and wait for it....part two!

We traveled to the "Thickly Settled" regions of Massachusetts to visit my brother Jay.  Between rotaries and the road signs that say "Thickly Settled" you realize you are not in Kansas anymore.  We ventured out to see the local haunts and ended up at a butterfly sanctuary.  The boys were really freaked out by all the butterflies flipping and flying around.  

 Apparently I was the lucky one as one wildly flapping fella landed on my arm.

Here is a picture of me and Jay.  We snapped it at the last second before we left to prove that we were indeed there!

 Next stop, Concord, Massachusetts to see where the British were coming.  Below are the boys on the Old North Bridge.

We headed east until we couldn't go anymore and landed on Cape Cod.  Even though it was a bit chilly and we were the only ones on the beach, we dipped our toes in the sand for a bit.

 Ethan has always wanted to try sushi so we found a reputable Japanese restaurant and muddled our way through the menu.  Ben and Will absolutely love Mi so soup.

 Ethan absolutely loved the sushi!

 On the way home we stopped in Newport, Rhode Island to walk along the mansions on the cliff walk.

 For some reason this sign made me laugh.  "Stay on the path.  Steep cliffs.  High Risk of Injury"  I am especially fond of the illustration.  Ahhhhhhhhhh!

There is a total count for states visited and miles logged.  I will ask my statistically oriented spouse and fill you in later.

Position Available

My tech man has another job which has taken priority over mine.

Therefore, any available tech-ies can apply for the following position:

Novice Blogger Support Staff

Duties include but are not limited to:

1.  24/7 computer assistance and question/answer hot line.  Must be available at all hours of the day and night, when the need arises.

2.  Review of novice blogger's desktop and assessment of WHY said blogger is unable to access the Internet.

3.  Assistance when said blogger is searching for any of the following:  a.  vacation photos  b.  documents saved on the computer  (Typical question:  WHERE DID IT GO??) c.  answers to the meaning of life questions that randomly pop up.

Apply in person.
Position begins immediately.
There is no pay, only personal satisfaction for a job well done.

Vacation 2015 Part 1

It all began at the Waffle Shop in State College where the five of us descended upon good cousin, Garrett, who graciously let us crash at his apartment.  In payment we treated him to breakfast at this local well-known establishment.  

Next we took a boat tour through Penn's Cave, an underground limestone cave filled with water so you travel through it the whole time via boat.  So fun!  There were some tight fighting crevices where we had to lean in one way or another.  

 This was taken outside the cave as we turned around in a pond and were beginning to go back inside.  Our boat went into that tiny looking hole!  Crazy.

 On to visit friends in New Jersey where we went strawberry picking one day.

 Our kiddos love to play with these kiddos.

We visited New York City and saw some awesome Lego creations in FAO Schwarz.

 The boys loved climbing the rocks in Central Park.

 Wee William in Times Square.

 The view from the Empire State Building.  It appears as if both boys are nervous nail nibblers.

Empire State Building family selfie.  Yes, we are those people.

To be continued.....

Remember the days when I used to post ?

We wrapped up the school year in a blur.  I was "on call" for a kindergarten teacher who was prone to early delivery with her second child.  It turned out she made it to 39 weeks and I was only in for her the last week of school.  It felt nice to have a station though where I could leave my bag overnight if I wanted to!!  The last weeks of school were filled with field trips with Will to the children's museum.  Ben went to the local historical society and I traveled with Ethan and the 5th grade band to Carnegie Mellon University for a performance review and then on to Kennywood where Ethan faced his fears (a little) and rode TWO whole roller coasters.  Small steps, baby.

Here is Benjamin on the last day of school.  

Will and friends at his last baseball game.

This Memorial Day, my sister Dianne and I planted flowers at my parents' grave.  We figured Mom would appreciate the rocks, knowing how she loved them.    

 If you are spending eternity in one spot, this cemetery sure is a nice one.

Other than that we have just been putting in the hours getting the house and grounds out of the neglectful state we have let them get into.  We are heading across the state and into New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts for a little family get away.  Hooray for summer!!  

Fifth Grade Science Fair

Here's E-man displaying his science fair project "Cornstarch Monsters".

Yikes. Scary.

Today I ordered a pair of navy flip flop type sandals on amazon because 1.  I need a pair of blue sandals tow wear.  and 2.  They were on sale 50% off.  After I placed my order a little ticker came up at the bottom of the page recommending other items based on my order.  These disco pants caught my eye.  

Now, those who know me, know that I am not the riskiest of dressers.  Friends from near and far have shopped with me, unsuccessfully persuading me to purchase things outside of my comfort zone.  "Hey, I don't like things with two pockets on either side of my chest.  I just don't.  It draws too much attention to the area."   Suffice it to say, the sandals I ordered were pretty tame.  Perhaps a little navy blue conservative sandal warrants a bit more flashier item up top?  Perhaps?  Perhaps not.   

Needless to say, I did not "Add to cart".

CHOCO- late.

About a month ago, the family sojourned to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (Tourist mecca that it is) to the state competition for Mathcounts.  Kevin is the coordinator for the local chapter so each year, he goes to grade the problems of the middle school math prodigies.

Every year the boys and I tag along.  We run around the area in the morning until Kevin is done, then head off on a adventure.   This year we headed to Hershey, PA.  "It's a Hershey's Chocolate World!" people.

It is quite a fun little place.  We rode the factory tour ride twice (free and receive a mini Kit Kat at the end..bonus!),  enjoyed a delicious chocolate shake, watched a 4-D chocolate mystery movie (okay Hersheys stretching it a bit with the attractions) and then, dun dun duh, created our own chocolate bars.

We have been nibbling on those suckers for weeks now.  I realize that the regular Hershey bar is a thin amount of chocolate.  These babies were very, very thick!