Weedsport, New York - Day 2

Our main objective to stopping near Syracuse was to visit the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. We have been there a few times and but each time there is something new.

We started off our visit by having lunch at the Jungle Cafe...always a favorite. We ate outside. While we were eating, the peacocks began fanning their gorgeous tails. Our table was right next to their exhibit area. There were three males and one female. She seemed totally disinterested in all of them, but two of the males were doing a lot of strutting around trying to impress her. I love the colors of these birds...so rich and velvety in texture. I was shooting the pictures through glass, so they are a bit washed out, but you can see how beautiful they are.

We started out on the outdoor trail this time, meandering our way through the path and boardwalk. I love this part of the zoo as there are so many animals in very large open areas. There are many trees, bushes and flowers. It would be a very enjoyable walk even without the animals you get to see along the way.

The penguin exhibit is always so fun. These penguins seem so happy and active and today they were swimming around, diving and zooming back and forth in front of the different glass observation areas, seeming to "fly" through the water. I'm thinking that the warm day was making the cold water very inviting.

This woodchuck was not part of a zoo exhibit, but I had to take his picture. The wild woodchucks at the zoo are living large as they reap the benefits of the open spaces, protected grounds and I'm sure extra feed from the zoo animals. We saw a woodchuck in several of the exhibits and they were all as fat and happy as this guy, who was in the mountain goat exhibit.

After the animal trail, we moved to the inside exhibits.

This tortoise is in the aviary. What a struggle he had pushing the greens around to find the pieces of tomato that were in his salad. He finally was successful.

We continued through the different areas enjoying the marine animals.

The lions.

And the primate house.

Another successful and enjoyable trip to the zoo.

We stopped at a Target on the way back from the zoo. We needed a few things, namely swim suits for the little girls as they had both grown out theirs over the winter. There was a pool at the campground and the children wanted to take a swim when we got back.

The swim was a terrific end to a very nice day.

Weekly Daybook

Go to The Simple Woman to read more.

Peggy is taking a summer break from The Simple Woman's Daybook, but you can continue to read daybook entries at Grandmother Wren.

For Today...June 29, 2009

Outside My Window...a gorgeous view of Lake Ontario from the camper. It is cloudy, but the clouds are so interesting over the lake. The water is a bit choppy.

I am thinking....how blessed I am feeling this week that we are able to do some traveling, even if it is only within a days ride from home. That Brian enjoys going new places as much as I do and that the children are also learning to like the traveling life.
I am thankful for...God's faithfulness in showing us new ways to deal with some problems. I feel we have made a major leap in our thinking about one particular issue.
From the learning rooms...away from our formal learning rooms, but so much learning goes on when you visit the zoo, the aquarium and spend time at the lake.
From the kitchen...our "little kitchen" is serving hotdogs, hamburgers, beans and green salad.
I am wearing...shorts and a t-shirt, but it feels like it is getting cooler.
I am creating...new inroads with one particular child. We are seeing progress.
I am going...to take a walk down to the lake and over to the tree line and do a bit of birdwatching.
I am reading...an Elizabeth Peters "Amelia Peabody" mystery.
I am hoping...for two more wonderful days of holiday.
I am hearing...Bessie on the DS and the younger guys playing with bubbles.
Around the house...very quiet...no one is home.
One of my favorite things...a water front view. I just love the water.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...two more days of camping then back home. Probably 4th of July activities on Saturday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing

Weedsport, New York

This past week, we bought a new camping trailer. We bought our old camper 14 years ago, when we were a family of three. Fast forward and we are now a family of seven and busting out of the seams of our camper.

We picked the camper up on Thursday, frantically prepared and headed out on Friday. We decided to take a shorter trip for our maiden voyage and started out toward central New York. We camped just past Syracuse.

Gabe took this picture out the van window during the drive. These big thunder clouds followed us all day.

After setting up, we all found a spot to relax. Gabe dug out the chess game and he and Brian played a few games. Rachel has been learning the game and likes to watch. I think she is picking up some helpful tips.

Bess always has a few books along and soon found a cozy spot to read.

Later on the Littles found the art supplies. Gracie the dog seemed quite content to nap under the table. Gracie is a terrific traveler.

Our campsite was right on a canal. It was so enjoyable to sit outside and watch all the bird life and the fish jumping. This Great Blue Heron spent hours on the end of the dock. I never saw him catch anything, but he sure enjoyed this spot.

The rain was intermittent all day, but early in the evening, the skies cleared up pretty well and the sun came out. Brian took Gabe out to the dock to fish. Gabe loves to fish and they had a great time. Brian caught a big catfish and Gabe caught several bluegill.

It was a very late night as everyone tried to adjust to sleeping in the new camper. I don't think the children settled down until near midnight. There is always so much excitement and a bit of nervousness our first night camping anyway and with the new camper, it only added to the mix. I'm not sure who ended up sleeping where, but all finally was finally quiet.

Weekly Daybook

Go to The Simple Woman to read more.

Peggy is taking a summer break from The Simple Woman's Daybook, but you can continue to read daybook entries at Grandmother Wren.

For Today...June 22, 2009

Outside My Window...the sun is just peeping through the western clouds and it is almost dark.

