Boxcar Rocks

It was the 4th time this summer we headed 81 North. What a beautiful view! I LOVE passing all those mountains. If you are with me in the car, you will hear me exclaim it the entire time "uhh, look at this", "ohh, look at those".. I always appreciated the nature. People who live in certain areas (mountains, lakes, even like Chocolate World or Hershey Park), we are so used to it that we do not even notice it. 

I have to say I do love state of Pennsylvania. It is amazingly beautiful state! 

The road to Tower City did not take us too long but finding the right trail did. Internet really did not provide us with reliable directions and of course, who heard about cell phone reception so high in the mountains?? When we finally found the road, I was amazed again. The road went up and up and up and so windy, almost 360 degrees at some parts. Crazy! 

We kept going until we thought what was supposed to be the right trail and parked. We were supposed to walk for about 1/4 of a mile and then see clearing on the right and turn there. We walked for about half of a mile and tried to walk what looked like a clearing. No luck. 

Surprisingly, kids were okay. Nobody whined or complained. Initially, before we left Kyra kept complaining that she can't climb, that she can't walk too far, that her legs would get tired, you name it. But she did not express much of complains here. 

She had fun with her walking sticks. 

Brandon said it looked like belly button, I agree :) it would have been a funny belly button but it is only moss

At some point we just decided to drive back and start all over from Tower city itself but Brandon saved us. He saw a parking lot with a gate before the trail. It was so far on the road, I did not see it. It happened to be the one. We did not know it was until we walked and walked looking for clearing. "Is that a clearing?" "Oh is that?". When we saw it, we knew, we had the right way.

On this picture you can not see but I noticed how in the row those evergreen trees were, like someone planted them on purpose.

 Me? and not climb??

 Both kids had fun posing the entire time, which is not like them. "Hi there!"

 Awesome view! That is how it looked!

My silly kings of the jungle :)

 Another one

 Why not?

"I want to try!"

 "I have to try since my brother tried"

 "I am that high"

 Can see how trees look below. Itching/scratching time :)

My wild man

 Both kids, actually, relaxed :)

 I think that is where I scratched my knee (our only injury for 3 of us). Brandon took a pic

 Cute one!

 Kyra developed an appetite for photos this time :)

 So did Brandon

 Love this shot with green in the background

Like a photo model :)

 I am telling you, she is enjoying it!

 One of my fav!  "Kyra touched the butt"..

 "It's a biiiiiig butt!"

 "Hey, there!" :)

 Beauty Nature

 "I am thinking over here"

 Love having both kids on the different levels :)

 Next three were our finale

 Running to the car to see who was the fastest when I said I would beat them all. I lost.

 Love, love love the view of our travels

When I asked the kids if it was worth coming in, they said VERY worth. Even whiny Kyra did not complain a bit when we got there. So fun! very unusual workout, being in the nature, see the beauty.. Priceless. 

When first we could not find the right trail, I told the kids that because they did not cry, complain, fuss or fight, they deserved Sweet frog treat. I am sure they would have been okay without it but it seemed like a good idea after hot workout on the trails. We enjoyed every single bit of it :) 

Life can be hard. But if you see and take plain pleasures - just being out there and enjoy quiet natural surroundings instead of cars roars.. I would take it anytime. 

What The Heck?

I should have guessed that with all those natural flavors now going far, they can make anything out of anything. But I still was very surprised when I found Amaretto flavored ice-cream. Of course, there is no alcohol, but still. "Snosberries taste like snosberries" ("Willy Wonka and Chocolate Factory"). That was in PJ Scoops.

Another interesting flavor I found in Sweet Frog was French Toast. Next time I want to try Roasted Marshmallows. Yum!

Summer, Right?

What else to do but ride bikes and scooters? Kyra loooooves her new scotter N and P gave for her birthday.

Legos, Legos, Legos

Kyra At 7

- height is 47 inches
- weight is 48 lbs
- shoe size is 1.
- favorite color - blue
- favorite book - none
- favorite board game - Life (really)
- favorite video game - Donky Kong
- favorite singer/band - BTR, Victoria Justice
- favorite toys - Mr. Puffy Fluffy (Brandon's)
- favorite cartoon - Tom and Jerry
- favorite movie - Despicable me 2
- favorite words "You are stinky".

