Monday, July 20, 2009

Our road trip

Last week I took J and B on a little road trip. Our first stop was Albany, NY where we just spent the night on the way to NJ. I took this picture at 3:45 a.m. It's evidence that when J and B are given more than a single bed to sleep in they end up sleeping sideways(one reason Jeff and I don't like sharing our bed with the kids!)Next stop, Pennington, NJ. We were visiting a friend of mine and her three kids. B was quick to make friends with 6 year old Jack.That evening we caught fireflies. J and B had never seen them before! I loved catching fireflies as a child growing up in MA but I don't know if we're just never outside at the right time but I don't seem to see them up in VT(maybe it's too cold for them???) Anyway, they really enjoyed this activity!And there was the night time bouncing on the trampoline. We had lots of fun-thanks Lisa!Then it was off to Philadelphia to chat with Betsy Ross and see her house.We viewed the Liberty Bell.And saw where the Declaration of Independence was signed.We learned all about Ben Franklin and saw where he lived. The kids are holding up flags that they got while touring historic Philadelphia. There are 13 storytelling benches where you can sit and be entertained by wonderful actors as they tell you a story. After listening to the story they give you a star to put on your flag. This was a great way to keep the kids interested in all this history!We took a Duck tour of the city.And played a lot in the hotel pool. I didn't get a picture but there was a wonderful market(Reading Terminal Market)right next to our hotel. They sold anything and everything you could possibly want along with Amish goods. We had fun there too!Next stop-Mystic, CT. My sister's family joined us there. The first day we went to the Mystic Aquarium and saw the beluga whales.We also learned about piranhas. We took in a sea lion show.
And we enjoyed feeding the sting rays. We decided it felt a little like a vacuum when they take the food from your hand.

The next day we visited the Mystic Seaport Museum. We were thrown overboard by a whale.


We saw a little play about life on a whaling ship.



Here is a picture of the last wooden whaling ship. I think this ship was built in about 1840.



The kids enjoyed going on the ship and seeing how they lived while out at sea.

We saw a wonderful magic show.


We learned that the terms upper case and lower case letters came into existence because in print shops the upper case letters were stored in the upper case, lower case in the lower case.



We learned how to make some knots.



And we played Skittles. B loved this game!



It was a beautiful day at the seaport!





Tomorrow we return to VT.





























































































































































































































































































































































5 comments:

  1. That's quite the road trip! What fun stuff you've been up to! Were you surprised that the Liberty Bell was so small? I remember that being the first thing I thought when I saw it was that it was SO small compared to what I imagined in my mind. :)

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  2. Wow...I would sure love to learn about history in your area of the country. Your trip sounds like so much fun. I've never seen a firefly before...perhaps it's too cold in Washington to?

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  3. You take the most interesting road trips! I love the idea of sitting on different benches and being entertained. The whales are gorgeous and the kids look like they had a great time :0)

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  4. There are indeed fireflys here in VT. We have already caught some this summer. I think you have to be out after 9:30 or so.

    Great trip!! I think I have to replicate it. I also like the idea of sitting and being entertained!

    Welcome home, it's raining, if you didn't notice:)

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  5. Awesome trip!!! I'm going to get Primrose over here to check out your picture of Betsy Ross. :)

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