Stellan, whom I have requested prayers for before, needs our prayers now more than ever. He is not doing well. Go here to find out more.
Our troubles seem light in comparison. Sweet Jesus, please be near.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Philadelphia
After the Please Touch Museum, we went and checked into our new hotel in downtown Philadelphia. We stayed on the 21st floor of the Embassy Suites. We had a view of Logan's Square. This was our view:
During the day.
And during the night.
No, I did not break out into Elton John's "Philadelphia Freedom" while we were there, no matter how tempting it was.
By the way, that building in the far top of the daytime picture and at the end of the long street has the steps that Rocky ran up.
During the day.
And during the night.
No, I did not break out into Elton John's "Philadelphia Freedom" while we were there, no matter how tempting it was.
By the way, that building in the far top of the daytime picture and at the end of the long street has the steps that Rocky ran up.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Please Touch Museum
I promise the vacation updating will end soon. I promise. At least I think it will. Maybe.
The next morning after Adriana's birthday, we pack up and left Lancaster to head towards Philadelphia.
Have I somewhere mentioned why we planned this vacation? No? Do I really have to tell? Okay, but please don't hold it against me.
Bruce had been to the Amish country before and had talked about showing it to me. I personally thought at the time that the kids would not enjoy it, but I was intrigued. Along comes a certain show on a certain cable channel that I used to watch quite regularly. Let's say that show starred a couple and several children. Let's say those people might live in Pennsylvania. Let's say that the show may have featured these people going to some of these places in Pennsylvania. Let's say I started planning our trip thinking the children would like to visit some of those places before all the truth/bad press came out about these people. That is why I started thinking that Pennsylvania would be good for a vacation. So, no holding it against me, right? I was innocent.
I will say all the people we met for the most part up there redeemed the state from the other people.
Now, you will learn how much I stink at geography and general map reading. I didn't realize how much Pennsylvania had to offer in the areas of entertainment/attractions, which explains why we were trapezing across the state in the middle of our vacation.
I digress.
So, we packed up and headed to Philadelphia with the original intention of going to the Crayola Factory. A slight problem with going there-it was not convenient to anywhere we were going. It was about an hour and a half from either Lancaster or Philly. Bruce was not too thrilled with that, so I took a poll among the children and asked them if they would rather go to the Crayola Factory or to the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia. They agreed they wanted to go to the Please Touch Museum (or as Jonah calls it The May I Touch Museum.)
It was a neat place. Basically, it is place set up with all kinds of displays and hands on learning experiences for children. They are free to touch and run around as much as they want.
We finally found it after Herman had us driving around all over the place and we made a couple phone calls. It was in a renovated historical art museum.
The children had a blast. We did see a show while we were there called "The Give and Take Jugglers." They were excellent and Bruce said that was his favorite part.
I did overhear another dad at our hotel talk about the Crayola Factory. I asked him how it was. He said it was okay, but he wouldn't go back.
Yeah, Cool kids for making a good choice!
Adriana was inside a big gyroscope. She had a little trouble getting it to go because it took a lot of strength, but she finally did and enjoyed it.
Can you tell the boy had a good time?
Now, let me explain this photo. I am not taking a moment to pose while my sweet daughter is obviously having a meltdown in pain. What had happened is this-Cara fell off a bench while we were eating lunch. She was okay except for a scrapped knee or something. As I tell everyone if concrete is around, Cara's knees and elbows will find it. I had put band-aids where they needed to go and Bruce was trying to check out my camera. The previous night, I was having problems getting it to focus and he was checking it for me. That is why you see a picture of meltdown girl and me.
This is a piano like the one that was used in the movie "Big". These are Cara's feet. Adriana kind of became frustrated with it because she could not get it to play. She was putting her feet across the keys instead of directly on them. Basically, the foot needs to be right on the keys, parallel with them.
This area didn't hold their fascination nearly as much as it did Cara's when we went to a similar place in Chattanooga a few years ago.
The next morning after Adriana's birthday, we pack up and left Lancaster to head towards Philadelphia.
Have I somewhere mentioned why we planned this vacation? No? Do I really have to tell? Okay, but please don't hold it against me.
Bruce had been to the Amish country before and had talked about showing it to me. I personally thought at the time that the kids would not enjoy it, but I was intrigued. Along comes a certain show on a certain cable channel that I used to watch quite regularly. Let's say that show starred a couple and several children. Let's say those people might live in Pennsylvania. Let's say that the show may have featured these people going to some of these places in Pennsylvania. Let's say I started planning our trip thinking the children would like to visit some of those places before all the truth/bad press came out about these people. That is why I started thinking that Pennsylvania would be good for a vacation. So, no holding it against me, right? I was innocent.
