Maybe it was because we'd come from the rush and excitement of the city, I don't know.  Spending the day in Washington D.C. was...well, a very long day to put it mildly.
​     It all began with high hopes and good spirits, but after hours spent walking from monument to monument, we became tired and grumpy.  
​     The history and richness of our country's founding fathers was fantastic, don't get me wrong...but it was definitely an endless sea of "mall" that went on forever, and ever, and ever...  

    What can I say?  Taking four kids to the grocery store is sometimes an act in futility.  Packing them up to go into New York City made me question our level of sanity altogether.
​     Grabbing Adam's hand, we gave each other a quick squeeze with raised eyebrows and an expression of, "Let's do this" before letting go and hoping for the best.
​     We had a game plan.  He would guide the pack through the busy streets while the kids stayed like ducks in a row between us so I could anchor the back, keeping them together.   
​     The very. first. person. we came across was a man who spoke little to no English.  I began a quick conversation with him in Spanish to ask for brief instruction for parking while the kids lowered their jaws one by one.  They'd never heard me communicate in Spanish.  They'd never seen or heard a number of things and we immediately realized this was either going to be one of the coolest days of their lives...or a complete and total nightmare.
​     Adam sometimes goes into NYC for work, so he thought about how the day should go.  Figuring it'd be best to start off with a slower pace by exploring Central Park, then the American Museum of Natural History (the kids love the movie, 'Night at the Museum') we'd finally venture to the Granddaddy of them all - the hustle and bustle of the streets of New York, including Times Square and all its glory. 
​    I can honestly say looking back on the day, it was probably one of the most amazing of all times.  They say there's an energy there, a feeling like no other - and it's true.  The sights, sounds, smells of pizza on one side of you with perfume from an open store door on the other, it all floods your senses with a magic that only the city can do. 
​    I'm glad we took the chance to go.  To see the day through their eyes filled with wonder made everything complete and I can only hope one day to return.     

    I love to travel.  I guess it started as a child when my grandparents ventured around the world.  It was before the time of the internet, (gasp) so other than reading a book or watching a show about other countries, we would rely on their pictures and tales of adventure in the Outback or the Great Wall of China.
​    My parents have taken their place and spend their retirement in more fascinating lands than I can imagine.
​     We, on the other hand...have four kids.
​     The closest thing we'll have to a window of the world is a loop around Epcot Center at Disney.
​     This year however, we decided to give it a try (a little closer to home), so when we had Spring Break, instead of going south to bask in the sun, we took the kids north to introduce them to the history and sights of Philadelphia, New York City and Washington D.C.  There was even an enchanted day at a place called Winterthur with Fairy Gardens and magical lands. 
​     I'm excited to post pictures over the next few days and will enjoy looking back on our scrapbook of sorts until we can go further in destination while chasing four cats. 
​     Philadelphia was our first stop, holding more childhood dreams for my husband than anything else.  He's waited his entire life to run up the stairs of 'Rocky', only to throw his arms up at the top.  I swear the music was playing in the air and you're welcome, because I know it's in your head now, too. 
​     It was a beautiful day, complete with checked off bucket lists, history lessons of our country - complete with Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, only to top things off with nothing but the greatest American cheesesteaks.  Hooooooly moly the cheesesteak.  (Thank You to our most Awesome Friends who recommended the Best places to find one.)  Pat's King of Steaks was so good, it could make a grown man cry while the entire staff was beyond a Beautiful first impression to the heart of Philadelphia.   
​    So even if you're like us and traveling distant lands isn't really an option, this trip showed me there's a whole world waiting for you right outside your door...even if it's yelling, "Yo, Adrian!" while holding a cheesesteak...and that sometimes, is the greatest adventure of all.

                      Love to Philly. 

   My husband's Grandmother from generations back was a full blooded Seneca Indian.  It's pretty amazing to consider and I often wonder how that history was passed on to him and our kids as a result. 
​   When my Mom said there was a Native American gathering nearby, I figured what could be better than to see a tiny piece of their history - firsthand.
​    It was a beautiful day with awe inspiring, brilliant colors dancing with beats of song and drum. 
​     Any chance there is to look into one's past no matter how great or small, usually turns out to be an opportunity of a lifetime.   

   We were lucky to spend the day at Mom and Dad's for Easter.  Love and Chocolate were in full supply as we enjoyed watching the kids color eggs, then hunt for them in the back yard, then at church, while ending the day with a boat ride and a visit with some friends. 
​    We hope you had a Happy Easter for You and Yours!  Hallelujah, Amen!      

    The kids go to a school that's pretty much the most wonderful place you could imagine.  They have great teachers, great friends...even the fundraisers are amazing. 
​     What's not amazing?  Parking your van for one of those fundraisers and leaving the windows down...during a color run. 
​      For those of you not familiar with a color run, it's a ridiculously cool race with different colored chalky like bags of fun thrown on you as you pass by.  You'd think you would have to actually be IN the race to get the color all over you, but you'd be wrong.  I'm glad it's Easter this weekend because I'm driving a pastel colored Easter egg van inside and out. 
​    The day was successful and good times were had by all. 
​    Now if you'll excuse me while I clean the purple out of my ears.  :)