honestly all I want to do is lay in bed and drink water and eat grapes, but since I can't we must press on and be productive with our time.

Activity 1 will most likely be something like reading a few books, coloring, or writing in our summer journal.

Outing time will consist of going to a park while it's still cool out, going to the library for story/play time, meeting up with friends at the pool, or running errands.

Activity 2 is usually back yard time because there are no mosquitoes out yet and the kids ride bikes and play while I fix lunch.

After lunch we all usually head downstairs to watch a short movie or we have Drop Everything and Read Time.

Activity 3 is going to be artsy: craft time, painting, play dough, or possibly baking!

Then the kids will wash hands, set the table and we will eat dinner.

This is usually when I beg/text John to hurry home.  We then do bath time/showers and all the kids read on their beds til dad gets home.

It's called Mommy Camp.  We all do variations of it.  We keep our kids busy and occupied while enjoying their company.

Keeping Busy

34 Weeks

Well, I am getting closer and closer to having this baby.

Between packing and moving and selling and buying we have been SO busy with SO much!

I could never have gotten through this time without Linda and Colleen Rowan who constantly babysit when we need them to head out house hunting, or to doctor's appointments.

I also have some awesome friends who are always helping me with the kids and play dates are so fun!

From time to time I still like to do my own thing and take all three kids out for a special day of fun.  This past week we went on our monthly excursion to Liberty Science Center in Jersey City.  It has a zoo, an aquarium a 3D theater and an IMAX theater, and tons of fun exhibits.  It's days like this that I really just love packing the car and being with my kids and having quality time with them.  Our life right now may be going at warp speed (and little Amelia we are desperately waiting for your sweet arrival...you will only complete our team!) but you and I both know...I wouldn't have it any other way!

Team Mac's Beach Rules: Serious and Silly!

Add caption

Beach Rules...

Rule Number 1: Pack Light.  

There is no reason why you need toys galore, clothes galore or towels galore.  Pack a bucket per kid.  A shovel per kid.  A towel per kid.  And you are good to go.  We keep a change of clothes in the car at all times during the summer anyway so if a change is needed just keep in your trunk.  Gone are the days I could actually bring books to read or a kindle or a chair or a journal.  Julia brought at least 6 books, her journal, crayons, a pen and a pencil and I looked at her and said, "Julia...I love you...but those items are not leaving the car."  I had to carry Micah, the stroller and a thirty one bag...that was it!

Rule Number 2: Everyone MUST help. 

 This is just basic mommy survival skills talking here.  I gave the kids a pep talk before we even got to the beach.  I said, "Guys, mommy is super pregnant (I'm not sure what that means but it sounded important) and so I need you each to do your part if we are all going to have fun at the beach.  You each need to hold your bucket and your towel...and Mark you are going to hold Micah's bucket."  I never understood why parents are carrying 3 million things on the beach while their kids run ahead and have not a thing in their hands to help.  I'm teaching my kids now that we are a team and we all do our part.

Rule Number 3: Sugars and Salts are a must!  

Sorry to all of you health nuts out there, but in my opinion a beach day is a vacation day and on vacation you do not count calories.  I made sure we had lots of water and fruit at breakfast (watermelon, oranges, and grapes) but all the snacks I packed were granola bars, crackers, pretzels, etc.  The beach we go to has a huge food area which is totally covered so you can enjoy the shade and breeze.  I pack snacks but we order hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch so I don't bother with soggy sandwiches or eating sand.  I always pack a ton of fruit juices that may have sugar but after being in that hot sun we all need a little extra!

Rule Number 4: You splash your mom and you will get hurt!  

Okay, maybe not hurt! But watch out because mommy does not like to get wet at the beach unless it is my feet...it's a black woman thing I think bc my hair is my crown and glory.  Mark tried to splash me a couple of times and I just looked at him and said, "Mark...don't do it."  And he laughed and went back into the waves!

Rule Number 5: Ice cream is the last stop of every beach trip.  It's tradition!

We had to teach Daddy this rule.  Daddy does not like to spend money.  Daddy's pockets are sewed shut.  But we took him to the beach and me and the kids explained to him the importance of ending every beach trip with a treat at the ice cream shop across the street.  And...he...agreed!  Seriously, don't mess with a pregnancy craving...and don't mess with tradition!

Be calm and beach on!