I will say all the people we met for the most part up there redeemed the state from the other people.
Now, you will learn how much I stink at geography and general map reading. I didn't realize how much Pennsylvania had to offer in the areas of entertainment/attractions, which explains why we were trapezing across the state in the middle of our vacation.
I digress.
So, we packed up and headed to Philadelphia with the original intention of going to the Crayola Factory. A slight problem with going there-it was not convenient to anywhere we were going. It was about an hour and a half from either Lancaster or Philly. Bruce was not too thrilled with that, so I took a poll among the children and asked them if they would rather go to the Crayola Factory or to the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia. They agreed they wanted to go to the Please Touch Museum (or as Jonah calls it The May I Touch Museum.)
It was a neat place. Basically, it is place set up with all kinds of displays and hands on learning experiences for children. They are free to touch and run around as much as they want.
We finally found it after Herman had us driving around all over the place and we made a couple phone calls. It was in a renovated historical art museum.
The children had a blast. We did see a show while we were there called "The Give and Take Jugglers." They were excellent and Bruce said that was his favorite part.
I did overhear another dad at our hotel talk about the Crayola Factory. I asked him how it was. He said it was okay, but he wouldn't go back.
Yeah, Cool kids for making a good choice!
Adriana was inside a big gyroscope. She had a little trouble getting it to go because it took a lot of strength, but she finally did and enjoyed it.
Can you tell the boy had a good time?
Now, let me explain this photo. I am not taking a moment to pose while my sweet daughter is obviously having a meltdown in pain. What had happened is this-Cara fell off a bench while we were eating lunch. She was okay except for a scrapped knee or something. As I tell everyone if concrete is around, Cara's knees and elbows will find it. I had put band-aids where they needed to go and Bruce was trying to check out my camera. The previous night, I was having problems getting it to focus and he was checking it for me. That is why you see a picture of meltdown girl and me.
This is a piano like the one that was used in the movie "Big". These are Cara's feet. Adriana kind of became frustrated with it because she could not get it to play. She was putting her feet across the keys instead of directly on them. Basically, the foot needs to be right on the keys, parallel with them.
This area didn't hold their fascination nearly as much as it did Cara's when we went to a similar place in Chattanooga a few years ago.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Now, where was I?
When I last left you, I had just posted pictures of the Hershey tour, right? I know you are just sitting on the edge of your seats with excitement about the rest. You are, aren't you?
So, here goes.
We left Hershey that day and went to play putt-putt at a course we passed on our way to Hershey. It was a course with a castle, and it was all Cara could talk about the rest of the day. She had wanted to go play putt-putt the day before in Lancaster, but we didn't. She saw the course and that was that.
Our only problem was this was supposed to be Adriana's day because it was Adriana's birthday. Adriana wanted to go to Chuck E. Cheese's for dinner, and we didn't know if we would have time to do both. (Although Adriana informed me that her friends said Chuck E. is for babies. Hmm, so why did I see so many old looking babies there?)
Adriana stepped up to the plate though, and said she wanted to go play putt-putt before we went to Chuck E. She is such a thoughtful child and does well about thinking of others.
So, the children played putt-putt. Or, they hit the ball on the course until it got in the hole. Yeah, that's more like it.
We left there and went to Chuck E. Cheese's where Adriana opened a few presents, and the mouse himself came by to wish her a happy birthday. By the way, Chuck E. Cheese's has this thing now where you can basically walk in and have an impromptu birthday party. Didn't know that at the time. You can order the cake and everything right on the spot.
A side note, do you know how hard it is to find a cake in the Amish country? You can find all kinds of pies there, but cakes are hard to come by, especially birthday cakes. Searched high and low for one because I wanted her to have one from an actual bakery since we were in an area known for desserts. Finally found a cake at the last minute in a bakery in Bird-in-Hand (I think.) that was a carrot cake. (Score! She loves carrot cake.) Of course the day of her birthday, Hershey had a "celebration in a box" we could have gotten and Chuck E. had cakes all ready.
I digress.
So, the kids played games and then we went back to the hotel where Adriana blew out the eight (hard to believe) candles on her cake.
Then we packed up to head out the next day to go to Philadelphia.
So, here goes.
