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we’ve grown accustomed to good-byes

July 9, 2011 By 14 Comments

We meet wonderful people everywhere – state by state.

The girls find friends to dress-up with, to play rough-and-tumble with, and to scream extra loud with.

fairy wings weve grown accustomed to good byes ariel and alice weve grown accustomed to good byes

Tim & I meet people to play Catch Phrase with after the kids are in bed, to go running with, to have crazy adventures in NYC with, and to pray with around campfires.

stephanie and colleen weve grown accustomed to good byes sunglasses at valley forge park weve grown accustomed to good byes

And then, in a blink – we’re waving again.

* Big shout-out to Mike & Colleen, Mick & Eileen, Jay & Kristen, Jay & Sara, Dirk & Valerie, Roger & Janette, Troy & Suze, Dave & Carol, and so many others we’ve had to wave good-bye to on this grand adventure. Miss you.

Filed Under: RV Living Tagged With: , , ,

She weaned last night.

July 8, 2011 By 33 Comments

pose by a tree She weaned last night.The last few weeks, she’s only been nursing right before bed.

“Nurse me, peas,” she’d say at bedtime in the sweetest of voices.

But last night, she fell asleep while I was reading “The Indian in the Cupboard” out loud (Amazing book, by the way…we’re all enchanted by it). Tonight was the exact same scenario.

I looked at her as I left the room – long lashes, rounded cheeks, pursed lips. Still my baby, yet growing up into herself too. Like bittersweet chocolate.

“Weaning has been pretty seamless this time,” I told Tim, wistfully, happily. “You said that last time too,” he said. “True,” I replied, “but this time was even more peaceful…because she’s a bit older.”

At what age did your baby wean? What was the process like for you?

Filed Under: Babies, breastfeeding Tagged With: , , , ,

Travel With Kids: Lancaster County

July 7, 2011 By 23 Comments

There are many vacation spots that are good for families with older children, but not all of them are good for toddlers & preschoolers. Lancaster County, however, is the perfect destination for a family of wee ones. Even the tiniest of babies will feel quite at home in this delightful patch of Amish country with plenty of modern amenities.

buggy ride lancaster county1 Travel With Kids: Lancaster County

Our family of four went to the Mennonite Information Center for a showing of “Who Are The Amish?” It’s a 30-minute, 3-screen feature that answers common questions about the Amish community in a fair and objective way.

Afterward, we jumped upon a private buggy ride via Abe’s Buggy Rides. This was my favorite part of our weekend. Our driver Earl was a warm and communicative Amish man in his 50′s. He had nine children of his own and told us quite a bit about his way of life. Fascinating.

giddyup horsey Travel With Kids: Lancaster County   preschoolers at cherry crest adventure farm Travel With Kids: Lancaster County sweet sisters at cherry crest adventure farm Travel With Kids: Lancaster County

We also spent an afternoon at the Cherry Crest Adventure Farm. Wristbands are $15 and provide you with access to a themed corn maze with clues, two bouncing pillows, a hayride, big slides, a chicken show, a small petting zoo, and much more! You can even bring your own picnic and eat it under a shaded veranda. Also – I was quite impressed to find a comfortable and well-stocked Nursing Mother’s Room on-property, complete with rocking chairs, a changing table, diapers, and wipes!

corn maze funny mirror Travel With Kids: Lancaster County corn maze at cheery crest adventure farm Travel With Kids: Lancaster County first corn maze Travel With Kids: Lancaster County

On Independence Day, we whirled and screamed and laughed at Dutch Wonderland, a Kingdom for Kids. The amusement park is clearly designed for the pint-sized set. Kiddie rides abound and the shows have the perfect amount of cheesy predictability to be well-loved. Kayla said her favorite was the tiny roller coaster – she even put her hands in the air! Also, the bathrooms have miniature toilets and shortened sinks for easy access for little ones.

dutch wonderland entrance Travel With Kids: Lancaster County dutch wonderland hopping frogs Travel With Kids: Lancaster County

At the end of the day, we relaxed with root beer floats in our RV at Old Mill Stream Campground, which is directly next door to Dutch Wonderland. The campground is conveniently located to all of the attractions listed in this post (yay for saving on fuel costs!) and is a great weekend destination.

Have you ever been to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania? What did you like/not like about it?

Do you have any questions about the Amish culture? I’m going to be writing a post about my thoughts soon!

* Special thanks to the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau for providing passes for area attractions.

Filed Under: Travel With Kids Tagged With: , , , ,

random thoughts from my morning run

July 6, 2011 By 47 Comments

morning run random thoughts from my morning runHave you ever seen the movie “What Women Want,” starring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt? Quick Overview: Mel’s character gains the ability to read womens’ thoughts…and he quickly discovers that their thoughts are going in a hundred different directions at about a mile a minute.

I laughed out loud; the producer got it exactly right.

