Mapping the Trip

Our triptiks arrived for our summer trip, and Benji was eager to lay them out side by side so that he could examine the whole route:

Getting Closer....

Benji's scout uniform has been coming in piecemeal. Here he is getting ready for last night's scout meeting, with most of the uniform pieces. Once he finally has the neckerchief, I'll try for a better picture:

Benji's Day Out

While Abby and Kevin were in NY, Benji and I had a big weekend at home. Benji had a few commitments, but we had Friday night and most of Saturday to enjoy ourselves. Here's what we did:

We had dinner at Noodles and Company Friday night. It was beautiful, so we sat outside

We traded selfies with Kevin and Abby

Benji wanted to wash my car. It was a little bit of a waster effort while pollen is still dropping, but it looked great for 10 minutes.

On Saturday morning, we went straight from swim practice to the library. It was both "Free Comic Book Day" and the "How-to Festival." Here is Benji considering his comic book options.

The first session we went to was how to use VR. This was Benji in his element.

He was having a great time exploring the simulated underwater environment

It was funny to watch him squat or reach to touch things that we could not see

For our second session, we went outside to explore woodworking. On our way, we stopped to tour the fire truck

Benji still loves to do this.

Also the ambulance. The paramedics showed him all the equipment and how it works, which was great.

And they loaned him a stethoscope to listen to his own heart

At the woodworking table

After the library, we headed out to the farm. We re-joined Belair Farm CSA this year and it was their open house day.

Benji was particularly taken with the baby bunnies

And was thrilled when they took one out that he could pet

We also picked up a small share (pre-season), which included some greens and some herbs, which Benji enjoyed picking.

Before we left, we had a picnic lunch

After relaxing at home for a little while, we went back out to AMF Kidsfest. The bowling alley had free arcade cards and bowling for the day.

Benji liked the freedom to play some games without worrying about the cost

We bowled three games, and Benji broke 100 two of them!

Brendan's First Communion

Kevin and Abby made their way back up to NY this weekend to celebrate Brendan's First Communion at St. Anthony's. This is likely the last of the First Communions in this generation and Abby did not want to miss out on the end of an era. Kevin took some pictures.

At the church:

Half a selfie after the mass

With Pop-pop

With Brendan

 At the party:

The whole gang

With grandma and pop-pop

Trying to get a picture with Harper

Science Video

For his science class this week, Benji had to complete a bingo board of activities, including making a video. He spent a lot of time on this, which stressed him out because he still had to do 4 more activities (and stressed us out because we could not get him to leave the video alone and move on to something else). He turned it in on Wednesday night, and Benji's teacher found Kevin on Thursday morning to tell him how good it was (so good, that she made her husband watch it and is goign to use it in a class lesson next week). Here is Benji proudly showing us his work:

Finished Composter

Benji was very excited to start piling leaves and kitchen scraps into it:

Colin's First Communion

The mass was at St. Paul's Catholic Church:

Colin with mom and dad

Followed by lunch at Station Kitchen:

Benji really liked the candy bar