Flying solo at Ridge Haven

Anna left for Ridge Haven with our youth group on Monday morning. I was a little hesitant about signing her up for a week away. She actually didn't even want to attend at the beginning to the summer, but after a couple of events with the youth group, decided that she wanted to go after all. I knew it would be a great way for her to bond with others in the group and have an awesome adventure on her own.

We definitely missed her, but followed along with pictures from her leaders. She was able to climb the rock wall, play games at late hours, work through the obstacle course, swim at the lake and pool and eat lots of carbs in the dining hall. One day the group went to Brevard to walk around and grab some ice cream. They even visited Sliding Rock to go down the really cold water fall. She did it once and was done!

Overall, she had a great experience and had tons of tales to tell us when we picked her up. The first thing she said was, "where's Paige!?" Paige was at a play date and apparently all Anna wanted was to be reunited with her sister. I guess I'm chopped liver, but I'm glad to know they love each other well.

It was strange not talking to Anna for 5 days. We've chosen to hold off on a cell phone for as long as possible. Because of that I got pictures from leaders, but didn't communicate with Anna directly. It was tough for both us, but when I reflected back on it, I'm not sure it was a bad thing. I'm glad she was able to have an experience where she wasn't constantly checking in and relying on me. It grew her confidence and independence even more.

We're all glad Anna had this awesome experience, but we're also glad to have her back home with us.

Mama Paigey week

Paige and I held down the fort while Anna was away at camp with our youth group. We sure did miss her, but we all had a great time.

sad faced after dropping off Anna

Monday
It was sweet to see the girls say goodbye at the bus when we dropped off Anna. They hugged a lot and Anna left Paige a note that was so sweet. She even let her take care of her blankets and animals while she was away. We watched our youth pastor's daughter for a bit so her mom could go to the grocery store alone. She's going to have a baby any day now so we were helping to keep an eye on them while dad was with the youth at camp. She reminds me so much Anna as a baby! Paige also declared that babysitting was harder than it looked.

I arranged to pick up Paige's best friend Sally at her camp around lunch time. We enjoyed some Moe's, a trip to the playground, some fort time at home and then a visit to the library to meet up with Paige's teacher. It was fun to see some friends we haven't seen since school!

Tuesday
We ran some errands in the morning and did a little shopping. Turns out online shopping was better for the couple of things Paige needed. Then we picked up Sally again and they had a great time at home, playing. We even did some dirt n' worms dessert.

Wednesday
Paige and I took on some craft projects in the morning. She made me my own bead necklace which I proudly wore to the movies. We saw Toy Story 4 and Paige HATED it! Her response could not have been stronger, but was so funny. The movie ending was sad and there were some scary parts with some creepy dolls. She was emphatic about never seeing it again! Paige also homemade pizza dough for dinner and it was delicious.

Thursday
We joined up with some friends to go splashing at Sesqui although when we got there it was closed due to a lightening strike. Fortunately, the weather has been great so we played on the playground instead. In the afternoon, we had a a friend over for some fun, sewed some felt animals and then painted our toes. Check out this baby bird she saved all by herself! She's always said she wants to be an animal rescuer.

Friday
Patrick was home so he and Paige went to mow our friend's lawn and water their flowers while they are out of town. She was a good helper all week. Then she and I went to see Sally in her Little Mermaid performance with the Columbia Children's Theater. Sally's mom and I are working on signing them up to do a musical together this fall. It will be great! Paige went home with Sally to swim and play. Then it was time to pick up Anna. These two girls had a sweet reunion with lots of hugging, talking and hand holding.

Paige and I agreed that the week together was great. She was basking in the solo attention and loved getting to choose whatever she wanted, but by Friday we were both ready to have our missing piece back.

Boston

It's been slow on the posting this week because Patrick and I were in Boston! He had a conference to attend and I decided it would be cool to tag along. So for our 15th wedding anniversary, we planned a trip away. When your employer pays for one plane ticket and the hotel room, it just means we can eat more food!

