Road Trip 2015

We like to plan our family vacations during our moves. It sounds crazy really but there are two main reasons: it is when Karl has leave and it gives the girls something to look forward to in a very emotional period. The previous move we went to Disney World, this move we decided to do a road trip to various spots in Pennsylvania and New York.

First Stop: Hershey, PA

Reese finally meet her alter ego and they hit it off right away.

 We made our own dessert, and they were scrumptious. Elli  made a dessert pizza, Reese went for the DIY hot cocoa and Brady decorated a flower shaped cookie. Karl and I indulged in chocolate fondue. None of us were disappointed and none of us were hungry for dinner.

 We went back the next morning to finish up our visit in Hershey. We had been told many times that the entire town smells like chocolate. The girls were very unhappy that morning with the air quality as the grounds crew were laying manure.

 But once inside we were back on track to chocolatey goodness.

 Brady was very into the multiple step process for chocolate tasting, which includes snapping and sniffing.

 I love this picture of them all around a sundae. They look like sweet sisters making sweet memories around a sweet treat. However, they were actually fighting over it trying to get the most bites.

 These lovely robotic cows will be the top memory of our time in Hershey. They sing a chocolate song over the PA the entire time during the FREE 15 minute ride on tour of how chocolate is made. The tour ends with a staff member handing out a sample kit kat. So I think we rode it at least 6 times within our 24 hours in the city. Elli kept asking to see the "hippo cows".

Next Stop: Easton, PA (Crayola Experience)

The building itself was quite a sight to see. 

 Colorers Crossing!

 Bringing our art to life...

 Now that is a lot of Silly Putty

 World's Biggest Crayon

 Puzzle Making

Stop #3: NYC

In NYC, Brady wanted to see the Statue of Liberty. Reese wanted to see the 'big piano'. Christy wanted to see a broadway show. Karl wanted to see Times Square. That is a lot to do in a short time, but we had faith we could get it done until...

Reese had some stomach issues the night before, but we thought they were isolated and gluten induced. So eager to get the most of our one and only day in NYC we jumped on the subway from Jersey City to NYC first thing, which happened to be rush hour. Rush hour + subway means people physically pushing on people trying to smush them in further just so that they can squeeze in. Maybe one more sardine can fit in that can. While we were in the tunnel under the Hudson River, when I look straight down, under my belly at a white face Reese. I tell Karl to open a pocket in the bookbag that has our day's supplies. Within seconds that bookbag was also carrying our sweet middle child's stomach contents. 

Moments before THE subway ride

So while I cleaned the bookbag and Reese up at the hotel (yes, we had to get off the subway in NYC only to get back on the opposite direction, while carrying a bag full of vomit) Brady and her Daddy trekked off to Ground Zero. 

After lunch we made attempt two to go into NYC since we had Broadway tickets. 

 We decided to try and find street food since we were needed to find out theater. I was shocked and pleased to find a fruit stand.

 Times Square and my loves

 Matilda with the big girls! Boy, it was an amazing show. The eight year old lead blew me away. I recommend this show to anyone and everyone! I could have watched it ten times in a row.

 The girls got to meet a cast member when they donated to the show's charity.

 Meanwhile, Karl and Elli hit up the Times' Square Disney Store and Toys R Us.

 Made the trek to FAO Schwarz for the big paino

 Poor Reese was over extended this day and fell asleep at the dinner table while we were still in NYC.

 But we still had to get back to our hotel in Jersey City.

 Elli thought she would follow suit and sleep like her middlest sister. Yea, mom and dad were pretty worn out by they time we got back to our beds.

Stop #4: Statue of Liberty

There is a ferry from Jersey City to Lady Liberty so luckily no more subway rides for us on this day. Because we had little kids with us, we skipped Elli Island and went straight to the Statue of Liberty. 

Stop #5: Philadelphia

Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Children's museum. All wonderful places... that we didn't visit. Our last stop we decided to scratch off the list. We had sick kids and exhausted parents. Our vacation was already full of GREAT memories. The kids couldn't stop talking about the chocolate factory, so our house full of boxes beckoned us. 

Our favorite stop as a whole was by far the Hershey's Chocolate World. Elli still asks (two months later) at least once a week to go back there. I am sure there will be another road trip up there before this duty station is over. The vacation was a success but with small kids "the best laid plans..."

Hello, again! From California... California, Maryland that is

So I had a two month hiatus. In those two months we...

-moved to a different state
-started new schools
-said bye to old friends and made new ones
-reunited with friends from years past
-started a new job in a new discipline
-went on a road trip to PA and NY
-went on a road trip to celebrate a special 2 year old boy
-experienced a first in camping with girl scouts
-went on field trips
-had visitors from out of town
-celebrated Easter
-splashed in mud puddles


So we have quite a bit to tell you about. We made our big move to Maryland. The girls had adjustment period but we are now on the other side of it and I will say we faired well.

 When the house was packed in VA, the girls enjoyed hide and seek and coloring the boxes.

 Then once in Maryland, box houses were the big hit.

I will be back soon to fill you in on our lastest adventures. 

Orthnerisms: I'll never be Royal

Me: walking into ellis room "Good morning Princess!"