Getting Away From It All...COTW

C. O. T. W.

Last August was our first experience at Camp of the Woods.  We went with a group of our friends that are more like family to us.  This year we had to go solo because our Amelia is due to arrive in August and so we switched our vacation week to this past June.

Chapel

Canoe rides

Basketball

Sand fun

Swimming in the lake

Camp fires at night

Quality time with Dad

All 3 meals every day together

Kids Club each morning and afternoon

Crafts

Rock climbing

Volleyball

Mini golf

Shuffle board

Checkers

The list of activities we did every day goes on and on.  We started each morning off at breakfast together.  Having all your meals cooked for you and warm and waiting when you arrive is such a blessing.  It is definitely a huge break from cooking and clean up for me.  And even though you have to walk to every meal, the family bonding and exercise is worth it.  After breakfast we would drop all the kids off to their classes...each child has their own classroom.  Mark was with the Kindergarteners, Julia was with the Second graders and Micah went to a different building just made for nursery kids ages 0-23 months.

Chapel each morning was taught by Rex Keener (each week the guest speaker/pastor is different) and it would be from 9:15-10:15 with worship included.  It was awesome to go to church for 6 days straight and get your spirit encouraged and filled.  Afterwards the big kids would go to Chapter 2 class, the ages were K-third grade and they would play games and hear another Bible story and make a craft.  The kids also memorized scripture!  We only had to pick up Micah from Nursery and we would head to the Tee Pee for coffee and sticky buns and John and I would talk about the chapel and what God was teaching us.

At noon we would pick up the kids and walk to the Purdy center for lunch.  After lunch we would either swim at the lake, play mini golf, hang out with friends, rock climb, go to the sports complex...there was SO much to choose from and do.  It was just great to always be together.  We never have quality time with John like that.

Heading to dinner around 5:30 and afterwards just relaxing by the camp fire, roasting marshmallows and talking to our neighbors while the kids played.  I was able to actually rest and take naps on this vacation while John would take the kids out to do fun things.  They LOVED quality time with Daddy.  He was really good about taking each child out one on one and spending special time with them.  On Tuesday morning at 5:30 am he took Mark canoeing and on Thursday morning at 5:30 am he took Julia.  They LOVED it!  The mountain air, the wild life, and the life skills John taught them will last in their memories for a long time I think.

We never made the kids nap so at bed time everyone was exhausted.  No one ever fussed about going to bed.  In fact sometimes they just climbed up to their bunk bed and passed out!  If you asked each of us what our favorite part of camp of the woods was, we would say, Julia: The Lake and the playground, Mark: Swimming in the Lake and rock climbing, Micah: The sand and the lake, John: Canoeing with the kids, and Tee Pee talks with me over coffee, and me....my top 3 favorites were: Chapel time (I took so many notes and felt so much closer to the Lord), having John's company at every meal, and watching my kids thoroughly enjoy themselves with new friends!

All in all it was a wonderful week long vacation.  The fresh mountain air, the beautiful scenery right outside our cabin, the chapels, the exercise of all the fun outdoor and indoor activities, and the delicious food that I didn't have to cook!  't was good for the mind, body, and soul for sure!  It was our last vacation as a party of 5...and now we wait patiently for our little miss amelia to arrive.  

Why New Experiences Are Great

Camp

I was so excited when Mark turned 5 this May because I knew this year he would be eligible to join Summer Quest at Timothy Christian School along with his big sister Julia.

Last year at gymnastics camp (we only did it one day a week) Mark had a VERY hard time leaving me.  I wasn't sure if it was because Micah was just born, or he is so shy, or he was overwhelmed, but every time I dropped him off there were tears, and I ended up walking to my car crying and calling my best friend Suzette to pray.

I knew that my kids needed to learn how to separate from mommy.  I knew that new experiences and challenges would make them stronger.

I just did not like pushing them to do something that was not comfortable for them.  Now, Julia, is a completely different story.  She tells me that she will miss me or that she is nervous to go, but she at least tries and makes a million friends in the process.  She doesn't let her fear paralyze her the way Mark sometimes does.  I know they both have different personalities and so I am working on helping both of them.

When we found out we were pregnant this year my first thought is what will I do during the summer when I will be SO pregnant????? I knew the big kids would need something fun and new and energetic this year so when I started seeing posts on Facebook about Summer Quest 2014 at Timothy Christian School I knew it would be AWESOME.

