A Birthday in Historic Annapolis....

...Romero-style. We wanted to do something fun and memorable for Jonny's 8th birthday, so we took a drive over to Annapolis, Maryland's capital. We spent the hour drive teasing the children about our unknown destination. I think Jon may have had tears welling up in his eyes when he thought we were going to Ikea.

Annapolis has an nice, historic downtown area, with cobbled streets and narrow alleyways between quaint buildings. You know it's a cute town when you think your metered parking spot is adorable.


But the real draw for us was Ruth and Chick's Delly. Ever seen Man V. Food? Our kids have dreamed of taking on any of the many "food challenges" faced on that show. ...and so, when we saw the DC area episode, we knew this was the challenge for us.


You can't forget you're in a historic building while you're squeezing through a crowded diner, but everyone was friendly and they seated our giganti-family right away.


Instead of chips or bread on the table - pickles.


Boo was a big fan. Yes, his bin was full of pickles when we got there.


Cozy tried to hate the pickles (I think she was just feeling contrary.) but I saw her eating them...her nose all wrinkled up with feigned disdain...and sourness.


"Hi. Our names are Tony and Lia, and we like to eat food...even better if we think it's funny." So, we didn't take the exact challenge Adam (food host guy) did. We just ordered whatever sounded good...and 2 giant, 6-pound shakes. Mint chocolate chip for the birthday boy. Peanut butter cup for the rest of the family.


There were a lot of straws in that cup.


I think the serving sizes were pretty normal when you divided the shake between 7 people. It didn't take us long to finish it off.


Jonny, on the other hand, was determined to see how far he could get solo.


Not bad for a little guy. (We're just glad no one threw up.) Happy 8th birthday, Jonny!

...and made Beth do this...

While the kids were camping, I was chillin with my sisters. Garage saling with Rachel, shopping with Sarah, learning "why to can food" with Beth. Good times all around. It was so convenient to have everyone gathered in one place for me to visit.

Beth and James let us all invade their house for dinner, and, like any good guests, we made them do a home improvement project. ...well...we at least spawned the idea. Beth made it gorgeous all by herself.


That's a tiny, kid-sized bench in her entryway. So adorable. She painted the bench and mirror and sewed the cushion.

I did a little volunteer sewing on this valence....and Tony apologized to my brother for making him hang it up.


If he minded, it didn't show.

...and took the kids to cousin camp...

...which I was stressed about having on my to-do list, since it was delaying our move (that antsy-ness to leave!) That was just craziness, because it was wonderful of my amazing parents to have cousin camp. Due to transportation issues (15 grandkids in the ages 5 and up category this year), it was held in my parent's backyard (and forest). Large tents. Native American theme. Lots of joyful children.

Tony and I got to stay in the guest room - on vacation, with only one child to care for - and be cousin camp spectators...when we felt like it.


The first day of cousin camp....it rained...a lot. My parents were prepared and had a craft pavillion set up, where the kids made nametags (with their new indian names on them), medicine bags, decorated their hiking sticks and so forth. They were also decked out in their new, native finery. Grandma sewed "buckskin" shirts and dresses.




I thought it was very sweet that Annika chose "Red Fern" as her new name. We read Where the Red Fern Grows not long ago.


...and I wonder if Jonny knew that a "bear claw" is also a kind of donut?

We think cousin Rachel had the overall best name - Awesome Swan.


Boo was not interested in crafting or indian names or coming in out of the rain. He just wanted to drive his truck around outside with his cousin Lance.

...and had a goodbye picnic...

...with my awesomest neighbor...by far...ever. What's so awesome about my neighbor?
Well, she has all of these amazing skills.

...kid herding skills...


...chalk writing skills...


...kite flying skills....


...and that doesn't cover half of it! She can fix bikes, grow food in her back yard, and I'm sure anything else she has a mind to do. I sure miss looking out my window and seeing a good friend.

We found this street for you, Kyrsten!

Before we left WA...

...Boo "graduated" from preschool (although, if it was a real graduation...he probably would have been held back. It's not an intelligence issue. It's a cooperation issue.) Still, I think preschool was a good experience for him, and he may have said he hated it....but he was always happy to go. :) (I think he just wanted to try out some tween vocabulary.)


James, sitting on his circle - being so deceptively good.


....getting his diploma.


He's such a sweet little guy. I'm looking forward to doing school with him at home this year!

More Hershey Highlights

We just got our internet hooked up today. It's so fast! ...and so better than going to McD's to mooch off their wifi!

I'm busy with lots of projects (fun stuff like painting and weeding - aren't you jealous?) and unpacking craziness, but I thought I'd check in.

...and to tide you over, here are some more Hershey pictures to make you want chocolate...if you didn't already.

Anthony - putting his well-earned money to good use.


He shared.

Sofi and BooBoo standing in my favorite section of the gift shop.


Doesn't Boo look happy to be there!

Hershey Chocolate World

We went for a trip down memory lane. Chocolate World is one of the places we took Anthony and Sofia to a lot when they were cute, little toddlers (and we were on the east coast for a while). They loved it and could go on the "tour" ride over and over.

Of course they didn't want to go today, because it's a "little kid thing" that they were way to grown-up for. I told them that their Dad and I were too grown-up for it too...but we do things as a family. And sometimes it's just fun to watch the younger kids enjoy something.


As it turned out, it was fun to watch the older kids enjoy it too. Who wouldn't like singing cows and going through a roasting oven like a cocoa bean? Besides, it smells heavenly there - chocolate!

...and, by the way, we have all of our household goods safely in our new home...which is why we're in PA - avoiding unpacking.

The Good-bye Quilt

I know I've been neglecting my blog. It was sort of inevitable with all of that moving business going on. Everything went smoother than we thought possible....better than we could have planned....things that nobody could have done for us just worked themselves out.

Locking up our old house and leaving was sad (and a bit traumatic for Cozy), but I felt a huge burden being lifted from my shoulders when we left. Once the house thing was resolved, I felt like I was on vacation (and I really was, since FIVE of my kids were at 'cousin camp')...and could just enjoy that last long weekend in WA with my family. I got to spend all kinds of time with my siblings and parents! It was great.

One big 'to do' on my list was a quilt for our long-time violin teacher. She was the perfect teacher for us. Patient, unorganized...and in for the long haul, in spite of our sporadic practicing and sometimes uncooperative children. How long haul? Well, this picture is from the last time we moved away from Port Orchard.

She brought me a quilt someone had given her - unfinished - decades ago, and I quilted and bound it for her.



I'm not sure I would have done it for anyone else (queen-sized!)....but don't think I'm too nice...I traded my time for lessons.