We left Hershey that day and went to play putt-putt at a course we passed on our way to Hershey. It was a course with a castle, and it was all Cara could talk about the rest of the day. She had wanted to go play putt-putt the day before in Lancaster, but we didn't. She saw the course and that was that.
Our only problem was this was supposed to be Adriana's day because it was Adriana's birthday. Adriana wanted to go to Chuck E. Cheese's for dinner, and we didn't know if we would have time to do both. (Although Adriana informed me that her friends said Chuck E. is for babies. Hmm, so why did I see so many old looking babies there?)
Adriana stepped up to the plate though, and said she wanted to go play putt-putt before we went to Chuck E. She is such a thoughtful child and does well about thinking of others.
So, the children played putt-putt. Or, they hit the ball on the course until it got in the hole. Yeah, that's more like it.
We left there and went to Chuck E. Cheese's where Adriana opened a few presents, and the mouse himself came by to wish her a happy birthday. By the way, Chuck E. Cheese's has this thing now where you can basically walk in and have an impromptu birthday party. Didn't know that at the time. You can order the cake and everything right on the spot.
A side note, do you know how hard it is to find a cake in the Amish country? You can find all kinds of pies there, but cakes are hard to come by, especially birthday cakes. Searched high and low for one because I wanted her to have one from an actual bakery since we were in an area known for desserts. Finally found a cake at the last minute in a bakery in Bird-in-Hand (I think.) that was a carrot cake. (Score! She loves carrot cake.) Of course the day of her birthday, Hershey had a "celebration in a box" we could have gotten and Chuck E. had cakes all ready.
I digress.
So, the kids played games and then we went back to the hotel where Adriana blew out the eight (hard to believe) candles on her cake.
Then we packed up to head out the next day to go to Philadelphia.
Monday, July 20, 2009
More vacation pics
I was gone for the most part of the last few days, so forgive my not updating this blog. Okay, I know you all have been sitting on the edge of your seats waiting for more vacation pics, so here we go.
While we were in the Amish country of Pennsylvania, we went to Hershey. Now, we didn't go to Hershey Park with all the rides because we were planning on going to Sesame Place, but we decided to check out Chocolate World which is a building that is all about, well, chocolate.
Now, let me make a little disclaimer here. I didn't know how much about chocolate it would be. Yes, I know the Hershey name. Yes, I know they want to sell chocolate. I just didn't realize that they would have a food court with an ice cream area, a bakery, a fudge shop, well, you get the picture. I felt like I was torturing Cara. Here she is diabetic, and I take her to Chocolate World. Since I did Weight Watchers a few years ago, I understand how difficult being there among everything you can't have can be. I was in tears for about the first hour or so that we were there.
Cara, on the other hand, was doing fine. We took a trolley tour and on the tour they gave us samples of Hershey chocolate. I told her she could have the Hershey Kiss and the other samples, and she almost didn't eat them. Even when we tell her that can have something, she sometimes will argue with us that she can't. She took the Kiss, and instead of devouring it like the rest of us, she licked it and then started biting it off little by little. I told Bruce that she was eating it like the rest of us should.
Cara was also thrilled because the gift shop area had sugar free chocolate that she was able to get.
And, did you know that Hershey Kisses are actually relatively low in carbs for a candy? The things we learned.
We were also there on Adriana's birthday and the trolley tour guides/conductors sang "Happy Birthday" to her. What a treat!
You think they have chocolate here?
The trolley tour conductors and the children after the ride. Great tour if you ever go. I highly recommend it.
The children were able to be "factory workers" and make their own package of Hershey Kisses.
These cows made an appearance on a ride that took you through a makeshift factory. The children, especially Jonah, loved the cows. In fact, we had to hear the song the cows were singing pretty much the rest of the day and during a good part of the rest of our trip.
While we were in the Amish country of Pennsylvania, we went to Hershey. Now, we didn't go to Hershey Park with all the rides because we were planning on going to Sesame Place, but we decided to check out Chocolate World which is a building that is all about, well, chocolate.
Now, let me make a little disclaimer here. I didn't know how much about chocolate it would be. Yes, I know the Hershey name. Yes, I know they want to sell chocolate. I just didn't realize that they would have a food court with an ice cream area, a bakery, a fudge shop, well, you get the picture. I felt like I was torturing Cara. Here she is diabetic, and I take her to Chocolate World. Since I did Weight Watchers a few years ago, I understand how difficult being there among everything you can't have can be. I was in tears for about the first hour or so that we were there.
