Spring Break Part 1, Maryland

Wow, spring break isn't even over and I'm actually posting about this already!  I have a "goal" of keeping up to date on my blog, and it rarely happens.   Every year I try to do better.  We've been doing a lot so far this break so there will be a couple spring break posts.  I hope to re-start working on a blog book too next week. When my blog is behind I feel like I have to catch that up before I can work on the book.

First off, Cal had his second track meet and the weather was quite different than the first.  It was GORGEOUS out!  And sadly, we missed seeing Cal run the 1600 meter!  I thought he was doing the 4x4 at the end of the meet, but that event for him was canceled.  Not sure why.  I was one of the timers for most of the track meet as well.


His friend Kyle was at this track meet.  It was fun seeing him.


Elden and I went on a date that night.  Going to McDonald's to get a kid's meal is popular with the younger kids.  We also went to the community center to play ping pong and a game of pool.


One afternoon the girls did a lot of playing together.  I love when they play together.  They had a fun time walking to Family Dollar with Elden to buy a baby pool with combined money.  I wanted to a get a picture of them walking home with it, but they went in the back way and I missed it.  That night after playing in the pool they had fun eating ice cream together.  All the boys were at scouts that night so it was a girls' night home.


A random tulip Elden found outside.


In preparation for spring break I bought Camelbaks for all of us (except Lee already had one).  We had two small Camelbaks, but I forgot one at the Highbridge Trail and they didn't have any storage pockets for snacks and whatnot. I've always wanted to get them for everyone and finally did.  I used their savings to pay for them so it worked out beautifully with my budget. Ha ha.


I got the same size at the girls.  I think I like that size, but I might get a bigger one like Clark and Lee's.  Not sure.


Right before the break I chatted with our elementary school's principal about this book again. I told him I had a copy of the book, but never had given it to him.  He was interested in it and knew he would have some time over the break to read some.  I finally gave him one and went over and talked to the middle school principal and gave her a book too.  If any of your kids use electronics, this is a must read.  It's so good.  We don't do any electronic games any more at our house and use the computer only as a tool.  We still watch movies and use our Roku. 


The boys rode bikes to school that week and it was fun seeing them parked outside.


Lee got a new bike "rack" that goes over the tailgate on the truck.  It's awesome!  And it can strap in six bikes!!!  Apparently it's great for strapping in kids when you need too also......


First up on spring break, a quick trip to Maryland.  I drove up Sunday night.  The kids had fun playing while Lois and I talked.  The next morning they played some more.






I really want to get some Keva planks!  Did you know their company is based in my little town?  Pretty cool.






We eventually headed out to Baltimore.  First stop, a park.  Clark had fun flying his drone there too.




Next stop, Ft. McHenry.  The kids did the little ranger badge thing and we watched a movie about the historical significance of the fort.  This is where Francis Scott Key was out in the bay and didn't know who had won the war the English and US were fighting.  (The end of the war of 1812.)  He saw in the morning light the United States flag flying from Ft. McHenry and he penned some of the words that later became the national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner.  It was really cool at the end of the movie they raised the screen and showed the flag outside.  It was super awesome and I almost started to cry.


My kids liked this "caution" sign. A banana peel...clever.


The kids had fun touring around the fort.














We found this statue...I don't even know who it is!  But we had fun with Clark's sunglasses on it.  He looks pretty cool with blue RayBans.




Love that we were on the bay.






Later that afternoon Lois, Cal, Shanna, Haley and I went to Trader Joe's.  I love that store.  I bought some snacks, oranges, tulips and cupcakes. Shanna and Haley wanted to go to find the bear and get a sucker. I actually spotted the bear first.  The girls then hid the bear.  


That night at Lois' after a yummy dinner, she did a fun FHE lesson.  She showed us pictures of the last few days of Jesus Christ before His crucifixion.  We had fig newtons when she talked about the cursed fig tree, ate tortillas and hummus for the last supper.


The kids made tomb rolls when she talked about His resurrection.


We all enjoyed the special FHE lesson.  And my kids loved the fig newtons.  That night before we headed home we stopped at a mall so I could returns some belts I ordered online. The kids had a race in the parking lot. Don't worry, we did it after that car left and traffic was clear.


Thanks Heits for the fun start to spring break!