Family Fun (Theater)

  Lights, camera and action!  Showtime at Downing Gross for the family!  We won tickets a couple months ago for the Willy Wonka show and boy waiting for the show date to get here took so long.

My kids are familiar with both versions of Willy Wonka so they knew the plot but, they also knew from previous theater show experiences that anything is possible.  This show was no different.

Willy Wonka was a little different in this version.

Going to a show is so fun because it proves it's not about who plays the part as much as it is about the story.  Charlie was also a surprise!  Charlie was a girl too!

The show ran for a couple hours with a short intermission in the middle.  My kids sat through the duration without any problems.  They were extremely entertained by the movie.  I wish I could give them a theater experience monthly.

This show was great.  There was a lot of singing and action.  The story focused on the winners of the golden tickets and then followed them through the factory.

Each golden ticket winner was just as animated and entertaining as the next.  It was interesting to watch what would actually happen to each winner on the tour of the chocolate factory.

The audience even got to become a part of the show at one point when bubbles came out from the ceiling.  That was a highlight for my kids.  We were not sitting directly under them to fully appreciate them but it was nice to see them falling.  There second favorite part was the blueberry scene.  In this scent the little girl's suit actually blew up!  

I think a great family show is one with a lot of kid actors and actresses.  My kids enjoyed seeing all the little people playing various parts in the show.  

We had a great time.  No snacks, electronics and sitting still was not even a concentrated effort.  Our time at the theater just flowed.  We had a good time and finished our experience with some photo opportunities! 

Look it's the Oompa Loompas!

Hello Willy Wonka!

Well this concludes our family fun for the week.  Do you have any family fun planned?  Or what family fun did you do already? 

This is a great cultural arts center.  We have enjoyed a few events there as a family and I look forward to more in the future.  They offer a range of classes and events throughout the year.   Along with special summer programs.  We even caught some local school artwork on our way out.  That was fun for the kids to see too.

Maymount Adventure in Richmond Virginia

  Richmond is a few hours away from me so when the kids and I travel there we take advantage of the sights unique to the area.  One of my favorite places to visit although this only makes my second visit is Maymont.

  Maymont is a large estate that includes gardens, a mansion and winding trails showcasing a variety of animals.  You cross bridges, walk past streams and waterfalls and even climb stairs as you stroll the 100 acres.

There are several garden arrangements. The Japanese garden was our favorite. 

 I spy with my little eye a waterfall! It was so unexpected that it was really neat to see.

On the trail we saw the regal Bald Eagle!

American Bison were visible from the trail!

A barn showcases the transportation of the past.

The kids got a kick out of the other kids!

Maymont is definitely a must see in Richmond, VA.  In addition to all of this, they also offer activities and several special events for an additional fee throughout the year.

All Aboard Ferry Rides

  Every once and awhile we take a trip on a ferry.  We leave the car behind and walk aboard the ferry to cross the Elizabeth River and explore downtown Norfolk.

  The kids enjoy the ride because they can pick where they sit.  Upstairs is open to the wind in their hair and all the sights and sounds. Downstairs is enclosed and a bit quieter.  They also enjoy watching the water wheel propel us across the water.

They also enjoy catching the sight of other boats.

  The ferry runs every 30 minutes and makes two stops in Portsmouth but only one stop in Norfolk.  During the summer it runs every 15 minutes with the help of another ferry and also runs a ferry to Harbor Park for the games.

  The opportunities are endless for family fun in Norfolk.  Waterside has plenty of games and a splash pad to keep you or small travelers entertained.  This area is immediately where you get off the ferry! We stop after our adventures because one the kids don't want to leave and two it helps motivate them to head towards the home.

Adults there are plenty of chairs for you to rest in while the kids play.

When your ready to leave Norfolk head back to Waterside for the quick ride across the water!

The ferry is free for kids with a paying adult. Adult fares are $1.75 one way and exact fare is required.  So next time your looking for a different mode of transportation and want a little more fresh air grab a ferry and head over to Norfolk.  

