Longwood Gardens is such a beautiful place to visit. But, it may be more beautiful without 4 kids. Did I just write that? I was picturing the kids running ahead and Mark and I walking hand in hand and talking about our family and ideas for a new venture we’re working on. But, that’s not exactly how it turned out.

A sunny 89 degree day, greenhouses (don’t forget the meaning of the term “greenhouse effect”), and kids who want to go different directions (including a toddler who was very angry that a large fountain was not for swimming) = a mama speaking shortly, trying to point out beautiful plants and flowers in a bit of a harsh voice.

Oh well. Life with 4 kids under 8 years old, I guess. 

Notice there are no pictures of me. I was too busy pushing a stroller with Drew in it, kicking the buggy board on the back while I walked with no one on it, chasing Lydia running around, and helping Evan and Ashlyn complete some kids’ activity book about scents. (Mark was with me too, but all this was really a 2 person job. No pictures of either of us.) I was sweating glistening too much anyway.

I managed to capture some good pics though–and if you looked at just those, you’d probably hear a different story than the one I just described. 

This fountain clearly wasn’t a swimming pool–though I’m fairly certain that Lydia would have made it one had we given her the chance.

I didn’t make Lydia keep this headband on the whole day (Mark never would have let me. He protests large hair accessories on the girls. Fooey on him.). Had to have it on for at least one picture with purple flowers though. 

Drew telling stories about Hector the very interesting dog to his siblings. Note how captivated Evan and Ashlyn look by the story.

This is Drew a moment later when his siblings got up and moved on to go through a pretend bee hive. Poor, pathetic Drew. He was smiling moments later though–don’t worry about this little monkey.

My favorite picture of the day. I’m in trouble in about 7 years. Ugh. That’s not that long. Perhaps I should cherish these crazy days a bit more.

Lady Chen enjoying the gardens. She may be short, but she’s getting a bit of a belly on her (as seen in the profile shot). American food (aka chocolate chip waffles and french fries) must be doing the trick. 

Another favorite picture, capturing a moment of sibling love. 

I am pretty sure that climbing trees is against the Longwood code of honor. Sorry. 

4 happy kids, made happier by chicken and fries on the way home. 

Okay, looking at these pictures is changing the way I’m remembering the day already. It wasn’t so bad after all. When can we go again?

Following a great weekend which included several trips to the pool (see previous post!) and a trip to the Franklin Institute (we learned about VSDs in a BIG way…see picture below) which tired our girlie girl out in a big way, Sunday was the icing on the cake.

After church, the kids just settled themselves while Lydia napped. And, Mark and I both laid down, read a bit, and took naps. It was glorious. Seriously. Then, we just laid there and talked (imagine that!) until the kids unsettled themselves and started coming in with random things.

I have been going grocery shopping for the week on Monday mornings with all the kids (can get stressful though Wegman’s child playroom is a nice option for at least 2 of my 4). But, this week, the oldest two still have swim lessons. So, I suggested all 6 of us go to the store Sunday evening. To make it more appealing, I told everyone they could pick one item–anything in the store–that they could add to the dinner menu. I quickly had to change the parameters when I heard: “Cookies!” “Brownies!” “Ice cream!” Sorry, guys, must be a food item not simply a dessert item. At hearing this, Drew first refused to play along. But, when he realized that cereal could count as a normal food item, he was back in. So, here are a Sunday snapshot of the results.

Drew–of course, he chose cereal. He told me today he likes these because of the mushrooms. I think he meant marshmallows. I’m embarrassed to report that only 14 hours after purchase, the box had one serving left (sans mushrooms). Any takers? I bet Lydia will eat what’s left.

Evan–at first, he was slightly stressed out over what to pick. But, Mark helped him find these. Really, Mark? This is a borderline dessert item as well. Oh well, Evan was thrilled with the find and ate several of these bad boys.

Ashlyn–always the thinker and mothering type. She gets a big pat on the back for picking apples for her item. Of course, I cut a whole one up for her and she ate maybe two slices. She was too busy eating chocolate chip waffles and Lucky charms to care much for the apples.

Lydia–don’t think for a minute that we left her out. We asked her what she wanted and she babbled “na, na, na, na” so the kids/interpreters informed me that she had chosen bananas. That works for me.

Mark cheated a bit, picking a single serving of sushi and seaweed salad. Glad he enjoyed it but hardly a contribution for dinner. I chose a frozen Dole smoothie which I loved…as did Lydia. She drank a good bit of it. So thankful the girlie has now mastered a drinking straw. A whole new world has opened up to her.

Sorry for the lack of snapshots of real people. I am guessing that snapshots of these random food items are really not all that interesting. But, I was too busy blending my smoothie, holding the glass for Lydia to slurp, making waffle after waffle in our oven, and pouring countless bowls of Lucky charms to grab the camera. So, these snapshots will have to do.

After dinner, guess what we did? Headed back to the pool…again. And, even hit Rita’s afterwards (please don’t judge me for the amount of sugar I allowed my children to consume in one night. It’s summertime.)