Winding down the year

As the school year comes to the end, tests, parties and trips keep kids busy.

The school trip this year was to Medieval Times for an afternoon of food games and tournament.  Actually for school trips there is a brief introduction to the world of jousting and chivalry.  I chaperoned for MM's class and had to keep  tabs on MM and one of her friends.

LB cruised through the day with two buddies, one dad, and one granddad.  Needless to say there were plenty of  parental units along so none had too many children to keep track of during the day.

Making more fun - MM's group stood to support the Yellow night while LB's group supported the blue night.  These were two of the six nights jousting for the honor of tournament champion.  Neither of our knights won the tournament but a good time was had by all.

If you can enjoy a time of suspended reality, watch beautiful animals, and enjoy a simple meal; a round at Medieval Times can be fun for an entire family.

National Train Day

Saturday the kids and I headed to 30th Street station for the 2010 National Train Day, on the El of course.  Amtrak scheduled a full day of exhibits, demonstrations, tours, and just fun for families looking at yesterday, today, and tomorrow of train travel.

MM and LB love riding the train, whether the El into Center City, New Jersey Transit into NYC, or Amtrak to Washington DC.   Seeing how people dressed for travel in days gone by was an eye opener for my kids who love their jeans and t-shirts.





After a quick lunch, we headed into the Amtrak information area seeing representatives of the Amtrak K-9 unit, the new ecological initiatives, and regional attractions.  The kids found the activity center and added to our collection of coloring pages, collectors cards, and anything neat which they could get for free.

Throughout the terminal were costumed interpreters from the mid to late 1800s.  MM was fascinated by the dresses.  She decided that wearing 3 to 4 layers of clothes including hoops, gloves, and hats, was more then she wanted to do every day.  As we were heading home after several hours, we met a strolling musician with his concertina.  Though he seemed to be heading off for a break, he was very willing to play a short piece.  I'm not sure which child was more fascinated by the instrument and its music.


This was a nice start to an otherwise quiet family focused Mother's Day weekend.  With everyone contributing to the purchase, last month we finished our holiday gifting with a Wii.  This is the first video gaming system to be of any interest to me.  To date everyone has played at least one game which required getting their backside off the couch.  Typically Mother's Day gifts are hand made items, flowers, and cards but this year DH found Wii Fit Plus, which I really wanted.  Of course who was the first person on the balance board - you know it - DH.  He was testing the equipment and software, I know.  I did get a round of Free Step accomplished with more steps in the same amount of time.   Let the fun continue....

Something in the water??

I have no idea what was going on with all the kids tonight - but it was not a fun day or night.

For the first time, I actually sent one of the kids home from Kids club because of his total refusal to listen to any of the adults. I'm sure I'll hear all sorts of grief tomorrow or later this week about it, but I will not take abuse like that from a 6 year old.

All the kids tonight were just wired - chatty, antsy, and hyper. We actually only finished 2 complete stations and part of the third. So much for 2 1/2 other stations.

Next week, I'm going to play the big heavy and inform the kids what they missed last week and how this behavior has to change for kids club to continue.

Two schoolers

Officially yesterday LB started kindergarten and where we wanted him to go.



After issues with MM and our local public school, last year she started at a private Christian school. So far this was one of the hardest decisions for me. As a child of the public school, and descendant of two public school teachers and a school librarian, I never considered sending my children to private school.

I am happy with the school they go to now. The smaller classes and the genuine care from all the staff has become very important for me.

MM just has to adjust to little brother being at "her" school. Yesterday was fine, but he doesn't have the same requirements for uniforms that she does. I'm sure this will be discussed at some point soon.

LB's only required wear uniform on chapel day. And don't they just look too adorable.

Wonders of science

Thursday turned too hot and humid for our planned trip to the zoo, so we headed into Fort Wayne for a day at Science Central.

The kids had a blast from our first steps in. MM especially liked the house - it was set on a steep angle so you couldn't walk on any one plane.

Mirrors gave each of us a different point of view.












LB found his own special place - a nook within the walk wall.












One of the big entertainments was the moon bounce. In a harness the kids got to experience the idea of walking on the moon. LB spent quiet time on line, twice at least, to bounce across the moon. Just another round to confirm his wonders with outer space and the planets.


What a cool dude!


MM was big enough to enjoy a bike trip about 90 feet in the air. Better fun was the big tube slide. Due to length and for added protection, the kids were covered except for head and hands. I love the coordination.







This is my favorite pic of the day, the pin table with my dad and LB's hands. Bummer was the photo of the kids hands didn't come out clearly.