A different perspective is always a nice change of pace.

NJ Adventures in Lighthouses Part 1

  A couple of months ago I had come across a flier in my truck about a challenge.  A lighthouse challenge.  Actually my son was playing with it and when he was done he gave it to me.  Right then and there I had decided I was going on this trip!  My family was welcome to come with me but I was definitely going.

  You have no idea how excited I got the closer the date got.  I looked at different hotels in different locations, plotted point of entry into the state, contacted area bloggers, used social media for current local activities and even daydreamed a little.
 The day before finally arrived and I had been tossing around times to leave and when I would arrive and finally decided 2 am it was.  2 am would get me there at 8 am after a 6+ hour trip. Perfect for seeing plenty of lighthouses on day one! Well after going to bed late, I did wake up at 2 and left at about 3 by the time everyone else was dressed, dog walked, rabbit fed, car packed, windows and door locked and breakfast and lunch packed.  Funny how an hour passed with all that.

  It was a nice trip there even better when the daylight appeared.  We were able to see an array of fall leaves in full color.  The closer we got to NJ we were impressed with various bridges and crossed the Delaware river (my oldest is a history buff).

We crossed into New Jersey and after a quick pit stop We decided to go to the two lighthouse stations on the southern west side.  These were a couple off the beaten track compared to the coast where a majority of them were.

First stop was Finns Point Lighthouse. This is not your vision of a lighthouse.

steps: 119

We travel to its location inland.  It was used to guide ships from the Delaware Bay into the Delaware River.  This lighthouse is made of iron!

Second stop down the street also located fairly inland is Tinicum Lighthouse.

steps:112

  Another unique lighthouse.  Which is great because it shows the variety and style compared to what we are used to.  This lighthouse has a fixed red light!

  After these lighthouse it was nice to see the true traditional lighthouse as well.  My eyes were opened on this trip of the style, shape, color and height of lighthouses.

  Sandy Hook Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse still operating in the U.S. today.

steps:104

Sandy Hook in itself provided an interesting drive to its location.  To get to this lighthouse we went through the gates of a national park and drove onto historic Fort Hancock!

    This is just a taste of our trip.  Follow along for more lighthouse pictures as we spent the weekend in NJ and stopped at 13 various places along the way!

Throw back Thursday

  I don't usually participate in the throw back Thursday hype but today I will.  I have reflected for months on what I could have accomplished.  In 1994 I graduated high school without a direction or organized set goal I choose to join the military.

I joined the Air Force months after I graduated at the age of 18.

  I joined so uneducated as most of the military.  I had no idea about the better jobs coming from more education or experience.  If you were fortunate to have an ROTC at your school you could have come into basic training and graduated with rank.  I was not one of them.  Not to even mention if you attended college you could have been an officer.  I am so much wiser now.  If I could rewind time a few things would change.  Surprisingly I would still go in but I would do things a little bit different.  I would like to think I am better capable of setting my children up to succeed if they choose that direction.

  I spent 4 years in the military.  Learned some great skills, made some loyal friends and gained more about life experiences in those 4 years then I'm sure I ever would have learned outside of the military.  I got the privilege of seeing a few places and experiencing winter conditions no one should voluntarily experience (North Dakota).

  This year most of my peers retired.  It makes me wonder if I could have played "the game" and made it 20 years.  Everyone does not have the same mentality  (or maturity) that others have.  I have always been a runner (if the going gets bad I go) and maybe that's why I didn't stay maybe that's why I didn't fight harder to stay in.  Or maybe it was my not my life's path.  Instead for the last 16 years I have accumulated 4 children and raised them, held down a few jobs, earned 2 Associates Degrees and a Bachelor's.  

I am not going to be too hard on myself.  It is what it is.  Things happen for a reason and maybe I have done what I was supposed to do or maybe I needed to get out 16 years earlier to accomplish something 16 years later.

No regrets, keeping my head up and moving forward!