The Must Haves

First of all, it's at a christian environment.  That is very important to me!  I want my children to hear about Christ and be surrounded by His love wherever they go.  The first day of camp when Julia came home she goes, "Mom we prayed A LOT!"  It was so awesome to know that they are hearing about Jesus at camp and that the workers are people I've worked with and known and loved for years and years.

Second of all, it is pure fun!  At camp the kids get to sing, play at recess time, draw, create, do crafts, and go on Field Trips.  It is all about having fun and going outside to run and play.  We work hard during the school year so summer time HAS to be time for fun!!!

Lastly, they are together.  Julia and Mark ARE twins. At least they think they are.  At gymnastics camp they were separated by age and so they could not be together.  At Summer Quest all the kids are together.  However, they may break off into groups at times, but at least Mark can see Julia and feel comfortable.  He knows I am coming back for him.  He knows his sister is there and that she has his back.

The Skills 

By allowing your child to do something new and challenging them you are helping them to spread their wings!  I wasn't sure how Mark was going to do on that first day...I was scared.  I was apprehensive.  But John talked to him the night before and prayed with both of them.  We layed down our family rules and reminded them what we expected from them when they were there.

When I dropped Mark off his hands were in his pockets and he was quiet, but when I picked him up he was all smiles and telling me all about his day!  He loved it.  Of course Julia made 6 new girlfriends, two of which I met and loved, a little Indian girl named Critika and a Chinese girl named Chelsea...both first graders like Julia.  I love that Mark told me he didn't make friends that day, but that he still had fun and talked to the other kids.  (today he said he did make a friend, Aaron, I was so happy).

Children need to learn to be friendly, and social, and well behaved wherever they go!  Camp is a great place to practice all of those skills!  I am so excited for this summer adventure for them.  We still have the rest of this week and another week in July.

So far we love Summer Quest!!!!! Miss Ramunda and all the awesome helpers are so amazing with the kids.  They make sure everyone is having fun and feels accepted.  Thank you Becky and Bethany L. and Emma Sibilla and Sarah Hubler.  WE love you all!

I Love Summer

We ARE Loving Our Lazy Summer Days

As you all know, we've been done with school (we start in August) and so the past week or so have just been really fun just being together without school books.  We still do a ton of reading and some writing, but for the most part we are out and about at parks, in our backyard, at the library, picking berries, playing with friends, and just RELAXING!

Summer begins for me, when the school books close, and the sun stays out, and we can just be a part of the outdoors and have lots of new adventures!  Even though I am pregnant I am trying to plan one fun outing a week and the rest of the week we stay close to home but do fun things like painting, writing stories, playing with friends, visiting family, and being creative.

I am seeing all our flowers blooming and our lawn is so lush and green (thank you Lawn Doctor, thank you).  We also have several new robins who visit our trees and sing to us in the morning.  These sunny days are just so lovely and happy you can do nothing else than go outside and be a part of it.

Daily Summer Activities: Keeping Little Ones Busy

Excited For Summer

This post is a continuation from yesterday!  I was getting depressed thinking about the weeks ahead of me with being pregnant and having 3 kids to entertain (I love being with my kids, but I'm feeling super pregnant and a bit unenthusiastic at the moment).  So, I hopped on pinterest and started a new board entitled Stay at Home Summer Activities.  

Although we will go on weekly excursions to fun places, I wanted to find a list of fun things we can do in our own "back yard" so to speak, and maybe in the front yard!

I need a plan.  If I am ever feeling discouraged or defeated, God has given me a gift at planning ahead and looking to the bright side so that I can organize my time and look forward to things instead of being overwhelmed.

After pinning for a few minutes I came up with this list of things we can do at home:

1. Finger Painting

2. Chalk drawing on sidewalk

3. Swimming in the kiddie pool

4. Baking with mommy

5. Writing letters to our pen pals

6. Reviewing our Math Facts

7. D. E. A. R. Time (Drop Everything And Read)

8. Neighborhood Scavenger Hunts

9. Making crafts

10. Memorizing God's Word

This will definitely keep us busy, not to mention, going to camp, VBS, library trips, play dates, pool time, and the beach!  Aaaaahhhhh, I'm feeling much more enthusiastic about the summer!  Check out my pinterest page for even more ideas!