Now does not run away from hairdryer

At night she is the one needing a drink, bathroom, earrings off, stuffed animal..and also hugs and kisses. Sometimes she lays there and plays with my hair :)

SHE CAN:
- take a shower on her own
- tie her shoes

LIKES TO:
- watch TV
- carry her stuffed animals with her
- tickle
- listen to music
- scare us jumping from places

WE STRUGGLE WITH:
- NON stop whining
- not turning the light upstairs and not flushing toilet :)
- being extremely picky eater
- wasting drinks, opening one after another

How Babies Are Made

It was my turn to lay down with Kyra for the night after I laid with Brandon for a little bit. When I did, she started playing with my hair and then out of blue she started asking:
- Mommy, but how are babies made? Mommy, how? Do you just need to think about it and they would come to you all by themselves???
Me:
- Brandon, do you remember how? Would you like to explain it to Kyra?
Brandon:
- I remember, but I do not feel like saying.
Me:
- Umm, well, Dad puts his penus in Mom's vagina and leaves a seed there. Then in 9 months a baby is born.
Kyra:
- Ewwww.. (thinking).. But where do you do it?? In a hospital???
Brandon:
- No, Kyra, you can not do it in the hospital! You can do it at home!
Kyra:
- Mommy, do you so that with Dad at home?????

I could not help but laughing and laughing at the way she was asking. At least she knows now :))

Sleepy Professionals (just like in commercial)

For the last few months both kids always ask if they can sleep with me on Friday nights. They get so excited when I say yet :)
I know it is not going to be forever, so I am enjoying it for right now :)

Usually I lay with each of them, rubbing Brandon's back while he puts his head to my chest and Kyra and me play with each other's hair.
I love my munchkins sooo much!

Then (8-12) And Now (8-13)

 REALLY???

Kyra Is 7!!! Happy Birthday!

I can not believe it. Seven. Where did the time go?? All that Kyra wanted for her birthday was Hershey park for the day because earlier in the summer she was finally able to do Superduperlooper and that is all she was interested. She did not care about friends' party, just Hershey park.

One of her favorite presents. Jimmy found it in the store - it is Chester like pen holder. In order to open it, you need to move his tale (works as a zipper :) very cute.

In the morning Kyra opened her presents and after breakfast we headed to HP. Lines by 10.30 were already long. About an hour or wait for SDL. We went to other rides instead to wait out. Brandon did Frog Hopper with his Dad, me and Kyra did Coal Cracker. Did not get wet. We had a snack and kids played a couple of games.

We ran a few other rides that did not have a weight and after quick lunch headed for home. Me and Kyra got the cake at Karns. Since she really is into BTR, I found BTR cake topper on ebay and Karns bakery put it on the top of her cake. She loved it!

While we were waiting for the heat to slow down, we watched Wreck-It-Ralph. So fun! In winter when Brandon was sick me and him watched part of it but did not finish, so we both were happy to snuggle and watch it.

We had supper and ate a cake and then headed back to the park till about 9pm. Lines were not so big. Me and Kyra did SDL twice.
Brandon was funny. He said that this ride should be called SingleLooper since there is just one Loop! :)

We had fun running Monorail as well. It has been awhile for this ride.
I did not take a picture of presents from Nanee and Pop since there were open at their house. But their presents were: Scooter in purple color, the horse Lego set, 2 DS games, 3DS case, Squinkies, Skylander figurine set (from Brandon)
Present from Adelyn and Caden were earrings in shape of a cupcake.

Kyra's presents from us. Dry erase board, Uno Attack game, leather notebook, Chester pen holder, creations to make art and earrings from Clairs - feather like she wanted and round like mine :)

My baby turned 7 and she is not a baby anymore. I love her soooooo much!

Kyra Is Having Sleepover (sing to the music of Sophia the First)

Kyra was soooo excited when Tracy asked if Kyra could have a sleepover with Emma. She picked her pj a day before (the ones that Emma likes), on the day of I found her with backpack on her back a few hours prior to the time she was supposed to go. She was so excited!
Tracy sent me a few pictures on the night of the sleepover:
Good night, Mommy!

 Getting ready for water balloon fight

Kyra busted hers. :)
Valerie, Carly, Emma and Kyra

Adelyn's Birthday Sweet Six Party in DC

Nanee and Pop took the kids to DC for Adelyn's birthday party for the whole day and me and Jimmy shopped for Kyra's birthday.
Looks like everybody had fun. Love the picture!

 Two cousins, so sweet!

 They were making necklaces out of gummy candy.

Gone Fishing

It was a nice day for fishing! Not hot, not cold, no humidity, perfect! We took off to Middletown reservoir. On the way there, Kyra started talking about Emma's family, because she was beyond excited that she would have a sleepover with Emma the following day.

