Apr. 28, 2007 - Bon Bons and Battlefields
We are having a fabulos-o time here in PA! The drive was about 10 hours and the girls were wonderful; watched two dvds and sang along with their crazy mom to my ipod tunes. My brother's home is beautiful and it is so fun to be with their kids.
Friday we went to Hershey where the street lights are in the shape of Kisses and you can smell chocolate in the air. The World of Chocolate was perfect for this chocolate lover. (I LOVE chocolate... I even host a "Choctoberfest" every fall in my house that is just a zillion girlfriends and tons of chocolate. FUN!) Of course we learned lots on the little ride/tour that we went on twice. My favorite part s were the singing cows and the 3-D movie.
I'd like to come back and get the tour of the whole town; sounds like Mr. Hershey was an amazing man and not just for making every day of PMS or rotten children more bearable... he started an orphanage and many other things. 
Today is my birthday (29th) and I was treated to a t-shirt from Hershey and a fun necklace this morning at breakfast. Then we headed out to Gettysburg. We picnicked there and walked through the cemetary where we think a relative is buried. My brother is a HUGE Civil War buff, so he was the perfect tour guide.
The girls have memorized the beginning and ending of the Gettysburg address, so it was very cool to see where it was delivered. 
Probably the favorite thing for the girls was playing on the battlefield, climbing on the rocks in Devil's Den and on Little Round Top. 
I think they could have stayed all day. When we had to leave, surprisingly enough it was my oldest (whose social life is completely destroyed thanks to this trip) who really didn't want to leave!
I think I've done a decent job of introducing the Civil War and Gettysburg and some specific people like General Meade and Jenny Wade and Robert E Lee. I think that until I say something like, "We're going to Gettysburg tomorrow, girls!" and my youngest says, "Really? Are we going to see little people falling down?" My third daughter, Brynne, isn't quite getting it, either. "Why do you keep saying it was three days if it was four years?" But then she retold something extremely well to her sister... "The one guy was killed and then the guy that killed him was one of the guys that they were killing and then he was killed while they were killing the other guys. And then you know that one guy-- the one that was killed?...." 
Souvenirs from Gettysburg
Mom-- Christmas tree ornament and fabulous book with photos, great info, and activities for kids
Dad--Postcard to send to my dad. He's so much nicer than me.
Brynne-- Robert E. Lee's family in paper dolls
Shelby and Jenna, tomboys-- soldier hats and swords. Of course Shelby, who can boss Jenna around while sounding simply helpful, got to be Union while Jenna is Confederate.
Cassie, who is NOT a tomboy--a fuzzy pink pencil that reads "Gettysburg." Who wouldn't want one of those?
My baby brother (who is 18 months younger than me yet somehow turned 29 four and a half years ago) cooked an incredible birthday dinner for me on the grill, London Broil and asparagus. YUM! Dessert was a fabulous strawberry shortcake.
It has been a very happy birthday for this very happy girl. 
Comments
Apr. 28, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by nsremom
I was going to surprise you and say Happy Birthday to you! (but fishing and other assorted activities got in the way)
The way you described Hershey made my mouth water. The best picture was all 4 girls sipping their....dare I make a guess....chocolate?
and your daughter who retold the story of the guy who was killed by the guy who was the guy who killed that other guy that time?
I know that story. She's a genius.
HAPPY 29TH BIRTHDAY!!!!
Apr. 28, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 2peter318
I'm so glad you are having a good time. I loved the photos. :)
JoAnn
Apr. 29, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by grace4gayle
Happy Birthday! 29 again? Why didn't someone tell me you can stop counting when you want to? I envy you for being so close to all our country's great historical stuff. Where I live it's all about Lewis and Clark and it's getting kind of old. I would love to be able to visit gettysburg, plymouth plantation, DC, all that stuff over thar!
Glad your having fun.
Apr. 29, 2007 - Thanks...
Posted by ReviewsbyHeidi
.....for stopping by my blog and leaving me a comment. I was thrilled to pop back over to your blog and see that you are visiting PA! I'm in PA, and was just at the Hershey Chocolate Factory a few weeks ago (we got quite often~ as I'm a chocoholic too). I'd love to come to one of your Choctoberfests sometime~ sounds like a blast!
I'm going to add you to my friends list so I can check back often.
Heidi
Apr. 29, 2007 - Love the cows! Now I have the theme song stuck in my head!
Posted by EEEEMommy
The chocolate is great, but have you smelled the peanuts that they're roasting at the Reesees plant? Chocolate & peanuts in the air....mmmm!
My father-in-law worked for Hershey and they now live in the next town over. It's such a fun place to visit. We haven't done Gettysburg with the kids yet (although we drove past it countless times on our trips from Virginia to Hershey).
I'm glad you're having a great trip!
Happy Birthday!
May. 1, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by PumpkinsMomma
sounds wonderful, the chocolate and souvenirs and all :)
marie
May. 1, 2007 - Fun
Posted by weesma
I love the idea of Choctoberfest! I want to come!
The pics are great. How do you find time to post when you're having so much fun?
Enjoy!
Joanna