Cara, on the other hand, was doing fine. We took a trolley tour and on the tour they gave us samples of Hershey chocolate. I told her she could have the Hershey Kiss and the other samples, and she almost didn't eat them. Even when we tell her that can have something, she sometimes will argue with us that she can't. She took the Kiss, and instead of devouring it like the rest of us, she licked it and then started biting it off little by little. I told Bruce that she was eating it like the rest of us should.
Cara was also thrilled because the gift shop area had sugar free chocolate that she was able to get.
And, did you know that Hershey Kisses are actually relatively low in carbs for a candy? The things we learned.
We were also there on Adriana's birthday and the trolley tour guides/conductors sang "Happy Birthday" to her. What a treat!
You think they have chocolate here?
The trolley tour conductors and the children after the ride. Great tour if you ever go. I highly recommend it.
The children were able to be "factory workers" and make their own package of Hershey Kisses.
These cows made an appearance on a ride that took you through a makeshift factory. The children, especially Jonah, loved the cows. In fact, we had to hear the song the cows were singing pretty much the rest of the day and during a good part of the rest of our trip.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
We interupt vacation to bring you Girl Scout camp
I am going to take a break from vacation pics for a moment to show off some from Girl Scout camp. Adriana and I went to a mother/daughter overnighter the weekend before vacation. (I know great planning, huh? Not like we didn't have enough to do that weekend.)
So, while Daddy stayed at home with the other two and handled all of Cara's diabetes maintenance all by himself (can we hear it for dad?), Adriana and I tried out "Herman", our new GPS system and headed to the very same Girl Scout camp I went to when I was younger. Now, I actually knew how to get to the camp, but I thought I would see what Herman suggested. We quickly realized that if you think you know more than Herman, then you are probably right.
We made it to camp and had a great time over the less than 24 hours that we were there.
When I first signed us up, Cara had not been diagnosed. This was a weekend for Adriana to enjoy going to camp, and see if she might like it next year on her own. As it turned out, it was a great weekend for her to have some one-on-one time with one of us since everything that has happened. She loved it!
Gave us a great opportunity to talk. She even said she wants to go back next year with me. Makes you all warm and fuzzy inside, doesn't it?
Arriving at camp.
We were "hoppers" during the first meal. We set the table and cleaned up afterwards. (Mama, that would be a broom that I am holding. No, please don't faint, you raised me right. I think that was the only time that day I touched one. I promise.)
Adriana enjoying her s'more at the campfire that night, because what would a Girl Scout campfire be without a s'more?
The next morning, we took a small hike to what they call the observation deck. It was a nice view.
Apparently, someone had a little fun with my camera while I was changing to go swimming.
So, while Daddy stayed at home with the other two and handled all of Cara's diabetes maintenance all by himself (can we hear it for dad?), Adriana and I tried out "Herman", our new GPS system and headed to the very same Girl Scout camp I went to when I was younger. Now, I actually knew how to get to the camp, but I thought I would see what Herman suggested. We quickly realized that if you think you know more than Herman, then you are probably right.
We made it to camp and had a great time over the less than 24 hours that we were there.
When I first signed us up, Cara had not been diagnosed. This was a weekend for Adriana to enjoy going to camp, and see if she might like it next year on her own. As it turned out, it was a great weekend for her to have some one-on-one time with one of us since everything that has happened. She loved it!
Gave us a great opportunity to talk. She even said she wants to go back next year with me. Makes you all warm and fuzzy inside, doesn't it?
Arriving at camp.
We were "hoppers" during the first meal. We set the table and cleaned up afterwards. (Mama, that would be a broom that I am holding. No, please don't faint, you raised me right. I think that was the only time that day I touched one. I promise.)
Adriana enjoying her s'more at the campfire that night, because what would a Girl Scout campfire be without a s'more?
The next morning, we took a small hike to what they call the observation deck. It was a nice view.
Apparently, someone had a little fun with my camera while I was changing to go swimming.
More vacation pics
We were on vacation for a week and a half. We traveled to Lancaster, Pa. to the Amish country/Hershey and then over to Philadelphia/Sesame Place.
As always, we packed too much into our vacation. Both places we could have easily spent a week and not have seen everything. We have decided when Jonah gets to be about Adriana's age that we will go back to the Philadelphia area and really tour it since we didn't see as much of it as we would have liked to this go around.
Ready to go to school, Amish style. This was inside the one-room schoolhouse we toured. Adriana said it was like "Little House on the Prairie".
