Summer game

The kids are still of the opinion that our backyard is the best place to spend their summer.
A little while ago we unearthed a rock patio from a mass of tangled ivy vines and a good 4-6 inches of dirt. I saw what I decided was the best spot for our garden (great sun exposure, level, slightly out of the way). When I sunk my shovel in to turn over the dirt I hit rock. And more rock. And more rock. Then I realized there was a long forgotten patio that had become completely overgrown. The kids and I have been working to excavate it ever since. Today we got it almost all cleared. It took way too much work, I know why all the other residents left it as is, but the kids enjoyed hacking and slashing and digging out their own ruins. It helps that Reuben has an old National Geographic with photos of archeological work being done on Angkor Wat and Mayan temples.

Anyway, now that we have our little patio we have a place to use our long dormant sidewalk chalk. Today the kids and I made up a game. I drew out the letters of their name among the different stones and they tried to jump along the letters to spell out their names or words or nonsense sounds. It was slightly educational-ish and entertaining so I thought I'd share.

Code Orange

The radios have declared a code orange and encouraged keeping the young safely shuttered inside. Perhaps it is because my children were raised in houses without AC, but they adamantly refuse to seek refuge in our house. We have spent our days and ways in our backyard. This despite temperatures climbing to hover just under 100 and an accompanying inescapable steamy, sticky humidity.

Here are a few things the kids like to do in the heat:
Play in the plastic turtle sand box turned pool
Chase butterflies
Stalk honey bees (our neighbor keeps a couple hives)
Yell at wood bees
Help water the garden
Help braid and Wear clover chains
Weed
Dig in the dirt
Capture worms and Sow bugs
Plant seeds
Spray each other with the hose
Have a tea party
Draw
Have picnics.
Read books
Chase squirrels
Watch birds

They actually begged to have all their meals outside and cried when I refused to let them sleep outside. In short the 90+ degree heat seems their favorite weather. Perhaps they are actually reptiles? M is at least amphibious.

Dad Day

Today I'm feeling grateful for the many Dads in my life. My Dad, my Grandpa Bob, Aaron, my kids' Papa, as well as the Dads who have passed on, great Grandpa Don and my Grandpa Buzz and others before them. Good fathers strengthen their family.

Speaking of strength, my kids are lucky. They have a dad capable of some pretty extraordinary (if not completely safe) feats of strength. Can your Dad hold one child on his back while throwing and catching another child out of the air? Feats of strength. I love this guy.

Sunday Stroll

We spent the morning enjoying the National Cathedral and it's accompanying bishop's garden.

The kids had a lot of questions about the structure of the building, the depictions in the art, and what things like the holy water and prayer candles were. Walking among the many statues, tapestries, and carvings Miriam liked pointing out baby Jesus with his mommy - the child has an uncanny eye for Mary. Reuben told us his favorite things were the windows and the chunks of stone that toppled off and shattered in the earthquake.

After touring the cathedral we explored the bishop's garden which was blooming and alive and filled with picnickers. The kids ran wild then found a quiet shady bench in a stone alcove where we sat and shared crackers and chatted together. It was lovely.

I forgot my camera at home so we only have a single picture Aaron snapped with his phone. Reuben and I are examining the brass gates together.

The Beautiful Sky

Some friends had a party in their backyard the other night. I found Reuben laying on his back in the grass. 

He said, Hey Mom. Do you know what I'm doing? 

I told him I did not. 

He said, "I"m looking up at this Beautiful sky."

Aaron joined Reuben in his sky gazing.

Miriam joined in too.

Miriam and Reuben figured how to ride the tire swing at the same time. Can you spot Reuben?

Aaron makes Miriam laugh.

Sweet Magnolias

Here are pictures of our Sunday morning hike.
Reuben decided he wanted direct access to the snacks so he shouldered the snack bag.

Not to be out done Miri found herself a bag and carried it for miles.

The weather was perfect, the magnolias were blooming, and we were together. Life is good.

In Memoriam

For Memorial Day, we headed up to Gettysburg National Park. Because remembering those who died on the battlefield is sad, but not remembering is even sadder.

It was hot. In the nineties, which was painful but I appreciated it, because from what I read that was about the temperature July 1-3, 1863, when the battle was fought.

When I woke Reuben up, correction, when he woke me up by jumping on me, I told him we were going to battle field. Reuben immediately translated this to corn field. He said "we are going to a corn field? YES! That is what I have been talking about."
Oddly enough he has been talking on and on about corn fields lately which has left Aaron and me baffled. We drove out from the city and Reuben kept asking Where is the corn field? Can we see it yet?

The city fell behind and we finally reached rural terrain. I spotted a corn field, the young crop barely ankle high and told Reuben. He was doubtful then distressed to learn that the corn wouldn't have ears of corn ready to harvest for a few more weeks. Tears were shed. Reuben wailed " I want CORN!!!" Aaron and I considered stopping at a grocery store, but right as we reached Gettysburg we found a lovely little road side stand that also sold really cool pottery. You should check them out here. They were incredibly nice and talented. http://www.thelionpotter.com/

And we were all thrilled to see a big mound of corn. Reuben picked out several ears. We loaded up on ripe peaches and strawberries. We handed Reuben the bag of corn and he immediately tore into it.

Reuben eating raw corn

Mmm. Raw corn.

Miriam eating raw corn.

The visitor center museum was fascinating. Here's Miriam taking it all in with careful measured consideration, or just dancing in circles

Confederate uniform. 

Reuben checking out the Union soldiers.

Miriam and Reuben about to watch a movie about the civil war.   The kids liked it.  Then we went to the Cyclorama (see  the first picture or read more here: http://www.nps.gov/gett/historyculture/gettysburg-cyclorama.htm) presentation which I thought was amazing and Reuben immediately found horrifying. We lasted about two minutes. Then the cannon sounds started and Reuben was convinced the army was attacking and screamed in terror and started crying. We left immediately. I probably should have seen that one coming. Taking your toddlers into a battlefield - bad idea. In my defense, Reuben has been to several reenactments and been okay. But he's finally at the age that he understands what is going on. He can comprehend the idea of an attacking army and has a sense of self-preservation. My proof that he has aged into an understanding is that Miriam liked the cyclorama and was angry to be pulled off the handrail pole she was happily swinging on. 

Instruments of the time. My ancestors in the civil war were Germans and Musicians. So I was interested to see that the top instrument was known as a German fife. 

Reuben's face on this picture kind of kills me.

Miriam took one look at Reuben and immediately snapped up a rifle for herself. 

She then attempted to rifle butt her own mother.  Makes me think she paid more attention to the cyclorama presentation than I originally thought. 

Kids playing at the Pennsylvania monument.


Here they are hiding out in the rocks on Little Round Top.

Reuben and me on a Devil's Den boulder. 

Miriam found herself a good patch of honey suckle in Devil's Den. 

If you want more details, I will talk your ear off. But I've learned that most people only want about two minutes worth of info on civil war history, so I'll stop here.