Elli: "good morning mommy... Yay! You called me princess!!!!"

Me: "that is because you are my princess"

Elli: " wait, you aren't a queen!"

Orthnerisms: Some Cartoons Don't Belong on Diapers

Elli is potty trained but still needs a diaper when she sleeps. Thus we buy the Huggies overnight diapers (higher absorbency) that features cartoons of Winnie the Pooh sleeping on the front. The first time we bought the diapers, Elli asked about the bear, and I simply stated "That's Winnie the Pooh!"

Weeks later, I ask Elli to get a diaper out of the drawer so we can put it on for her nap. She brings me the diaper and simply states while pointing at the cartoon, "That is Winnie and that is Poopy!"


Mental note: I need to read that girl a Winnie the Pooh book so that she has another point of reference for that honey loving bear!

Let it Snow, I mean Let it Ice

VA has gotten its fair share of winter weather (snow is falling as I type this). Last week, however, it didn't 'thaw' out like VA is used to. One icy Monday turned into 4 missed days of school. I love these gifts of unexpected days with my kids. I am lucky to already be stay at home, so there is no extra burden put on the family when school is cancelled. Therefore, we get to enjoy each other and the winter wonderland. Last week, however, wasn't snow; it was a sheet of thick ice. Ice that took two hundred pounds to make it break. Therefore, Olaf couldn't make an appearance.Therefore, kids had to figure out new ways to play, and boy was it fun!

There was sledding, beach style AKA pushes from Daddy on even ground.

There was sledding down the embankment at the grocery store loading dock. Hey, you have to be creative when you leave on flat land.

However, we did make a trip to the built up hill for an amphitheater on base. It was INTENSE, maybe a little too intense for Reesey Poo!

There was LOTS of pretend ice skating. 

There was educational moments: examining snowflakes and researching to make hypothesis about snow fall totals (and there may have been some bidding involved)

Walks around where Daddy carries all the load. 

Let's not leave Art out of this week. Spray bottles full of colored water to ice painting.

Of course, there are friends! We planned a movie with the neighborhood kids (which played but was barely viewed). They sat around and played with legos, magnet tiles and figurines.  

IT WAS AN ABSOLUTE BLAST!!!! 

6:02 pm

At 6:02 PM out girls all at once, became mini-mes.

Two of the girls, became mini-Karls and one became mini-Christy. It is as if they must act like the parent they favor in looks. It is as if, looks are connected to personality. Well, I guess they are somewhat, but I am talking genetics here. It is as if I can only genetically claim one of my three children. It is as if I am lucky enough to have three amazing, yet different children.

At exactly 6:02 PM last night, this is what the three girls were doing.

Brady asked, no begged, for us to put on one of our cardio exercise DVDs for her..."I want the one with weights!"

 Reese got crafty. "I am going to glue a bunch of stuff to one piece of paper, it is going to look awesome!"

 Elli cleaned the dinner dishes from the table, without prompting; including the water glasses which she emptied into the sink and loaded in the dishwasher (correctly). "I did it, Mommy, I cleaned up."

I am glad I married an awesome man, because his mini-mes are healthy and helpful. I am also glad I have my own mini-me to get crafty and messy with....hey, maybe the previous mini-mes will clean up after us ;)

6:02PM was one of many minutes that was perfect in so many ways!

Orthnerisms: A Little Potty Mouth

I swore that I would treat all my kids the same, I would parent the second and third just like the first...then I had more than one child and realized that was a funny joke...haha!

So with that said, I have to admit, even though I tried to avoid this, we have used candy in potty training Elli. I still don't like the idea of it, but long story short, it works for her.

So now onto our Orthnerism of the day:

I walk in on Elli washing her doll's hands in the sink.

Elli: "Baby Elsa did peepees in the potty!"

Me: "Oh, great job Baby Elsa, I am SO proud of you!"

Then we sing our potty song in unison.

Elli: Makes her way into the kitcehn, reaching to the candy cabinet that is 8 feet in the air "Baby Elsa needs candy because she did peepees on the potty"

Me: "Well, Baby Elsa is pretend, so Baby Elsa gets pretend candy. Let's go find some in the playroom."

Elli: (still reaching towards the 'real' candy) "No, Baby Elsa wants this candy"

Me: Walking back into the kitchen with a piece of rubber chocolate "Here, Baby Elsa, this is your candy for doing peepees on the potty. Great job!"

Elli: now crying "No, I don't want pretend candy, I want THIS candy" Repeats this a few times

Me: "Baby Elsa is not real, so she must have not real candy."

Elli: Takes a few moments, collects herself reluctantly, huffs out of the room, clearly perturbed. "Well, Baby Elsa is going to do peepees on the floor!!!!"

Bucket List 2015

Here is the Orthner Family Bucket List for 2015

• see Powhatan village (Brady)
• Go see Pop Pop's fish (Elli)
• Play the Game of Life (Reese)
• See the Giants play (Karl)
• Grow a bigger garden (Christy)
• Start a new job (Karl)
• See the Statue of Liberty (Brady)
• Visit Uncle Joe (Elli)
• Visit Uncle Dave (Reese)
• Family bike ride (Christy)