Boston by Maya

      this is Bobby Orr after he scored his famous goal.

 

THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE MOMENTS.WE MADE A SCRIPT ON A PRINTING PRESS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Paul Revere - we walked part of the freedom trail and went to Paul Revere's house.  

                               Cannoli... yum!!!

Look at all the boats !                                                 

 it's beautiful!

League of Underwater Superheroes

The first thing i touched was a sea cucumber. It was very slimy, but who cares. Diver Ed used sea cucumber slime to spike a boy's hair. it was really funny--everyone laughed.

hello sea star

                         

 

look how big Diver Ed is!

 Don`t eat it Diver Ed! it's a sea cucumber.

there where dogs on the boat also. of course we got to pet the dogs

  

Acadia National Park part 2

Our first day at Acadia National Park we went to otter cove - there was a lot of rockweed and barnacles but no otters ☹️. After venturing to otter cove we went into town (Bar Harbor)  and looked around then got ice cream. The next day we did diver Ed. We got to pet many different kinds of sea life. After that we went to the sand bar and had a short stay cause high tide came quick. On Monday we drove up mt. Cadillac. Also I tripped

and got a bad cut. Also I recommend you read the next post Harold Parker State Forest.

Seb 

 

Acadia National Park part 1

Coming to Acadia National Park I wasn’t sure if I was going to have fun.But my mind changed pretty quick; Acadia is so much fun. You can go to tide pools or go to otter cove, otter point, seal cove and many more places. The drive there was five and a half hours plus stops from VT, so we went really far. Maine itself is beautiful, but Acadia just makes it more beautiful. We arrived at around 9:30 pm, oops a little late. So us kids got to bed late. If you want to learn more about our trip to Acadia National Park, read upcoming part 2. Before I say bye, here are a few pictures. -Seb 

More photos from VT!

First stop: Woodford State Park, VT

What a refreshing and invigorating view to wake up to! This is what we saw each morning at Woodford State Park in VT... just outside our pop us was a large reservoir surrounded by hemlock, beech and birch trees that reached for the sky. It was a very welcome view after we arrived in the pitch black dark of the night and pouring down rain to set up camp on the first night of our trip!

The kids had a blast exploring the surroundings. Maya caught a salamander for the first time and also completed the VT State Park Junior Ranger program, achieving the “Salamander” level. The boys found lots of bobbers and other fishing tackle in the reservoir to add to their collection.

We managed to get in a round of s’mores our last night and see stars beyond stars in the crystal clear sky.

We visited the Bennington Battle Monument, which is the tallest structure in VT and the 6th highest monument in the USA at just over 300 feet. The Washington monument has it beat by about 250 feet! The views from the lookout near the top allowed us to see for miles!

We are learning as we go... the parents keep looking for ways to improv our efficiencies as we set up and break down camp and finding ways to engage the kiddos - of all ages - in the process!

Off we go to our next locations!

Camping 2019

Our pop up debut!

As you can see here our family loves camping. And I'm in 4th grade this year, and there is an exciting thing that the national parks have created for 4th graders called Every Kid in a Park, and the whole family gets in free!!! I just finished 4th grade - the pass is good from September thru August of your 4th grade year. Because of this pass, my family and I will be going on many summer adventures in our pop up camper. I invite you to follow along on our journey!
- Seb

Glory days… Nicaragua 2012

It seems like we’re finally re-adjusting to life in the States, after having spent two weeks in Nica-Nica-ragua in May.  I’m not entirely sure why the re-entry transition seemed to be so tiring this time around– perhaps traveling with two small children while being pregnant with a third and chaperoning 22 college students on a service learning trip… perhaps having children that woke up around 5 AM daily in Nicaragua… perhaps thinking one day off before returning to work would be sufficient… perhaps coming home to super hot and humid weather… perhaps so many things! 

Regardless, the time was good, and our kids were in their glory! 

Here’s the evidence:

Seb was fascinated by these worm-like creatures that curl up into a spiral when you try to touch them. 

 

Hard at work with the big shovel! 

Nap-time: chair hammock style! 

Getting an early start on political education (note: Sandino on the left; Ortega on the right… for those of you for whom that means anything!).

End of the day routine – everyone asleep on the bus!

At the top of Volcan Mombacho, with Las Isletas in the background… Maya’s first visit to a volcano!

Family shot!

A whole big pile of sand! 

A ride on the horse-drawn cart!

Tuckered out after a long day… Baby and mommy, too!

Driving the big school bus on his 3rd birthday!

Birthday cakes – Seb’s choices from the local bakery: Clifford the Big Red Dog and the “blue dog!” :)

Our team – a fantastic group of college students from Allegheny College!  They were all such a wonderful help with our kids!

Sometimes in the midst of the hot, sweaty, tired, “wish I had a decent mattress and shower” mood, it was all too simple to question whether we had made the right decision in signing up for this trip, but… in the end, we’re so glad we could participate in the experience for the college students and the people of Chacocente (where we served) and that we could give this gift to our children.  We certainly hope that they will have many more opportunities to serve locally and globally on an on-going basis… and of course eat lots of gallo pinto, cuajada, tortillas, crema, etc.! 

Our Cuties

Just some great photos of our kids for you to enjoy... They were both helping Daddy rake leaves in our backyard!