In case you don't know what this is, it is a wringer washing machine. My children were fascinated with it. My granny had one until she sold it to some unknown person in town. Hers was in mint condition, of course, and I remember seeing in the basement area of her house.
This is the "alfa alfa corn" as Jonah called it. The Amish have two main crops they grow, corn and alfalfa.
This is an authentic Amish farm. Isn't the land beautiful?
Food, a major part of vacation, of course, and especially in the Amish country. Plenty of good restaurants in which to chose to eat. Kind of like going to grandma's.
More later.
As always, we packed too much into our vacation. Both places we could have easily spent a week and not have seen everything. We have decided when Jonah gets to be about Adriana's age that we will go back to the Philadelphia area and really tour it since we didn't see as much of it as we would have liked to this go around.
Ready to go to school, Amish style. This was inside the one-room schoolhouse we toured. Adriana said it was like "Little House on the Prairie".
In case you don't know what this is, it is a wringer washing machine. My children were fascinated with it. My granny had one until she sold it to some unknown person in town. Hers was in mint condition, of course, and I remember seeing in the basement area of her house.
This is the "alfa alfa corn" as Jonah called it. The Amish have two main crops they grow, corn and alfalfa.
This is an authentic Amish farm. Isn't the land beautiful?
Food, a major part of vacation, of course, and especially in the Amish country. Plenty of good restaurants in which to chose to eat. Kind of like going to grandma's.
More later.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Elmo's helper
While on vacation, we took the kids to Sesame Place which is just north of Philadelphia. It is a theme park/water park that is based on Sesame Street (you could probably figure that out, but I post that for a certain age group who did not grow up with Big Bird, Cookie Monster and their delightful friends).
While we were there, Cara was picked to be a helper in the Elmo's World show. I was so glad she got picked because she is constantly wanting to get picked when we go to shows like that. She tried a few days before at the Please Touch Museum, and she asked me then why she didn't ever get picked.
Her she is in her role. The kids are demonstrating how to be fish with Mr. Noodle. This is the first time I have posted video, so I hope it works.
Forgive the quality of the video. It was from my point and shoot camera, not my video camera and it shakes at times because I was trying to get Cara to wiggle like a fish.
Oh, yeah, you will need a password from me for this one. I just like being difficult like that and to cause my mother more confusion in her old age. :)
Enjoy!
While we were there, Cara was picked to be a helper in the Elmo's World show. I was so glad she got picked because she is constantly wanting to get picked when we go to shows like that. She tried a few days before at the Please Touch Museum, and she asked me then why she didn't ever get picked.
Her she is in her role. The kids are demonstrating how to be fish with Mr. Noodle. This is the first time I have posted video, so I hope it works.
Cara and Elmo from Vonda C. on Vimeo.
Forgive the quality of the video. It was from my point and shoot camera, not my video camera and it shakes at times because I was trying to get Cara to wiggle like a fish.
Oh, yeah, you will need a password from me for this one. I just like being difficult like that and to cause my mother more confusion in her old age. :)
Enjoy!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Start of vacation pics
Hang on, I have lots of them to share from our vacation. We were gone for a week and a half, and although we had a great time and overall everyone was nice we met along the way, I have never been so glad to see home as I was on Friday.
Here is one picture from our vacation to keep you all entertained while I take care of some business.
Yep, that would be the Liberty Bell. No, the kids didn't crack it. I promise. Not even Jonah went past the rope. Can you believe it? Hardly can I.
Can you believe they still haven't fixed that crack after all these years? Just where has our tax money gone?
Here is one picture from our vacation to keep you all entertained while I take care of some business.
Yep, that would be the Liberty Bell. No, the kids didn't crack it. I promise. Not even Jonah went past the rope. Can you believe it? Hardly can I.
Can you believe they still haven't fixed that crack after all these years? Just where has our tax money gone?
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Slowing down a little
We are back from our vacation and trying to slow down a little before leaving again in a few weeks for a few days. The children have attended three Vacation Bible Schools since school was let out, and we spent a little longer on vacation than normal.
Over the next few days, I plan to update this blog more.
Until then, enjoy the picture of our now eight year old with her birthday present. She decided this year she wanted an American Girl doll (my fault for turning her onto them). It's a "Just Like Me" doll. She has brown hair and green eyes, just like Adriana. She agreed to give up a party with her friends so she could get the doll. Less stress for mommy. Yeah!
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