Here’s a snapshot of where my mind went this morning on my 1.5 mile run. I was rockin’ to Third Day, Sondre Lerche, Mark Schultz, and Black Eyed Peas (a motley crew, I know).

  • Walmart has terrible meat. We’ve almost become temporary vegetarians because of it. Somehow we never park at a campground near Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, or other respectable grocery stores.
  • You would think that produce would be bountiful here on this green coast, but that’s not the case. Tim & I are convinced that all good produce goes to Whole Foods and Costco – regardless of where the farms are or where you live. Supply and Demand, baby.
  • My one material wish these days is for a Kindle. I already know what books I’m going to purchase as soon as the device is in my hands – the top 5 bestselling business books, One Thousand Gifts, Hunger Games, and Colleen’s new book.
  • I also need shorts. I have none. But it’s getting too hot for jeans.
  • We are living very frugally this year though. After all, we did manage to save up and travel the country in an RV for a year – without debt. I’m proud of that (and willing to not have shorts and a Kindle just yet).
  • Metropolitan Mama is ready for a fresh blog design. New colors – pink has to go. I like pink, but…I want my first impression to be stronger, more diverse.
  • New header. My first choice is to hire an artist to hand-draw the header for me (know anyone?).
  • I hope people understand what this year is about for us – it’s infinitely more than volunteering. It’s about learning HOW to give, how to live. It’s about taking a risk. It’s about seeing the world. It’s about breaking free. It’s about pressing in. It’s about holding my kids close…and learning to let go. It’s about re-discovering what matters most.
  • How can we possibly write about everything that we are experiencing?
  • How can I take what is in my heart and type it out on your screen?
  • Should I write short snippets? Or wait to reflect?
  • I can’t wait to go west.
  • I wonder where we’ll end up.
What are your random thoughts right now? C’mon. List one or two. [At least tell me what you're reading...].
Filed Under: Fitness Tagged With: , , , ,

Tuesday Tours: What’s Happening on the Web

July 5, 2011 By 14 Comments
j02933381 Tuesday Tours: Whats Happening on the WebWelcome to “Tuesday Tours: What’s Happening on the Web” where I serve as your tour guide and showcase the best contests, deals, and reads on the web…all in one convenient location.

 

Contests

Cheerios® is looking for the next great children’s book by a never-before-published author. Enter your story in the 2011 Cheerios New Author Contest before July 15.

Good Reads

Jason offers his take on adoption: Christians should put up or shut up.

Kristen shares 100 Ways for Your Family to Make a Difference.

Mandi writes about Balancing the Risks of Sunscreen & Skin Cancer. (This pretty much sums up my take on the issue).

Miscellany

This Sunday, our family is heading west! Check out our route and let me know if we’ll be passing through YOUR city.

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*** If you have a contest or an announcement that you think might be a good fit for Tuesday Tours, e-mail me at stephanie@metropolitanmama.net.

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mini gift guide :: reader

July 5, 2011 By 12 Comments

Know a reader? Here are seven gift ideas to consider:

[click on each image for details + pricing]

amazon kindle mini gift guide :: readerwood book with secret compartment mini gift guide :: reader rechargeable book light mini gift guide :: reader reading journal mini gift guide :: readerbook diversion safe mini gift guide :: readerconceal bookshelf mini gift guide :: reader

Do you enjoy reading? If yes, what kind of book-related gifts would you want to receive?

*** Every week or so, I feature creative gift ideas in specific categories. Let me know if you have a recipient that you would like me to feature.

Filed Under: Mini Gift Guides Tagged With: , , ,

8 nights in Bolivia

July 3, 2011 By 28 Comments

bolivia flag 8 nights in BoliviaFor two weeks this summer, I dreamed in red, green, and yellow – the colors of the Bolivian flag. I googled images of the country, watching the mothers carry their babies on their backs with wide-brimmed hats on their heads.

Tim & I were recently invited by World Vision to be on a team of bloggers traveling to the country at the end of the summer! We were delighted, thinking about what it would be like to brush up our Spanish and soar over the skies.

We wrestled over it (we so wanted to go!), by we ultimately declined.

It would have been too hectic to drive full speed ahead in our RV back to Arizona. It would have been more change for our girls, who have already had a hefty amount of change in the past 6 months. It would have been 8 nights away from our favorite faces.

climbing central park 8 nights in Bolivia singing in central park 8 nights in Bolivia

Our 4-year-old was very much a part of these conversations, listening as we listed the pros and cons. When we told her we decided not to go, she asked matter-of-factly, “But who will help the Bolivia kids?“

Children always have the very best perspective: Who will help the children indeed?

I explained that there were other bloggers…and then I realized that I had the answer all wrong. WE will help the children, I told her. We can pray. We can give. We can remember them – the children of the world who need us.

Have you followed any of the bloggers who have gone abroad with World Vision or Compassion? How many nights have you spent away from your kids?

Filed Under: Philanthropy Tagged With: , , ,