Summer Fun

Once again, we decided to brave the madness and go see Thomas the Tank Engine at Strasburg Railroad.

The kids will earn free passes to ride the train later this summer through the library's reading program, so we did the same as we did last year and just watched Thomas come in and out of the station instead of buy a ticket to ride.

There was plenty of fun things to do at the station. Ride the Cagney Train and Cranky Cars, ($1 per person for each without a train ticket) take pictures with Thomas, eat a packed lunch (or buy fair food) and sit in the spacious eating tents complete with musical entertainment, and of course the big tent of merchandise.

Afterwards we got 2 single dips of handmade ice cream to share at Strasburg's Creamery. YUM!

It was great having Pete along for the day. (One blessing of not finding summer employment yet.)

We don't do things like this often, (ie: focus on commercial characters), but watching our kids enjoy themselves and being creative to stay within our budget ($26 total, ice cream included--not bad!), we had a GREAT time making memories.

Flowerpot Bounty

Earlier this spring I planted basil, parsley, spearmint (and a marigold to keep the squirrels at bay) in a large planter pot on our back deck. It EXPLODED into an herbal bush while we were gone last week.

According to a source I found online, herbs with a higher water content like these do well if frozen. I think I may try that, as there is no way I'll use all of these up before I need to clip some more!

I feel like a food network personality with these in my kitchen! :-)

What are your favorite ways to use fresh herbs?

Thoughts On Vacation

1. Once you have kids, vacation is hard and work...but an opportunity like no other to die to SELF, grow in grace, and practice contentment. A few days before vacation was to begin, I confessed to my mom that my attitude wasn't right. I was struggling--getting bogged down by all the preparation, anticipating a week that was more work than relaxation, and having a martyr mentality. I knew that Pete would be gone 2 nights and 2 days, and remembering the previous two beach vacations in which our children didn't sleep, suffice it to say my head wasn't in the game. THANKFULLY, this past week was nothing like the past 2 times! The big difference was that Natalia was older and Adam napped every day and slept through most nights. That meant I got a solid hour or more every afternoon to get cleaned up and relax. Thank you, Jesus, for answering that desire of my heart and providing time to rejuvenate.

2. Many hands make the work load lighter, even if it gets complicated. I love the planning part of vacation. I truly do. It's a sickness. :-) Even moreso, I love the way my family works together. Eager to serve one another. Easy to please. There may be alot of cooks in the kitchen, but no one person carries the load. The kids fight, it's noisy, our heads are rattling...but we love being together.

3. Vacations are a privilege. When I was growing up we didn't really go on vacations other than a weekend camping or going to the humble little hunting cabin my grandfather owned. My husband's family didn't go on costly trips either. It's only been since my teen years that my family has taken a bigger vacation occasionally. And even now, we plan a beach vacation every 2 years, and go before peak season starts. It's just too expensive otherwise.

I am grateful for the sober way in which my family weighs the monetary cost of such things. I believe there is wisdom in it. I think it is challenging for my generation and those younger NOT to assume that they should be able to enjoy the standard of living that many of our parents are only now being able to afford. Not all of our peers are in the same financial boat as Pete and I, but no matter what your household earns in a year, entitlement is the deeper issue. We have been talking about this a lot lately and asking God to show us how to teach our children along these lines.

4. Time away is good...but coming home is better. Everyone needs a break every now and then. Time to rejuvenate, to be refreshed. And how that happens for each person is different.

My husband tends to be reserved in public, but is energized by being around people and going places. I am generally friendly in public, but am energized by being alone and doing quiet things.

Needless to say, these characteristics tend to clash when we're vacationing. :-)

BUT, this past week they didn't, and I'm still trying to figure out how that happened! Even if that mystery is never solved, I'm just thankful we both came home rejuvenated. Another answer to prayer!

NOTES TO SELF:
1. FRACTURED PRUNE (hot, hand-dipped doughnuts originating in Lancaster) is now in OC, NJ! A comparison taste test between DOT's and F.P. is needed!
2. Dry-wicking capris and a running tank are very favorable beach attire--when you don't get in the water past your knees, who needs a bathing suit?!
3. Taking a book to read out on the beach is only frustrating. Instead, play with your kids in the sand and read when they're asleep.
4. Take dump trucks. They are the best sand toys!

Vacation--Part 2

DOT'S DOUGHNUTS--it's a tradition to get them to accompany breakfast once during our week.

Pete had to go home to finish 2 days of teacher inservice, so everyone helped color a sign for him.

Eli, taking a greatly needed snooze.
Bouncing a stripped tennis ball across the water.
All clean and ready for a nap.
Making kites (that we couldn't fly because it was too windy the last day).
Peaceful puzzling...until the fun part was finished and only solid black pieces remained. ;-)
Glued to the tube. (This picture seems to suggest serenity...if only. With a 6-1/2, 5-1/2, 4, 2-1/2, and 2 year old, do I really have to paint a picture of reality for ya?)
Morgan's cherry lips.

Practicing the alphabet.

Vacationing with 6 adults and 5 children looks like this:

Packed up and ready to go home...squinting into the sun for some family pictures.

