Birthday Adventure

When Cheryl told me about the Harry Potter Enchanted Forest Experience, I knew I had to figure out how to take Anna for her birthday. Last summer Anna listened to the books and after each one watched the movie with her Dad. 

On Thursday Anna, Cheryl and I drove to Leesburg, VA. The drive proved to be an adventure in itself as our map led us through Washington DC. I may have panicked just a bit when Anna pointed out the Washington Monument. Mostly I just did NOT want to miss an exit. Our scenic route let us see Congress, the Jefferson Monument, and the Pentagon. It was also rush hour.

I asked Anna where she wanted to eat supper on our way. She said "Wawa." Cheryl was like "That's perfect. I love Wawa!" And so we found the closest Wawa to Leesburg and got our supper there. Anna likes to order a hoagie and then pick out what she wants with it from the store. 

We arrived about 20 minutes after our designated entry time, but thankfully, that was not a problem. Anna was so excited.

It was a lovely trail through the forest. It was also pretty chilly that night!

Along the trail different scenes or characters from the books were set up. There were signs along the way for a bit of narration, but Anna and Cheryl could tell where we were in the books. Cheryl practically has the books memorized...she was the perfect friend to come along with us!

In some places there was narration or lights moving to create a scene or motion sensors that turned lights on and off.

I liked the field of mushrooms that changed colors. lol.

Cheryl did her level best to educate me along the way, but I'm afraid I'm still woefully clueless. I just truly enjoyed watching Anna have an experience all her own and the walk through the forest was really lovely after being in the car all afternoon!

There was a very memorable stop in the gift shop where Cheryl treated Anna to a shopping spree. (Something I would literally only let Cheryl do.) Anna really had the best time. 

And then we drove home. On the way home, Anna started not feeling great. By Friday (her actual birthday) she had a fever and was achy and tired. Five days later she is now starting to feel better. I'm just thankful that she could truly enjoy the trip before she got sick!
 

 

 Happy 14th Birthday Anna!

Anna has so many interests and hobbies. It's going to be fun to see what she gets into this year!

Heslop Invasion

 We call the weekend each year that we visit my aunt and uncle the Heslop Invasion because adding 6 people to a house that is usually occupied by 2 people does feel like an invasion! 

Our trip started very slowly. We left our house at 10am, drove 40 minutes to Cambridge, sat in stand still road work traffic outside Cambridge for 90 minutes and then ate lunch at Chick Fil A in Cambridge. I was the driver for the day and was pretty annoyed. We arrived at 7pm instead of 5:00, but Jeremy got a full day of work in from the car and we were safe so all was well. 

We spent lots of time around the table. Some playing games, some just watching and talking. Aliza and Jeremy got to tell Dan and Laurie all about their trip to India--exactly a year later from when they were in India. 

Saturday was sunny with perfectly clear, blue sky and comfortable temperatures. We took a walk. Isaiah thought it was a very long walk.

Took this priceless progression of pictures with Anna and Aliza.

Sat on a big rock overlooking a pond where I kept worrying that Isaiah was going to somehow manage to fall into the water. He didn't.

And then most of us played a round a disc golf. A highlight for Josiah!

Before we knew it, it was time to wake up early (for us) to get on the road to home Sunday morning. We wanted to get home in time to attend our youth pastor's ordination service. And we made it! Thankfully we did not have any traffic slowdowns on the way home.
 

Joy Dare::October

 11,643. Conversations over meals
11,644. Having Laura and Sean over
11,645. Friends with children making the same adjustments as mine
11,646. Pushing the swing and singing with Maggie
11,647. Just Isaiah and me in the car
11,648. Sunshine this morning
11,649. Leaves crackling
11,650. Teaching English
11,651. Isaiah figuring out math
11,652. Taking a day off from school
11,653, Isaiah having his best day
11,654. Time with Janell, Brian and Meghan
11,655. A day with Grandma and Grandpa
11,656. Biscotti and tea
11,657. Birthday supper
11,658. Anna played guitar in church
11,659. A flat tire did not ruin our day

11,660. Sunday evening and Aliza is content
11,661. Giving myself a new challenge
11,662. Candlelights on the porch

11,663. A lovely evening walk
11,664. The new school antics with just 3
11,665. A special birthday visit for Isaiah
11,666. Double digits but he still falls asleep on me

11,667. Aliza has had a smooth week
11,668. Pumpkin roll
11,669. Interesting discussion
11,670. Being able to fill in
11,671. Late evening party food shopping
11,672. Northern lights
11,673. Bonfire, hotdogs, s'mores and games
11,674. The best group of young adults
11,675. Having Ezra here
11,676. Trying to play piano more
11,677. Anna had a youth group event with no siblings with her
11,678. Aliza's sweet friendships with younger teen girls
11,679. Teaching Children's Worship
11,680. Isaiah excited about the book series we are reading
11,681. Being Anna's driver
11,682. Fall wind
11,683. Pumpkin whoopie pies
11,684. A completely unexpected invitation
11,685. Josiah feeling better
11,686. Lunch with Josiah and Anna
11,687. Introducing Sean to the Upper Ferry
11,688. The discipline of practice
11,689. A friend stayed for Bible study
11,690. Fall diffuser blends
11,691. Days that Jeremy works from home
11,692. Winning the parenting battle without losing my temper
11,693. Clean water
11,694. Making a to do list to keep me motivated
11,695. These warm fall days
11,696. Getting to see Aliza do hard things
11,697. Closet reorganized
11,698. Anna helping me fall decorate the mantle
11,699. Aliza calling to tell me all the things on her mind while she drove home
11,700. Staying up late to finish a book
11,701. Muscle memory from long ago
11,702. Colorful leaves

11,703. Baking a new dessert
11,704. Sending everyone outside "until it's dark"
11,705. Big kids that still want hugs
11,706. Beautiful afternoon for a walk
11,707. Evening with Maria
11,708. Making a plan with Josiah
11,709. Isaiah spelling words I didn't know he knew how to spell
11,710. Walking with Elizabeth
11,711. Isaiah's multiple good bye hugs
11,712. 24 hours just me, Jeremy and Aliza
11,713. Listening to Aliza study Biology
11,714. Touring campus
11,715. Seeing Aliza excited about new possibilities
11,716. Ice cream with Grandma Karen on our way home
11,717. Morning coffee with a friend
11,718. A big pile of leaves
11,719. Hard conversations
11,720. Honest answers
11,721. Good Bible conversations
11,722. My social tank is full
11,723. Really happy to be at home
11,724. Anna's spot right beside me for school
11,725. Boys making supper

11,726. Leaving falling
11,727. Listening to all of Aliza's thoughts
11,728. Taking a walk with Anna and Isaiah
11,729. The freedom to adjust our schedule
11,730. Josiah willing to play outside with Isaiah
11,731. When Isaiah is the only kid at home and wants to sit on the couch with me with a cup of chai
11,732. Candy bowl on the counter
11,733. Isaiah reading beside me
11,734. Aliza and Anna teaching together at ESL