Park Quest Update

Well the summer is just flying by!  A little over a month into our Park Quest we have completed 7.  Most of the parks we have visited I have never been to before.  I don't know about the kids but I myself have learned quite a bit.  

Last week we visited Dan's Mountain near Frostburg, MD.  This is a park that is definitely tucked away and had it not been on the list of parks with quests I don't think I ever would have gone.  We trekked through the woods for our quest all the while I was thinking of "lions and tigers and bears, oh my".  We saw some suspicious tracks but I cared not to dwell on them and just make as much noise as we possibly could plus it was really hot that day.

After we were done our quest we headed into Lavale for lunch and then we headed back to Dan's mountain because they have a pool.  It wasn't as crowded as I thought it was going to be and the water was cool so that's all that mattered on a 95+ degree day.  The pool wasn't your typical chlorine pool.  It was salt water with just a small hint of chlorine which was nice.  You didn't leave with your eyes burning and smelling like it.

It had two water slides but I didn't think Logan was ready to do it yet.  I couldn't have one do it and not the other.

Can I just say they crack me up with their goggles on.

Doesn't she just look uncomfortable?

He's were so loose I'm surprised they stayed on.

Now I have to decided which one we will conquer tomorrow.  It's suppose to be another scorcher tomorrow as well.  To bad all the parks don't have pools.

Goodbye Kindergarten

Today Logan had his kindergarten graduation.  I knew this day was coming but still it was bittersweet.  While Rob and I made the decision a couple of months ago to put him into the public school system I wondered today if we were making the right decision.   Here is a school that has turned into a second family.  All the students and teachers know each other on a level you can just never achieve in the public school.  The closeness with the students he developed and I wondered should he stay.  I still think it will be better for him to move on but maybe my doubt is part of the unknown in how he will succeed with a larger class size and more distraction.  The Christian school has helped shape him with respect and responsibility and I can only hope that we can keep that moving forward.  

The graduating class of 2012

He received an award for social studies, outstanding improvement in reading, library award - Fruit of the Spirit Joy, Music, math achievement, counting and number recognition and a leadership award.

Here he is getting his diploma.

How does this picture not make you smile?  

We had a picnic lunch afterwards which was nice.  Autumn and Logan played with the other kids for several hours while I chatted with the teachers and other mothers.  Now the summer officially begins for them.  Friday Fun Days, Park Quest, Sailabration, vacation and YMCA here we come!

Outdoor fun

About 1 month ago I stumbled upon something called Park Quest that the State of Maryland has held for the past several years.

 What it is are certain state parks through the state that are participating in quests.  This year there are 23 parks participating and each one has its own quest.  It is only opend to the first 1000 registrants beginning on May 14th.  I figured this is a great way to get out and be active as well as see parks we wouldn't normally go to. This could be our Friday Fun day activity.  Since we get in for free this will definately save on the wallet. When I registered 30 mintues after it opened online I was already 719.  It filled fast to say the least.  Our passport arrived in the mail the other day and the quests officially start this weekend.  In September they will have a gathering at a park for those that have completed at least 10 of the quests.  I'm excited, I don't know about the kids.  All I can say is it is better then sitting at home.  Let's get out and be active!

Wow!

I can't believe it has been a little over 18 months since I have posted on my blog.  I kept saying I need to post but time just got away from me.  Stay tuned.  I have lots going on.

Happy 5th Birthday Logan

It's hard to believe that 5 years ago I was faced with the fear that no mother should ever have to endure.  I was sent in for a sonogram at my routine check up because I demanded something was not right.  Something had not been right for 2 months but the other doctor just passed it off.  Nothing like being left in the room while the sonogram person went to go consult with the other doctor, then being told I had to go to my obgyn.  Driving through tears only to be told when I got there my baby was not doing well in-utero and he needed to be delivered today. Today just shy of 35 weeks.  You see he had not grown, there was no fetal movement but his heart was still strong.  While they pumped me with fluids and consulted with the hospitals in Baltimore.  I finally settled into the ambulance.  Half way there his heart rate dropped and he was in serious distress.  We were detoured to another hospital and once arriving we were told they could not accept us due to no room.  What!  We were then diverted to Hopkins. 

In the mist of all this I must admit I had completely detached my self from the situation.  I was planning my sons funeral and how to get rid of all the stuff I had for him, I didn't want the reminder.  47 minutes after arriving I delivered a 3lb 4oz 15 inches long baby boy naturally. With the stress I went into labor on my own.  His name would be Logan. 

Logan you have taken me to realms I could never have imagined.  Some of them good some of them bad.  It's been frustrating and challenging to say the least.  But through all that you've brought us laughter, a new perspective, joy and love.

I never thought I had the strength to get to where we are but you made me prove to myself otherwise. 

For now I just want to enjoy the snuggles, the hugs and kisses, the I love yous and your excitement and adventure for anything new.   Just know I that I will love you forever and always.

The last two

I never posted the last two Friday Fun Day pictures.  I must say it was fun finding something do to each and every Friday and making sure it was a surprise for the kids.  We ended up at the Land of Little Horses in Gettysburg one Friday.  Both kids loved it!

They were so excited to see where we were.

There were lots of ponies to see.

And goats

They even got to groom the ponies.

These were pretty cool.

We got to go on a pony ride.

Logan doesn't look thrilled but he kept asking to ride a pony for the next week.

They had a blast on the peddle tractors and bikes.

This place was definitely a hit.

The next Friday Logan had to go to the dentist first.

He doesn't look too thrilled to be at the dentist.

For a treat we got to go to McDonald's afterwards before we headed home to pack a bag grab our swimsuits and hop on the road to Rocky Gap State Park.

I had never been but it was quite nice and very picturesque.

The water was a little chily at first but then the sun came out and it warmed up.

We made friends.  And that chair in the water is where I parked myself.

Logan had fun swimming.

They both would walk up the beach and then run with all their might and splash into the water.

I will miss summer but boy am I ready for cooler days.  This summer was just brutal.

Getting into the swing of it

We are finally getting into the swing of being back to school.  Chasing the kids out of bed at 6 AM M-F is a chore in itself.  Both kids are wore out by the time they get to Grandma's at the end of the day.  So then I am on a marathon to pick them up, make lunches, go through all their papers, cook dinner, have them take showers and read a story.  They are going to bed between 6:30 - 7.  If I keep them up any later than that on a school night the next day will not be pleasant at all.  That is one of the downfalls of living in the boonies.  But we manage even if for two weeks I just want to bury my head under the pillow.  Today I wished I had done that.  You see I happen to be driving to work when I saw a spark come from my rear tire.  I pull into the elementary parking lot and look at my rear tire that has some pretty flames going on.  So I grab my water bottle and luckily had enough water in it to put it out.  I went and got more because it was still throwing off some serious heat.  That's how my day started.  Nothing like commuting to work in an old worn out tow truck.  Oh well.

So now with Autumn back in school and Logan having started his all day preschool, I have Fridays all to myself.  What am I going to do?  I must admit it is very strange and quiet.  But boy can I get some stuff done.  The past two Fridays I've gone to a couple of yard sales with not much success, but I've been able to clean, organize, throw things out, make a pile for goodwill and price things for next years yard sale.  I've also started on my china cabinet as well as start on priming my hallway trim and eight doors.  I need to fill in place with caulk and putty before I put another coat of primer on.  I also have the outside at a work in progress stage but I'm totally stuck and don't know what to do.  It just doesn't feel right just like it didn't feel right before I started on it. I'm definitely gonna need some help and ideas.