Family Vacation 2014: Day 1

This summer we didn't block off days for our family vacation until we had filled in all our other summer activities.  This was, of course, a bit of a problem and really only left one three-day weekend to play, but play we did.  This year, we took and Oklahoma vacation and focused on "Chickasaw Country" in south central Oklahoma.  I'm breaking it apart by days so as not to overwhelm you with photos :)

We started with Starbucks, which was more a treat for Mom and Dad than anything, but fun :)

We arrived in Pauls Valley around 9:40, which left us 20 minutes before the Toy and Action Figure Museum opened so we headed straight to the train depot. The Amtrak train was just doing its morning stop so we saw the current passenger train juxtaposed against the backdrop of the older train and caboose in the park.

B was big enough to climb all over by himself.  The others needed a little help, but everyone loved the trains.

Yes! Three in one photo, even if they aren't quite smiling, we'll take it!  Wandering the park also left Brent and I some time to observe old town Pauls Valley, and M some time to examine the outside of the depot buildings.

Next up: 10am Toy & Action Figure Museum with the Hoppers.  E loved the bat car.

Nate was obsessed with this Harry Potter outfit.  Everyone loved this room as there were lots of toys and costumes to try out.

This is probably my favorite picture. To the left is one of the huge displays and to the right our crew, partially in costumes and partially not, but all having a great time.

From another angle.  The Moms and Dads got to tell the kids all about toys we recognized from, as Nate put it, "our days."  After an hour and half or so, we headed to lunch at the Pig Shop on Anna's recommendations.  The good news is we happened on to Anna's mom and sister, and had a delicious lunch.  The less good news is B threw a fit about something random and was carried out crying by Brent.  Embarrassing and a mood killer.

Next up: Stratford peach festival.  The good news is M & E got to ride ponies again.

E loves it, in particular, and was so sad to get off of his horse tickles.

This is the closest we got to peaches -- bluebell peach ice cream--- I kid you not.  They were sold out of peaches and we didn't even find any peach products to buy.  We did remember that we don't like festivals or waiting in line that much.  We had delicious kettle corn and shared the "experience" with the Hoppers, Sandifers, and Carrs.

We bid our friends adieu and headed back to our hotel.  I "had" attempted to reserve a room at the Artesian.  It was supposed to be the splurgy part of this trip, but on Friday noticed I didn't have a confirmation and my credit card hadn't been charged. I called and, of course, no reservation.  Luckily, Brent found a room at the Days in of Pauls Valley.  Not as splurgy and no pool.  However, our kids positively adored the hotel and thought it was the coolest thing ever.  The free morning breakfast was also a huge hit and saved us probably $20 a day.  We promptely spent that $20 down the street at the Pauls Valley Aquatic Center.  We spent 1.5 hours there the first day and loved every bit of it.  There were slides, a long lazy river, a DIVING BOARD, lap pool, kiddie play area and small fish slide where E took up permanent residence.  It was also nice, clean, and not crowded.  Definite win all around for our crew.

After swimming we changed again and headed to Tios, also an Anna recommendation.  It was positively delicious and our kids loved it too.  They ate everything and B pronounced it an instant favorite.  (Thanks, Anna!)

After that, it was back to the hotel, and 12 hours of all trying to sleep in the same room.  It went OK, but was a little tricky at times as you'd imagine.

Day 1:

Where we went:
Pauls Valley Santa Fe Depot & Park -- (Museum was closed)
Toy & Action Figure Museum - Check for groupons as you can usually get 1/2 off
Stratford Peach Festival
Pauls Valley Water Park

Where we Ate:  We have rule against eating at places that exist in Edmond/OKC while on vacation so you'll see lots of local choices each day:
Bob's Pig Shop
Tios

Where we stayed:
Days Inn - Pauls Valley

Ten on Tuesday

1.  Good news! IRSP is over!  It went out with all sorts of fun in the last week including Brent attending a OKC Redhawks game and everyone getting a Redhawks hat.  (Yes, getting all three of them to look good in a photo is a struggle). I am so delighted when Brent just comes home at the normal time now.  It is great. Also, E does not have red hair despite this photo...

2.  For Father's Day we grilled for Brent's parents and they brought all of our kids Superman capes.  M tells me we now have six Superman capes, which is great, right?

City Hall

3.  My trip to Philadelphia went well.  I had some good sessions and wonderful time with friends and colleagues.  My tourist time began with a run on Thursday morning.  It was beautiful and I ran a 9 minute mile (which is big for me whose life goal was to be running 10 minute miles). Also a miracle as I have been running much less lately.  It felt great and I was just sure I'd be running Philly a second time on Saturday (but then got the plague). 

Random cool building near my hotel

4.  I did walk the neighborhood near my hotel everyday.  We tried some excellent food at Amis and Alma de Cuba.  It was neat to just explore all the old streets and even a local toy store. 

