The past 2+ weeks we've had a taste of what life will be like after Nadia graduates from high school. The last few field trips we've taken as a family of four instead of a family of five. Since Nadia doesn't really enjoy many historical field trips, I'm sure she doesn't mind that she missed them. On July 13 we visited Old Bedford Village. They hold a variety of special events throughout the year. Paul chose this weekend which focused on Napoleonic Grand Tactique as that is very uncommon whereas Civil War reenactments are held at a wide variety of sites. Paul just focused on the special lectures and demonstrations they were doing. The boys and I did some of that but also walked around some of the historic village. Paul especially enjoyed the lecture on espionage during the time of Napoleon. My favorite part was the instruction on the history of how brooms have been made over the years. Our next stop was Fort Roberdeau, which was a fort used for two years during the Revolutionary War.
From July 15-18 the boys participated in a manufacturing camp from 9-3 in Milton. I signed them up at the request of my friend, Tab. A couple of weeks before the camp was to begin her two boys were the only two signed up, and they were going to cancel the camp. It wasn't the boys' favorite experience, but there were parts they enjoyed. On the second day they had a field trip tour Playworld (playground manufacturer in Lewisburg). On the third day they had some experience with using CAD to design a playground. This week they are participating in a foam sword fighting camp from 9-12 with four of their cousins in Danville. They participated in one of these camps last summer at another location. Next week they'll have their last "camp" of the summer - a theater camp from 9-12:30 at our church.
On July 20, we visited Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. The kids had earned Junior Ranger badges from that site through the mail when it was closed due to COVID. Sometimes when we visit a national park site that's not well known I find myself wondering why on earth it's a NPS site. That was NOT the case this time. It was interesting to learn about what happened there, and unlike most NPS sites, there was a hands-on experience in which we each made a stove plate (albeit not from iron). The park ranger who gave a talk we attended couldn't have been more passionate/enthusiastic about the site, and her enthusiasm was contagious! We spent about 2.5 hours at the site, and then we drove to Camp Hill to meet 10 of the 11 Towfighis (all but Andrew). We had seen 8 of them multiple times recently, but we hadn't seen Jenna since December, hadn't seen Yvonne since February, and we had never met Brenden (who is 3 months old). We spent about four hours together at Jenna's apartment, a playground, and Cracker Barrel before driving home with Nathan, Joel, Micah, and Julianna who are spending one week with us.
Oliver's birthday is August 7, but I decided it would be special to have his birthday party while some of his cousins were here. His first "big" (for our family anyhow) party was in 2022 when I rented two lanes of a bowling alley for two hours and invited his friends to join us. Last year we celebrated his birthday at an amusement park in Pittsburgh; he didn't do anything with friends for his birthday last year. His birthday party this year was by far the most expensive birthday party I've thrown anyone in my life, but it helped knowing the money was going to our church. We paid for one hour of bubble ball and one hour of glow in the dark dodgeball. I invited fifteen kids in the hopes that at least twelve would show up. Six of the kids were Ian, Oliver, and four cousins. Amazingly all fifteen said they could come for at least part of the time, and one family asked if they could also bring their cousin who was visiting them from Ohio. Two kids backed out the day of his party, and Ben came for only the second half of his party. This meant we had thirteen kids for bubble ball and fourteen for eating and dodge ball. Paul's dad also joined us, so we had seventeen people including adults. I brought chips, drinks, and paper products and ordered pizza that Paul picked up during the bubble ball. Paul's dad brought vanilla cupcakes and a chocolate peanut butter cake that Aunt Millie made. We three adults *thought* we would only be spectators, but the finale to the party was a round of kids vs. adults glow in the dark dodgeball. Xandir's aunt joined us, but we were still outnumbered 14:4 so Ryan had Ben play on the adult team which made it 13:5. Needless to say, the kids won. Throwing parties is totally NOT my thing. I wouldn't mind never being in charge of another party the rest of my life, but I want birthdays and other future special occasions (ex. graduation from high school) to be memorable for my kids, so I will do my very best. Oliver received nerf guns from the Towfighis and Xandir, an Amazon gift card from Nathaniel, Knoebels ride tickets from the Schrecks, some money, and some fireworks and Snickers from the Seiberts. Julianna was the only girl invited to his party. The kids we invited ranged in age from 8-16, and all of them are homeschoolers. It was the first time Nadia wasn't at one of her brothers' birthday parties. She will be with us for his actual birthday. I was very impressed with Xandir's generosity. He made Oliver a really nice birthday card, and he used ALL of his own money to buy the nerf gun. He was a few dollars short, so his dad had him do some more chores to earn the remaining money. Wow. What a kind and generous thing to do for a friend! My kids have certainly never spent that much money on a gift for a family member or friend, especially considering it was all of the money he had.
Because the foam sword fighting camp is 30 minutes from our home and lasts for three hours, it doesn't seem worth it to me to come home after I drop them off. I've been spending the time walking, listening to audiobooks, and talking with friends. Yesterday I called Kay, who is in her late 80's and recovering from a knee replacement. Today my friend, Cheri, came and walked with me for part of the time. According to my phone, I walked 7.6 miles yesterday and 6.7 miles today. Speaking of phone calls, I talked to Nadia on Sunday!!! I hadn't heard her voice in two weeks which had been challenging for me. It was wonderful to hear about her first two weeks at camp. Just eleven more days until she is home sweet home! We're planning on one more field trip before she comes home - a visit to the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art on Saturday.