I am thinking....how much difference a week makes. Last week I was still waiting for Brian to return. This week he is home and my heart is so happy.
I am thankful for...Brian's safe return home. I don't think I realized just how worried I was for his safety during this trip. Please continue to pray for all our men and women serving our country.
From the learning rooms...ABCs for Dan today. Mostly quiet as we enjoy some much deserved time with Bri.
From the kitchen...sesame marinated beef cooked on the grill (so I guess technically it isn't from the kitchen), tossed salad and macaroni salad.
I am wearing...my comfy lounging clothes.
I am creating...some order out of chaos. Always decluttering and organizing. Always a cross-stitch block in progress and several other stitching and sewing projects.
I am going...to finish on the computer and spend time with my sweetheart.
I am reading...a cozy mystery and homeschool curriculum.
I am hoping...for continued wisdom to make good decisions even when my emotions seem to get in the way.
I am hearing...Brian on the computer down stairs, the washing machine and the soft snores of children.
Around the house...little projects being done and plenty of piles from sorting.
One of my favorite things...a double scoop coffee ice cream cone from Stewart's.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Creation Club, ortho appointment for Bess and hopefully camping.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing

Hanging Around

I never mentioned in the last post what Brian's Father's Day gift was. Well, here it is, a hammock. We have several trees that seemed just to beg for a hammock to hang under them. Brian set it up today and pronounced it a wonderful gift.

Of course, around here, you are almost assuredly going to have company from one or more of the children before long. Don't they look so peaceful? I might have to sneak a few moments lounging myself.

Father's Day

We had a very nice Father's Day. After church and lunch, we headed out to buy Brian his Father's Day gift. I know, we should have done this before, but life often gets away from me and I actually like having Brian's input into his gift. We knew what we wanted to get, but we let him choose the particulars.

We stopped for ice cream cones on the way home and ate them at a local town dock. There were quite a few boats tied up on Sunday and we enjoyed looking at the boats and chatting with the owners. Boating people, like camping people are usually very friendly and love to chat about their boats and travels.

One couple was from South Carolina. He is a retired minister and very funny. We visited for quite a while with them and then he took out his accordion. The children were so fascinated by this strange instrument. He played some polkas, Jesus Loves Me and even the Barney theme. He seemed to be able to play anything he had heard.

We made our departure as all the couples gathered for an impromptu "cocktail hour". What an interesting life it must be to have no schedules and be able to enjoy so much time meandering along the many waterways. Maybe one of these days.

Gabe's Final Surgery

Gabe had surgery on Friday to remove the pins and wires from his arm. It was eight weeks to the day that he broke his arm. All went smoothly and we were home before noon.

He was game for having me take his picture, but as you can see, he was still a bit groggy. They had to make three incisions to take out the hardware, so he came home sporting some steri-strips and bandages.

Fast forward to today and Gabe is doing great, no bandages left, just the strips. He is using his arm more and more. The doctor says it may take a while for him to have full use of his elbow back but we are very glad to have this chapter pretty much closed.

Welcoming Our Airman Home

Brian works as a Flight Engineer on C-130 cargo planes. He has been at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan since early May.

We always miss him terribly when he is away, but this time it seemed so much more difficult. The trip was longer and his destination and mission were obviously more dangerous.

Wednesday he came home. We were all so excited. It felt like Christmas at our house.

We stopped to get him some balloons...and they had the perfect one.


We waited at the base for 30, very long minutes with all the other families, before we were told they were "five minutes out". Bess and Gabe had made signs and we had our American flags ready.

They made a spectacular fly-by. I think they were happy to be coming home too.

Finally they are on the ground. If you look closely, you can see they were flying the American flag out the observation port.

Finally, my man steps off the bus.

I was a bit emotional for a bit, but pulled it together quickly. I was just thrilled to have him back home safe and sound.

The children were next, hugs and kisses from all.

Our family, back together again.

Two pallets of luggage to sort through.

Cake and punch at the mess hall and lots of "welcome home" and "job well done" from many, many people.

I have no words to express how much this man means to me. I am so very proud of his service to our country and to our family. He preforms both with a love of God and tremendous honor.

Welcome home, Brian and job very well done!

Weekly Daybook

Go to The Simple Woman to read more.

For Today...June 15, 2009

Outside My Window...the sun is breaking through and sending shafts of golden light across the field. We just had a thunder storm role through, but it is clearing up quickly. The bluebirds are nesting in the birdhouse right outside my window. I can hear the male singing.

I am thinking...I wish I could do better at so many things.
I am thankful for...an awesome God that shows me more grace and mercy than I could ever deserve.
From the learning rooms...taking a break...testing is done and our slower summer schedule is starting.
From the kitchen...cool summer time fare, macaroni salad.
I am wearing...a very long lounging sweatshirt.
I am creating...still working on my latest cross-stitch block. No sewing or other stitching this week.
I am going...to relax tonight. Maybe a movie or just playing on the computer.
I am reading...I'm not reading a lot right now. Would love any suggestions for summertime sit by the pool reads.
I am hoping...for a good day tomorrow, should be a busy one.
I am hearing...the bluebirds outside the window, a Robin singing its "rain song", a DVD playing and children laughing.
Around the house...school material and clothes being sorted, toys organized and a pile waiting to go out to the garage.
One of my favorite things...the anticipation of Brian's return, so much excitement and plans being made.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...welcoming my sweetheart home, Gabe's pre-op appointment, last sessions of speech and piano for a while and surgery for Gabe.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing Enjoying a fast food dinner at the locks.