Day 1 ~ Driving to the Falls

We're off! These blog posts are going to be really fun for me to write!

We made the decision to drive for this vacation. It was actually a pretty easy decision to make - not only did we want to visit two cities, but plane tickets were really expensive. Passport cards are also cheaper than passport books. Something we should have budgeted for? Toll roads. Yikes, Illinois and Indiana. We spent $14.40 in tolls to get to Ontario. On the way home, we used the GPS to avoid tolls; the only unavoidable toll was the $3.50 at the border crossing. I should also mention that avoiding tolls did not add any additional driving time AND we ended up avoiding some traffic in Chicago. Bonus!

We woke up early and left at 6:00. We tried to wake the kids up, so they could wave to us from the driveway but they were snoozing pretty good. All we got was muffled good-byes from little faces mashed into pillows. You're welcome for not posting a picture of you in your jammies waving to us, Mom! Thanks for being a good sport and getting out of bed to see us off!

We made great progress until the Chicago rush hour parking lot. Geez. Lost an entire hour here.

LOOK! We're at the border!!! I was Kid-on-Christmas excited. Seriously.

Love the maple leaf to mark the highway on the GPS. 

Hey, we can go 70 on the 402! Oh wait. It's not MILES per hour; it's KILOMETERS per hour. 

Accounting for the time change, it took us 13-14 hours to make it to the Falls. I'm honestly amazed how well this picture turned out. Tim was driving about 100 on the 402. HA - km/h people. Settle down. (Ignore the previous picture; the speed limit had gone up over 70 km/h.)

We were extremely fortunate on this entire trip. We had rain only once - overnight - and we rolled into Niagara Falls AFTER a big rain storm. (Pretty cloud!)

This was our first peek at the Horseshoe Falls after dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. (Gotta love Groupon!)

After dinner #selfie :)

Next post - exploring Niagara Falls!

- becky

Second Honeymoon

This summer, Tim and I are celebrating our 10th Anniversary. Our very special day still feels like it was just yesterday. We decided to do something we've not done since we became parents - take a trip without the kids. Oh boy.

Fortunately, my mom was able to come up to stay with the kids. Thanks, Mom!

Can we leave for the airport to pick-up Neena yet?! I'm all ready...well, my purse is packed. Actually, I have 3 purses packed, but I'm not dressed yet.

I can't wait to show Neena my light saber from summer school!

Okay, humans. I know something is up. I see your suitcase. I don't know what's going on, but I know something is different.

Almost to the Milwaukee Airport to pick-up Neena. First, we took a lunch stop at Cabela's. Delish!

Yay! Neena's here!!!

A bit nervous, but still excited...for both of us! Mom's first time alone with the kids for an entire week, and a trip without the kiddos for Tim and me!

Next stop - road trip to Niagara Falls, Ontario! (No passport necessary for blog readers.)

- becky

Book Review: Clockwork Princess

Clockwork Princess

by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Princess is the third book in the Infernal Devices trilogy written by Cassandra Clare. All three books take place near London during the late 1800s. Tessa Gray is caught in a love triangle between James (Jem) Carstairs and Will Herondale (*swoons*), but love isn't Tessa's biggest problem. She must stay away from the Magister. If he manages to get what he wants from Tessa, he may succeed at destroying the Shadowhunters forever.

I'd like to take a moment to give my niece Shelby a great.big.THANK.YOU. She suggested that I read this trilogy, and I am so glad that I did. Books 1 and 2 - Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Prince - were good reads, too; but I gotta tell ya' - Clockwork Princess was absolutely fantastic. I did not want this book to end, but when it did I was completely happy and satisfied with the ending.

Why did I enjoy this book so much? I think the setting had a lot to do with it. I've read another book from this time period that I truly enjoyed - The Night Circus. I'm thinking I should check out more books taking place in the late 1800s. Another thing in common was the fantasy genre. I didn't think fantasy would be my "thing" - though, I did devour the Harry Potter series - but the Fire and Thorns trilogy completely changed that for me. (You should most definitely check out that trilogy - whoa!)

- becky

A Classic

Isaiah and Mallory are so cute! It is so much fun watching them enjoy a movie I remember watching as a child. Our kids are - thankfully - not the biggest TV watchers, but they really seem to be enjoying Dumbo. 

- becky

Weird Animals (A.K.A. Vacation Bible School)

Vacation Bible School has been an all new experience for us this year. Isaiah and Mallory are definitely growing up...it's been quite obvious to us as parents this week. Tim and I have been so amazed by how much our children are now participating independently* in the games, Bible stories, and craft activities. I will admit that this independence in our offspring has been nice, but I think the word bittersweet describes the feeling best. 

This year's theme was Weird Animals. Along with a different stories from the Bible, we also learned about some kids who have been through difficult times - Autism (close to home!), bullying, cancer, and more. 

Outdoor Activities and Games was first on our schedule each night. Here is Mallory fishing with her feet:

Our second VBS stop was Bible storytime. 

Before the closing songs, our last station was Arts & Crafts.

- becky

* Don't get me wrong...our family has had our fair share of "I'm tired" or "Make a better choice" moments just like anyone else!

First Few Days

The first few days of summer break are always the best. It feels like the fun, relaxation, and down time will last forever.  While I love teaching, I truly appreciate some time off where my To Do List consists of focusing on my children and some neglected organizational needs around the house. 

Yesterday, Mallory wrote a story while I was on the treadmill. I'm really proud of her emerging writing skills!

"Once there was an owl in a tree."

Mallory wanted very much to read her story to Savannah.

A fun task...set-up the swimming pool! We upgraded from 22 inches to 30 inches deep this year.  :) Just the right size for Isaiah and Mallory to be able to splash around while Tim and I relax on the patio. I'm hoping I'll be able to find a small raft to float on instead of just sinking to the shallow bottom.

When Mom is a teacher, the poor kids will have to spend some time this summer keeping up their reading, writing, and math skills. (More on this in a future post!)

Even as summer is just beginning, my mind is already thinking ahead to the next school year. I hope that I am able to find a balance between relaxation, fun, and productivity. Here's to hoping my summer plans are not interrupted by a failing sump pump...like they were last year. :/

- becky

Summer of 2014

Finally. It's summer. I feel as though we've waited forever. It's finally here, and I am ready to embrace some relaxation time.

New seasons always bring new goals for me. Here goes...

• Get the kids registered for Fizz, Boom, READ! at the public library
• Of course, register myself for Literary Elements (the summer reading program for adults), also at the public library
• Set an alarm (I know, I'm awfully ambitious.) and get up before everyone else in the house to get on the treadmill
• BLOG (Here I am! Working on this goal already! Woo Hoo!)
• Take pictures of my family and all of our summer fun with a real camera...such better quality than just using my iPhone all the time!
• Keep Isaiah going with math and reading to prevent summer regression
• Stuff for school - oh, this list is long...
• Regular classroom set-up
• Reviewing first units of math and reading
• Find (and actually make) some fun new ideas - for decoration and learning - from Pinterest

Oh, and Mallory wants me to teach her how to read. :)

Happy Summer!

becky