Visiting Friends

The girls and I recently visited our friends the Hoffmasters, who moved from Fairmont to Elkridge, MD.  We had a wonderful visit.  I had two favorite things about our visit.  First, the kids just picked up playing like they had just seen each other the day.  Second, when it was time to leave, they all were like, see you later.  I mean of course there were hugs and kisses, but they acted like it was no big deal and they would see each other again real soon. 

Sometimes it is good to see the perspective of a child or in this case children.  The kids don't look at the distance and the time apart as a big deal.  They know they are friends and those things don't matter to them.  The only thing that does matter is their friendship.  I think there is value in thinking like that.  Sure life happens, you grow up and negative things happen that affect us and change our view, but sometimes its good to view life like a kid and enjoy it because it is way better.

Here are the happy kids, Elijah, Isak, Drea, & Charlotte

Group Hug

On the first day we were there the weather was fantastic....we took advantage and went to the park

Char holding on for her life

Elijah posing for the camera....or just getting back up after falling

These two ran around this playground like crazy.  The were inseparable.

Charlotte holding on for her life again.  She kept saying, "Dad, help me!"  I kept saying, "Let me take your picture!"

Isak and Drea just playing.  This park was pretty amazing.  There were so many pieces the kids could play on, it was tough to keep track of them.  I wish I had more pictures from this trip to the park, but I had battery problems all weekend.

Look at us!

Isak, not wanting his picture taken

Jumping on the bed!

OK, I lied.....my real favorite part of the trip was seeing this guy

Cooper's Rock

The girls and I got lucky and had another great weekend of weather.  As we went about last weekend's trip to Richard's Farm, I thought it might be fun to take the girls to Cooper's Rock.  The weather was perfect.   It couldn't be more obvious by the crowd of people because there was less parking available then at SRC on a Sunday.  The only draw back was I was afraid Charlotte was going to fall over the overlook.  She is a complete daredevil.  Drea used to be the one that scared me, not so much any more as she has become a little bit more reserved.  Either way we had an enjoyable trip.

A beautiful view from the overlook

The girls enjoying another view

 

Drea not scaring me

Charlotte scaring me...notice my arm holding on tight to her...she kept saying Daddy why are you holding me.  This was my favorite picture from this weekend, so I guess it was worth losing a couple of years off of my life

More scary pictures



Finally just sitting and smiling

Just exploring the trail

The girls stopped to play in the sand.  This was their favorite part...

...They both said this is the best trip ever (keep in mind they say that all the time, I know their tricks)

That's the railing Charlotte was leaning on...

More exploring

Drea wouldn't go on this rock first...

...but when she did, she had to get her picture taken

FYI, they were looking at a Bear

Drea promptly hopped up on the stump and claimed to be the Queen of the...well, stump

Can you say Winter Park Tour

They were cracking up the whole time they rode this seesaw

3 and half swing rating

Shh...the cooper's rock giant is sleeping

Richard's Farm

Okay, so it is really Rich's Farm, but Drea keeps calling it Richard's Farm and I think it is cute.  The girls and I took our annual trip to the Farm for Kids Day.  Personally, I don't think it is worth the cost of admission, but Drea really wanted to go and kept talking about it.  Then, I debated going because of the weather, it was supposed to be in the 50s.  Anyway, I rolled the dice and we ventured to Smithfield, PA and hoped for the best.  One thing I have learned over the years is it gets really cold, so I made sure to bring hats, gloves, and warm clothes.  We started the day bundled up, but then something happen....the sun came out and it became one of the nicest days and trips to the farm.

This picture was at the beginning of the day, notice how dark it is and the girls are bundled up

This is the end of the day....sunny and no hats!

The wigwam

The wigwam with two cute girls

Bouncing on the tires

Still bouncing

All done

This is absolutely my favorite picture from the day

Charlotte would not look at the camera

Daddy and Drea

Charlotte still not looking at the camera

Swinging on the horses

Queens of the hay mountain

Look at the sky in this picture...also see if you can see the girls

Someone really looks like a scarecrow

Marching around the barn

Painting her pumpkin

Still marching

Still painting

Finally painting

The girls also traveled though a corn maze, pet some animals, and bounced in a bouncy house.  Overall, it was a enjoyable visit and I think I have changed my mind, it was worth every penny.