We arrived on Wednesday evening during the middle of tropical storm Barry. Yeah, it made it's way all the way up there. The nice thing was after the rain stopped mid-day Thursday, the high never made it above 70. Crazy! So that night we checked in and found Boston Burger Co. which had great burgers and these absurd milkshakes. We split this banana, peanut butter, caramel thing and it was delicious.

On Thursday while Patrick was at his conference I hung in the room a bit to let the rain pass. It gave me some time to get some things done and then I walked around the mall which is attached to the hotel and conference center. We laugh that no matter where I am traveling, I can always find a LOFT.

Patrick had a couple of hours for lunch so we ate at this place called EATLY which is essentially an Italian market square in one place. So many cool stalls like gelato, fish, sandwiches, salads, etc. Then we walked up to Boston Public Garden and Boston Commons. I loved seeing the place where Make Way for Ducklings, the famous children's book, was based on.

This squirrel was 8 inches from me!

That afternoon, I headed toward Fenway to check out the game scene. Boston is so unique in that it's a hodge podge of different buildings from residences to businesses to ball fields to historical markers all mixed up and then put in the city. You may see row houses, then a restaurant and an old church all within the same block. Fenway was so tucked into the scene that if I didn't know where I was going I would have probably missed it!

After a short nap, because I could do that!, Patrick joined me and we set off for our urban hiking mission of following the Freedom Trail through downtown Boston and up to Bunker Hill.

The Skinny House

We stopped along the way for dinner at The Union House, the oldest restaurant in America where Washington ate. We had to get the clam chowder and lobster roll.

Then we kept rolling to Little Italy where we stopped in Mike's pastry. It had a billion different options of authentic cannoli so we got lemoncello and oreo. Delicious! We made it across the bridge to Bunker Hill and then back to the hotel for a total of 14 miles in one day.

On Friday, the sun was shining and temps were warming so I set out to Harvard in the morning. It was neat to walk along the Charles River and through Boston University. Harvard has such a cool campus with neat architecture. I thought about stopping at the Kennedy Center to inquire about a job, but I'm not sure I could handle the Boston winters.

Patrick and I met up with a friend from DC for lunch back downtown. It's great that he keeps in touch with his former DC folks who continue to sing his praises, no surprise there. I hit a few places that afternoon to include Copley Square Market, the Boston Public Library and Flour for some Boston Cream Pie. The library was fascinating because it has a modern side and old side which take up one square block. In the middle is a beautiful courtyard and when I was there a young band was playing rock music...loudly. It was such a juxtaposition between quite library to all sides and rock music in the middle!

That evening Patrick and I went to an authentic Irish pub for some fish and chips. Notice a food theme here? Then we walked to Boston Common to see the Boston Symphony being live streamed from Tanglewood. Lots of people gathered to sit in the park and listen to their live performance and we saw a beautiful sunset.

On the way back we stopped at Max Brenner's chocolate restaurant for drinks. It was all chocolate and had a hip bumping music vibe. Love trying something different!

Saturday was our departure day although we got to sleep in for a bit. Patrick and I were on separate flights because we bought them at different times. We tried to move Patrick up to my flight, but an earlier cancelled flight meant it was overbooked. No worries, I volunteered to give up my seat and got a voucher for it! So that put me on Patrick's later flight and they reassigned our seats to the exit row. Bonus leg room!!

It was a great trip. I loved seeing Boston and kept thinking how much the girls would have enjoyed it. The subways system was easy and the food was awesome. It was also great to spend time with Patrick and reconnect. Meanwhile the girls were happy to stay with their best buds, the Powells. They finished out VBS to include Anna's finale in the skit. There's nothing like getting a text that says: you're daughter is pregnant. They were busy bees, building forts, slip-n-sliding, staying up late and playing animal rescue. We knew they were well cared for and having a great time.

I think they were happy to have us home.