Vacation Part 3: Miller State Park

I'm skipping Part 2 for now because I realized ALL of those pictures were on Cole's phone, not the actual camera. So, here we are at Part 3: Miller State Park. Cole stumbled on to this little gem via Google and read that it had a fire lookout tower that guests could climb. The sentimental part of me, which is a BIG part of me, suddenly realized we HAD to go. My very best childhood friend's mother worked in a fire lookout tower the summer between her freshman and sophomore years of college. She is, hands down, the coolest, most interesting person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, so I definitely had to check this out.

We hiked 1.4 miles and increased our elevation by 800 feet to the summit of Pack Monadnock. It was steep and very rocky and at times a little nerve wracking since the boys still can't fully comprehend everything that could go wrong on a hike like this. BUT, it was amazing! As if I didn't already think I have the most amazing children on the planet, this hike just proved what tough little cookies they are. The boys never complained, did not whine, did not once ask to be carried. They were totally, 110% into it. I can't get over how incredible they were. There's no way most 4- and 5-year-olds would have/could have done this like they did. I think Cole and I are doing something right to instill this confidence and determination in them.

There were spots that were really, really steep. And, yes, I was wearing a skirt.

I'm protecting them from the ledge. We were on a cliff.

I could have stared off in the distance all day long. It was so beautiful.

A few parts were nice and easy.

Some were a little trickier to keep your balance.

Sliding down the side on their hienies.

Top of the fire tower.

View from the fire tower.

Cole and Eli descending the tower.

At the summit

Resting at the summit.

That skyline is Boston...55 miles away from Miller State Park.

When we made it back to the parking lot, the boys were so proud of themselves. They had truly climbed a mountain. I was proud, too. They had hiked 2.8 miles, had an elevation change of 1600 feet (not counting all the little changes on the trail), and finished in under 3 hours. We were keeping pace with groups of adults. It was VERY impressive. Ian now has the bug. He wants to climb mountains all the time. So does Eli.

We all shared a round of high-fives. And, I was happy to tell the boys, "That's something to be proud of. That's a true accomplishment."

Vacation Part 1: Niagara Falls

We just got back from our summer vacation. It was nice to be on vacation, but I'm kind of sad that it's over. I don't have any more traveling to look forward to this summer. :-(

Anyway, the main point of this vacation was to go to Cole's cousin's wedding in New Hampshire. That's a long, LOOOOOOONG drive from home, so we broke it up a bit on the way out with a trip to Niagara Falls. We went to the Canadian side which is apparently the best way to see Niagara Falls. I don't know this for sure because I never looked from the American side. What I do know is that what I saw was amazing.

We stayed at the Fallsview Marriott, and I would definitely recommend it to a friend...or stranger. We somehow got a room upgrade to a High-Floor, Fallsview room and it was incredible. We were on the 20th floor and the mist from the falls was rising up higher than our windows.

 Horseshoe Falls

Bridal Veil

Down the incline rail...

Activity 1: "Journey Behind the Falls"

A series of tunnels have been built under Niagara Falls. You can walk through the tunnels and stand about 6 feet behind the water rushing over the falls.

Big gusts of wind blow the water into the tunnels.

Eli was not a fan, but the rest of us thought it was pretty darn cool.

But the best part of the "Journey Behind the Falls" was the observation deck.

All I can say is, "Wow!"

Then we went to take a look at the falls at lake-level.

They were soooo excited to be at Niagara Falls.

We rode the boat, The Hornblower, around the base of the falls.

(Maid of the Mist serves the American side, and the Hornblower serves the Canadian side.)

Everyone looked like garden gnomes.

Once we got really close to Horseshoe Falls, Eli was over it. We waited inside for Cole and Ian. I was a little bummed because getting drenched is part of the experience, and we only got sprayed by Bridal Veil, the little falls. But when you're four-years-old, I'm sure it's pretty freaky.

And, of course, like any good tourist attraction, the boat tour ended and you were routed through a gift shop. Each of the boys chose a shirt. Eli's declares, "Proud Canadian." We sort of tried to direct him toward another choice, but really, what does it matter? He loves it.

Up next...Vacation Part 2: The Most Incredible Beach for Families in the Continental U.S.

T-ball Begins

Wednesday night was our first t-ball game. Unfortunately, only Eli was able to go and play as Ian was home sick. But, the season is young so we'll have more opportunities to get out there and have some fun.

 Playing in the outfield, or "gloving" as Eli calls it.

Two different socks. It has been MONTHS since either boy wore a matching pair of socks.

Gymnastics Fun

We went to a gymnastics birthday part recently, and the boys were ready to party. Their favorite part? Dropping from the high bar at the very end. I think Eli dropped about 20 times, and Ian had so much fun in the pit o' foam that he just kind of stayed there.

It's hilarious to watch kids drop 12 feet into a pit of foam blocks.

Ready to drop.

Ian is that orange blur in the pit right below the end of the balance beam. That's not a spirit orb.

There goes fearless Eli as big brother climbs out of the pit.

Ready...set...

let go!

Step 1: Turn on griddle

I sometimes joke that the only difference between public school parents and private school parents is public school parents track the school year by quarters while private school parents track the school year by remaining tuition payments. Tuition sucks, mkay? But, what is it that keeps me writing those checks month after month? It's all about the Montessori, baby.

I profess my love for Montessori education on here all the time, but I can't help myself. I just love, love, LOVE it...because it's awesome. Why is it so awesome? Because it's the exact opposite of helicopter parenting. It's raising children who are strong, independent, confident, fearless, self-sufficient, self-starting, internally driven and motivated. It's about making sure your children are adults when they leave the nest, not overgrown kids. And to see young children doing "grown-up" tasks and taking pride in their ability to do so...it's just a beautiful thing. Kids are capable of SOOOOO much more than adults (especially me) realize.

Case in point: Ian's newest skill from his Montessori education is frying eggs. Before touring his school, I never in a million years would have been able to imagine a five-year-old frying eggs! And, I don't know how to cook eggs, so it was never a skill I was going to teach him. But, here we are. A mom with an extremely confident little boy, and Ian with a desire to share his new skill with his mom.

We got four eggs from a friend of mine who raises her own flock (is that the right term?) of chickens. Oh, I forgot to mention that Ian is now a social activist who is strongly opposed to factory farming and will ONLY eat eggs that come from "happy" chickens who are free to run about in the grass. He will gladly tell you all about it, and I love that he feels a curiosity about where his food is coming from.

Step 1: Turn on griddle.
Step 2: Wash hands.

Step 3: Oil

Spread the oil all around.

Step 4: Crack the egg

Step 4.5: Celebrate your awesome egg-crackin' skills while your little bro, who is mastering cream cheese sandwiches, snaps a pic or two.

Step 5: Regroup when egg gets away from you.

Oops!

Step 6: Crack a new egg

Step 7: Flip egg

Now, the best part of the entire process is the end. At school they teach the kids to set the table with plates, silverware, salt and pepper, and a flower in a vase. Ian was very concerned about the lack of flowers in our house, so he ran out a picked a dandelion and since we didn't have a vase the right size, we used a little Pyrex bowl. Then we sat down together and ate our fresh, happy chicken eggs. It was lovely.