What a great week with some of the people we love most. (Ryan and Sarah, we truly missed you!)

The Vacation That Almost Didn't Happen...

Saturday, a week ago, we packed the car to the gills, crammed in the kiddos, and headed east. We'd been waiting 2 years for this day. And 45 minutes later our car started bucking.

Last I checked, that is NOT a good sign.

Now, my husband is pretty handy when it comes to automobiles. He immediately went into diagnostic mode. But until we could find a shop open, we were in a tricky spot. (Don't forget the youngun's in the back seat who had been up since the crack of dawn , psyched and ready to be there already!)

We were 5 minutes from our rendevous point where we'd planned to meet up with my parents and caravan the remaining 2 1/2 hours together. Immediately, I began to pray; the lyrics of one of the kids worship songs that had been stuck in my head all morning suddenly seemed less random. :-)

Good and gracious

You're our Creator

Good and gracious

To all You've made You're

Good and gracious

You never change, there's goodness

in everything You do

~Good and Gracious, TO BE LIKE JESUS, (c) Sovereign Grace Kids

It was exactly what I needed to keep front and center in my mind! It positioned my heart to remain calm, to trust God, to be looking for His provision and goodness in the midst of circumstances where my natural inclination was to worry, complain, or throw a pity party.

Long story short, we were on the road again within 2 hours, thanks to Steven at the Shell station and a new spark plug. We were $40 poorer, but had food in our bellies, and immediately were able to see the many ways in which God had been kind to us.

We could have had to ditch the car and go home.

We could have been in the middle of nowhere when the car pooped out on us.

Instead, we were within a mile of numerous car mechanic shops (on the third try we found Steven), an auto parts store across the street, a sub shop where we could grab something to eat, it was a pleasantly warm (dry!) morning, there was a shaded area to eat and keep the kids occupied, and my parents were there to help us juggle the decisions and kids!

3 hours later...we arrived, everything was unloaded, and it was time to let the relaxation begin!

Here are a few shots from the first few days.

Avery, reinacting his initial reaction to seeing the beach, "Hey, there is no water at this beach!"

Early mornings = blank canvas.

The construction toys were in high demand in our little umbrella city.

The girls were much braver this year.

Natalia is our little water bug.

My brother Joe and sis-in-law Kim...and baby bump!

Grandma's still life w/bananas watercolor class.

Check in tomorrow for PART TWO...

Mushroom, Spinach & Cheese Quiche

I've been tweaking this one over the last few months. It started with a recipe I found online that was just okay. Four experiments later, it's the way we like it. Enjoy!

Mushroom, Spinach & Cheese Quiche
(Makes 1 pie plate, 6-8 servings)

1 prepared pie crust
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
¼ c. onion, finely chopped
Half of a 10 oz. pkg. fresh mushrooms, sliced
Half of a 10 oz. pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
6 oz. cream cheese, softened*
¼ tsp. basil
¼ tsp. parsley
¼ tsp. dill
¼ tsp. chives
¼ tsp. minced garlic
¼ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. black pepper
½ c. mozzarella, shredded
4 eggs
½ c. whole milk (or half-n-half)

*You can use 4 oz. herbed goat cheese + 2 oz. cream cheese instead of all cream cheese. Just eliminate the 4 herbs.

1. Prepare pie crust and preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Saute onions and mushrooms in butter over medium heat for 6-8 mins., then mix with spinach, cream cheese and seasonings and spread in bottom of pie crust.
3. Layer mozzarella cheese over top of spinach mixture, then gently whisk together milk and eggs and pour over top.
4. Bake at 400 for 15 mins., then lower temp. to 325 degrees and bake for 35-40 mins. more. Let sit on counter at least 5 mins. before cutting and serving.

Field Day and Preschool Wrap-Up

My girlie is going to be so bored next week...HA. Brings back memories of my childhood.

I loved school and was so sad when it was over, but summer vacation brought endless hours of outside fun with the neighbor kids. Still, there was that limbo stage at first when we didn't quite know what to do with ourselves.

That will be my daugher next week, I am sure. I can almost hear it now, "Mom, I'm bored." :-)

Tomorrow is the last day of Pre-school and today was Field Day--a chance for the parents and siblings to spend the morning with their pre-schooler, and get a glimpse of what the year has held.

There are 15 pre-schoolers, 15 high school "student teachers", and the fabulous Mrs. B, who teaches Consumer Science and heads up the Pre-school program at the high school. We just love her!

Today the student teachers had about 10 activity stations out on the softball field, and it was a blast...and VERY, VERY HOT! Natalia has been battling a sore throat and wasn't too peppy this morning, but Adam and Grandma and I had fun participating. Especially Adam!

Getting instructions...isn't he just too cute?!?!

Class picture. Natalia is in the back row between her buddy Miss Morgan and Mr. Austin. Also pictured are the high school students who help receive the preschoolers first thing in the morning.

The standard goofy picture.

Storytime to allow everyone to cool down.

Adam, busy making his trademark "pah-keen watt" (parking lot).And, Natalia with Mrs. B. You know how that first teacher holds a very dear and special place in your heart forever and ever? Well, Mrs. B is definately that kind of teacher!