Fun Times In the Summer

A couple weekends ago our family checked out the nearby canal, we've been down to the canal many, many times and it is one of our favorite spots here, but hadn't been to this particular area. We rented a canoe and a kayak to accommodate all of us. As Big J is the stronger one he got to handle the canoe for the majority of the time but we switched off for a bit. The kids LOVED this experience and it is probably will rank high on one of their favorite things for the summer. They loved for us to steer them under the branch 'tunnels' and while I had the two older ones on the canoe we found some ripe blackberries along the edge and were able to slide over and grab some for everyone. It was my first time on a kayak and I really liked it. Big J's trying to convince me to splurge and buy a few, but I think we'll hold off for a while. It would, however, be a hard choice whether to get those and a truck or a bigger house......

Michael's had these foam hats on sale 3/$1 so I decided they would make a great affordable summer activity. I wasn't sure how they would go over, but they have been wearing them everywhere. Love it! Fun and functional is hard to beat and it being super cheap makes it all the cooler. Fun times in Philly! The orangutans were at the Philadelphia Zoo. We got to see the new baby, Batu. The parents really liked to stay cool under the sheets. After the zoo we went to a playground that we'd heard about, Smith Playground, which is practically right next door to the zoo. They had a huge slide that you slid down on potato sacks with and the kids and us went down numerous times.

Other than that and our vacation this summer we've spent lots of time with friends, lots of time outside and on bikes, lots of time reading and at the library and farmer's market and lots and lots of time at the pool. We got discounted pool membership and the kids have had lessons the past three weeks. This is our last week of lessons but we still plan to go a couple times a week. B's swim strokes are really improving, little A loves having a class and little J, well, he's doing better than last year. We also recently went to the airport to check out the planes with some friends. The kids loved watching the planes take off and land and sitting in the pilot seat of this Cessna. Our summer is going by so fast!!!!! Only a month left!

NY/Canada Trip: Part 4: Finale: Watkin's Glen

We had our very own, in-camp witch doctor! B gets very creative while in the outdoors. She came up with this idea and how to implement it all on her own. And even got her siblings to help and made one for each of them too!

We stopped at the south end of Seneca Lake (one of the Finger Lakes in NY) and camped and hiked at Watkin's Glen on the way back home. This is one of the nicer camp grounds we've ever been to. Very flat accommodations (nice for tents), nice size and decently far from your neighbors. We did have a train that was quite a bit closer than we thought but with 3 kids that's one just one more thing to add the excitement and luckily didn't wake them the once or twice Big J and I heard it early in the morning. This time around we tried putting the kids in one tent and us in the other, but little A ended up coming in with us both nights. I had highly questioned whether she was ready. The other two reveled in their independence and were only slightly terrified of the Daddy Long Legs that creeped in between the tent and rain fly at night and the one who managed to make it inside. I admit, even thought they are harmless they are still a little creepy. We had a great time here; I love camping with my family!!

This bridge crossing in the top picture is the beginning of the 2+ mile round trip hike we did down and back up the gorgeous glen. It was easily within walking distance of our tent site and a nice trail. Little A has discovered silly faces, as you can tell. :) There was hardly a spot on the trail that did not have a large or small waterfall. It was absolutely lovely!!

The glen is SO incredibly green, particularly on the south face that doesn't get as much sun. There are bridges, tunnels, and waterfalls galore and it was all amazingly scenic.

There was a lily pond at the end of our hike and we stopped to rest and have a snack and enjoy our beautiful, lush surroundings.

Fun at camp! There was quite a bit of wildlife here. Within minutes of arriving at our campsite B had found an Eastern Newt (Little A, bottom left; species courtesy of J's sister, who studies Biology) and we all got a chance to hold it before putting it back in its home. It was a brilliant red and very smooth. We also saw and caught many tiny little frogs, the size of the end of my pointer finger. I already mentioned the Daddy Long Leg spiders and we saw TONS of them--there was a play structure in the shape of one (top picture) at the playground near our campsite. Little J enjoyed hearing my stories of Daddy Long Leg encounters growing up in Texas. Bottom Right picture is of the kids putting Little A to bed--the leaves are her blanket, of course. We also drove down the hill to an on-site large pool complete with diving boards and a larger playground. What a great way to end a fantastic vacation!! I guess we are considering this our last full summer in the area and want to make the most of it!