What's up in the Shea household

Basically nothing.  Okay not entirely true.  We had some sickness move through.  Yucky virus stuff.  Still not 100 percent over here.  We thankfully had a nice week weatherwise.  Thursday and Friday were exceptional with regards to that.  So Thursday was a teacher in-service day.  My great friend, Barb stopped by and we talked for hours!!!! (Some schooling was discussed.)  For those that don't know, she teaches my kids the science lab each week!!!  Friday had Bill working from home so we all went out to lunch together.  Chik-fil-A - note to self don't go there at noon time ever again.  Took 4 minutes just to get into the parking lot!!!

Eldest is away this weekend.  He left for school at 7:15 am Friday with his bags for a retreat.  The group was leaving from the school at 2:00p.  We are not to get him back until late Sunday afternoon.  The house does seem different without him.  But I am certain he is having a great time!!  Can't wait to hear about it!

Saturday morning we (the remaining 4 of us) went to iHop for breakfast.  Since we have been back here we haven't been there.  I was surprised at how much food was on my plate.  I, who loves to eat, was unable to finish it.  The omlet must have been made with 6 eggs, it was gigantic.  The side of pancakes was equally impressive!!  I brought it back home.  I guess I will pick at tomorrow!

First Field Trip

We attended our first field trip this school year.  We went to the NASTAR Center.  A place that trains people how to fly fighter jets and outer space stuff.  It was very short but pretty cool.  The upside being that this place was close by - 25 minutes away - and free!!!

Josh trying on helmet.

Abs with helmet on.

Barb tried on helmet as well.

The whole group.

Bonding

Ahhh!   Friday was a very impromptu get together with Barb and two of her children.  I had to email her in regards to something and then we started discussing when we could get together next week.  The next thing I know she texts me and asks about that day.   And the wheels set in motion.   It was a great time of relaxation and enjoyment on my part.  I really enjoyed having a friend over for some time.  They came and stayed for 3 hours!!!   It was great.

She also helped me because Stephen had a friend stay over for two days and he lives close to her so she was able to take him back home for me!   I know Stephen was in his glory to have a friend to pal around with and go different places.  They went to the movies, park, store, even the train tracks.

It was a good way to end a very crazy week.   Now back to work.

The Met

We started our day early to catch the train and then a bus to get to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  This day we were on the East side of Central Park (we still did not get to go into the park).  We met Barb and her kids on the train.   When we arrived in Penn Station we walked lots of circles to locate a machine for Barb to get a Metro card (easier than having to have quarters).  Then we walked circles trying to find the bus stop as the directions listed the wrong street.  We got clued in when our bus went by and turned left.  Oooops!   We looked over the schedule and saw we needed to be on a different block.   We finally got on the bus for our 50 block ride.  (Remember that is city blocks!!!)   Upon entry of the bus we find out the kids are free.  Yeah, we really did not need to get that card then.  Arghhh!    Nice lady on bus tells us how to push the yellow "tape" when we want to stop.  Very very cool.   We got off and we were one block from Museum.   We were very excited to have arrived all together.

Entry in was easy and we began in the Egyptian section.  Stephen was using my old camera and kept wandering off to take photos.  Mama was none too happy.  Needed to set him straight.   There was lots of cool things to take photos of and believe me he did and so did I.   

Next room was Armor.  This place was a favorite by lots of the boys.  There were many different armor from many different countries and time periods.  It was very cool to see the Samurai garb.  There was even some armor from Iran.   Abigail loved that they protected the horses too!

Off to lunch.  We all were hungry and our attitudes reflected it.   We went outside to one of the vendors.  The kids ate hot dogs and I ate a knish.  I was in potato heaven!!!  YUMMY!!  We also shared a pretzel.  

Back inside to the Romans and Greeks.  Abigail really liked this part.  Last year's history still sticks with her.  There were even maps and she was so excited.  

From here we ventured to the African Art.  And then we went off to the Modern Art section.  This was my favorite section.  I love to look at the paintings.  We also walked through the impressionists too.    There is just so much to see and not enough time or energy.   Below you will find all the photos in order of our journey.  (There are lots more, I just did not load all!)

The Met

sphinx

Sarcophageas

Temple

First American Animal sculptor. Lion and cub. Ab favorite.

Very intricate details on this armor from Italy.

Young ones in front of a knights display.

Outside eating lunch.

Italian Marble Sarcophageas

Very long Canoe from Indonesia

Mystery mask worn at death.  Joshua liked this!

Made completely of feathers.  Central/South America

Self-portrait Pablo Picasso

Jesus and Apostles

Sculpture about the a-bomb.

Jackson Pollack called "Outburst" (loved it)

Children done with Modern Art section.

Sayen Gardens

Barb and I are so much alike that we decided we needed to see more of each other.  This week we met at a really nice park called Sayen Gardens.  Just beautiful.  We met for lunch and had a picnic on the lawn.  Then we walked around all the different paths.   We were allowing the children to lead as we were deep in conversation and before we knew it we were off the beaten path and going through some thickets and pricker bushes.  What were we thinking.  When we finally made it back to the correct path, we did the leading and they did the following.  (They were actually still in front of us, we just told them which paths to take.)  It was a great 1 1/2 hours together.  Thanks again my dear friend. 

Today Stephen asked to use the camera and capture some pictures.  Unfortunately my battery died in the camera, so there are not too many pics.  I remembered that my phone takes photos and used that as well.  So I do hope you enjoy looking at what we captured and that they can depict the beauty that we enjoyed this afternoon.

Get together!

Today I enjoyed my day because I was able to spend some time with my friend Barb.  Barb and I have known each other for lots of years but it wasn't until Nashville - earlier this year - that we realized how much alike we really are!   She sent me a text message last night inviting me and the kids for lunch today.  We had to do an early lunch as Joshua had gymnastics today but we were able to squeeze in two hours together.  Yea!!!  It was a nice day too so the kiddos were able to play outside.   They have these marshmallow guns and Stephen was enjoying himself shooting the children!   It was so good that we talked about setting this up for once a week now.  We both are in dire need of support as our kids are going buggo trying to finish up schooling.