PA Long Weekend of Surprises

I took the kids on a semi-surprise long weekend getaway. Our first stop was Valley Forge NHP to explore & earn Junior Ranger badges.

The museum had a lot of fun exhibits.

 

 

Exploring the many log huts built by the soldiers.

 

 

Exploring the house in which Washington stayed

 

This poor park ranger ended up answering the kids' questions for about 45 minutes. They asked some that she didn't know the answer to so she pulled out her phone to dig through her digital resources to find the answers.

Drove the rest of the way to Lancaster; the kids were stoked for a Chili's dinner after waiting on mom's 1 hour shopping spree at a Lancaster fabric shop.

This might have been Mom's favorite part of the trip. I discovered a vegan, gluten-free bakery with a cupcake that didn't have chocolate in it. So I bought 3 for me and let the kids pick out their choices for treats during our weekend.

 

We started the next morning off at the Landis Valley Museum where we learned a lot about the Pennsylvania German heritage and what life was like in the 1800s. The historical interpreters were fantastic. (It helped that our kids were the only children there!)

 

Learning about how to grow flax and then convert it into cloth.

Learning how to cook in an inn

The tinsmith had a whole table of things they could touch and try on.

 

 

Our second outing for the day was to the Mennonite Visitor Center. They have a to-scale replica from the dimensions listed in Exodus of the Tabernacle. Since we are studying Exodus, Leviticus, & Numbers in CBS this year, I thought it would be a good visual. The tour was great, and the kids still talk about it being a highlight.

 

The main reason for the trip was for us to go see "David" at the Sight & Sound Theatre. It did not disappoint. It was by far the best stage show I have seen in my entire life, surpassing Broadway. Real animals running through the audience!

 

I took the kids out to eat sushi for dinner. I didn't catch a photo of their faces as Patrick walked into the restaurant. He had driven in on Friday night to surprise the kids and be part of Saturday's surprise plans. We let them have some time in the pool before bed.

Saturday's surprise was a day in Dutch Wonderland. Amelia will be too big for the park before long, so we wanted to get one more visit in with her at this age.

 

 

 

 It was a full getaway, but one of the best. The kids never cease to amaze me at how much they learn from and enjoy exploring museums.

Summer Starts to Wind Down

Amelia's garden, along with the other 4H plots, continued to grow despite the long summer drought.

 

Pool playdate at new friends' house

Learning how to make biscuits

We were invited to an Indian celebration at Shruthi's house

Austin & Colleen wanted to try on their clothes that Patrick had brought back from India prior to covid.

Working away at his birthday puzzle.

He spent the entire morning chipping away at this for the gems inside.

 

She loves Colorku!

Trying out a game Austin had designed

Amelia loves Jonathan & Anthony; she was so excited that they came over for dinner.

 

Colleen's first gymnastics class

 

Swanboats at TurtleBack Zoo

On our summer bucket list was a trip to ride in the swan boats near Turtleback Zoo. The kids enjoyed taking turns paddling the boat around the reservoir.

We had a picnic lunch and played at the playground.

Then off to the zoo for a bit in the afternoon.

Rolling down the fake turf is so much fun.

End of the day Rita's hit the spot!