5.  Then Thursday afternoon Stephanie and I boldly wandered off the beaten tourist path to Bartram Gardens.  It was a sort of bizarre mass transit ride, but I was hoping for something out doors and this was lovely.  The gardens are lovely and date back to the Revolutionary War.  It was a lovely haven in the middle of the city.  I wanted to go to the Morris Arboretum, but it was not really accessible by mass transit so maybe if I visit again someday. I think we can thank my parents for my compulsively visiting gardens and arboretums wherever I travel. 

5.  This lovely church was also in my neighborhood.  It was quite uplifting in the Saturday morning light when I had totally lost my voice and felt horrible. It is so interesting how many old interesting churches, businesses, and row houses are still intact and mixed in with more modern glass buildings in Philadelphia.  Also, I'm delighted that I can take photos like this with my phone.  I think I'm trading in my phone this week in hope of getting more memory and a bigger screen.  

6.  We also walked back to Independence Hall.  It has such lovely gardens and views. I really like that we could see the liberty bell from outside without fighting the crowds.  After all this walking, I did walk back and put on my little black dress and have dinner with the outside counsel in a fancy restaurant.  (and then walked 1.3 miles back to our hotel in the middle of the night, yes I brought my ortho flip flops for just such occasion). 

 

7.  Meanwhile, back on the home front, Brent, Grandma, and babysitter Ms. A were keeping things pulled together. I rather think the bigs had fabulous time at the farm.  E struggled a bit missing me and his siblings and still transitioning to milk. (Good news, he now is drinking milk, taking two naps, and happier). 

8.  So, today I boldly cut both boy's hair after watching some utube videos with M yesterday (which might have been a bad idea as we've had to note that she can only cut paper Many times today).  The good news, is that they are less bad than the last time I tried this with B in 2008.  The less good news is that they are not that great.  Sigh.  I do sort of think that for $360 a year I can probably figure this out.  B was remarkably patient.  E, less so.  

9.  I'm told swimming didn't go that well for B today.  Not sure what that was about, but this is one  of the rare things he does not get to quit as it is a life skill/safety issue so I hope Thursday is better. M continues to be a happy little fish.  I'm told both did quite well swimming in Great-Granddaddy's pool last weekend and I'm sorry I missed out on the fun.

10.  Ok, so we're going to Estes Park, CO very soon.  I'm still trying to figure out how to get all our stuff there without a ton of baggage fees.  Brent is still completely unphased by the whole deal.  I am excited to see everyone and just a wee bit nervous about it all working with so many small kids.   Today, B and I were doing our periodic mini-home school sessions and one of the questions was where would you like to travel in the whole world and why? His response: Colorado to see the mountains.  So, good news, B's dreams are coming true!

Romance

Sometimes, romance is buying the one you love something totally random that she doesn't appreciate that she needs, until the day she really does. Sometimes, that is 16 heart-shaped handwarmers that get shared, held and loved as blizzards of snow engulf Oklahoma.

Sometimes I am more aware of romance when my own dear love isn't there to hold my hand.

This week, as I stepped off the subway at Clarendon I saw an old, frail, rumpled man holding two red roses in full bloom. As I climbed the escalator, I imagined they might be for his sweetheart of many years, or a small, delicate granddaughter, maybe even his own grown daughter after a busy day at work. Wouldn't it be dreamy to get two red roses on a random Wednesday from a man you've loved for decades?

On my way back to Foggy Bottom I noticed a couple kissing on the metro platform. The man, I hesitate to call him that as he seemed quite young and almost frail, was slightly taller. His lady's head was tipped up to reach him. I watched them kiss and lean into one another. I remembered the times that this had been us standing on this platform. We had been young, in love, oblivous, and I tipped my head back and reached up on tip toes to kiss my then new husband. It seems like minutes ago and decades at once, but is really somewhere in between.  Who knew how romantic a subway ride could be.

Sometimes, romance is arranging for a date evening even when you're sick, as Brent did on Saturday. He set up a movie date for us, complete with the kids staying over with his parents. He was nearly too sick to eat anything, but committed to seizing the moment as our schedules overflow for weeks to come.

Sometimes romance is just holding hands, looking at each other and knowing that come what may you are in it together and somehow it will be OK.  Sometimes it is knowing the curve of those fingers, the warmth of that skin as well as you do your own.  Sometimes it is loving and being loved simply, completely, without show, daily.  Sometimes romance is the everyday and sometimes it is the extraordinary.  My hope is that you can find romance in the little ordinary moments with the ones you love today and every day.  Happy Valentine's Day!

December Daily: Day 5 - Trains!

On Saturday, our little crew headed to the 40th Annual OKC Train Show with my Mom. It was a mix of model trains, train toys, and plenty of merchandise for the serious model train enthusiast. We focused on looking at all the various model trains set up around the building.

My Mom and my favorite parts were the miniature houses and people. Brent, I think, enjoyed the Lego trains. Brendan was fascinated by a spaceship complete with aliens and crop circles in one of the vignettes. It was crowded, but a pretty good way to spend a morning together.

Side note - I'm not entirely sure why trains are connected with the Holidays, but somehow they intrinsically are. Maybe it is the various train books involving Christmas?