While we were walking from the car, she said:
- Last time, at Emma's birthday Mr. Stephens told us what was in goodie bags and Mrs. Stephens told him he was in trouble. If he spills the beans again......
Me:
- Where did you learn this phrase????
Kyra (the most proud I have ever heard her be)
- Kindergarden!
Cracked me up! She has a great sense of humor, ata my girl! :))

So.. We found a nice spot. Not many people around, peace and queit, exactly what I was looking for. Brandon started first. Kyra did not care much, all she wanted to do was to play with the half of the worm that Brandon cut in half. I could not believe how big and fat they were! Brandon used his pocket knife and Kyra was happy to play with the what was left from that worm.

 She even called him Slimy :)

Absolutely LOVE this picture of Kyra

 8-year old fisherman

Brandon got one but the hook went right into fish's body, apparently Brandon pulled too late. Jimmy tried to free it, but it probably did not survive.

Then it was Kyra's turn. I have to say she was very absent minded. She was not watching the rod and when Jimmy told her to pull it out, she did but with big pause. She did not caught anything, but when she was fishing, Brandon and me went along the reservoir, we ran some and the rest we walked his hand in my hand.

Brandon tool the last fishing part and he caught the last fish in the right time, exactly when we said it would be the last pull out. He got it perfectly, Jimmy could let her go without hurting it.

At some point I asked Jimmy why he did not tell me I needed to bring a blanket. He asked why I needed one. I said because how peaceful it was, I was enjoying myself.

On the way back we stopped at Trolley stop for ice-cream and I was okay with not getting one until Jimmy pointed at the eclair they had in the fridge. At that point my hands started to shake, how badly I wanted one :) I certainly exxaguate but really.. I wanted it so bad. So much for trying not eat junk :)

Such a different activity. Perfect for warm summer evening. No rush, no noise, no fuss. Just little bit of relaxing..

Broccoli or Cheesake?

Kyra was supposed to have Emma over for 1.5 hours but Tracy and me talked for 1h 15 min after she dropped Emma off, so I just offered for Emma to stay and eat supper with us.

I took the kids to their school playground and then fed them supper and told them if they ate, I would drive them to an ice-cream place. That night we had beef stew and Kyra did not eat at all. Brandon and Emma picked Sweet Frog for a treat. I drove all three kids there and two of them got pretty good portion of ice-cream.

Kyra did not whine or cry. She just sat there waiting for us to finish. I thought I was being nice, giving her one (1!!) lick of my spoon. She wrinkled her nose and asked what kind of ice-cream it was. I said:
- NY cheesecake
Kyra:
- Ewwww, I would rather eat broccoli!!!!!

I could not help laughing. I said next time we are going to Melting Pot, I would order broccoli for her to dip in the chocolate! :)

Kyra Talking

Brandon kept asking Kyra for the his game she was playing. She got tired of his non-stop asking and she exclaimed:
- Oh, here it is, for CRYING OUT LOUD!!!

It was 6 year old talk. Cracked me up!!!

Knoebels

I got free $25 tickets to Knoebels and it was time to spend them! I have never been there but heard so much good about it!
Kyra's note to Dad :)

Brandon slept over at Brody, so we got him from there and were on the way. 1.20 min  - really is not that bad. Best part was HOW unbelievably beautiful 81-North is. I have never drove this way before so I could not stop looking at all the directions. I stopped at a couple of places just to take a picture.

When we parked, we had lunch and there it started... I applied sunblock to kids' faces and necks and neither of them liked it on their necks. I do not blame them but what can I do? It is summer and they needed sunblock. They both complained. Then they complained about this and that. And this person was wrong and this was not right and on and on and on. I was ready to turn around and go home at this point.

Many rides that Kyra wanted to try were for "48 height and she is about 46.5. Super close but not quite yet. Brandon did not want much to do the rides. Kyra asked me to do Wipeout with her. Then Brandon did it.

We tried Twister. This one was crazy! I do not want to go on it again. It was too bumpy, way, way too bumpy for me.
Brandon tried water bumper boats

Brandon was excited to try antique cars. And he was really good at driving them!

At this point kids complained about this ride and we did and then what we did not. At this point I noticed that Brandon's nose was slightly running and he was sneezing a lot and I was afraid he was catching a cold. Another thing, I think, because he was at Brody's, they never get to go to bed early enough so he is always tired after being there. I am sure it added.

So in the end I just got them fed, we each got desert (Kyra finally sno-cone, Brandon dippy-dots and me best peach smoothie ever with caramel popcorn) and we were on the way home.

Brandon slept almost the entire time. I could see he was tired. I really hope to get there next year when Kyra is 48'!