Let's GO!!!

So next week my plan is to head to Wyoming for my friend's birthday, and it is kind of amazing to think of. I am guessing Wyoming will rank in the most amazing places I have visited once I return.......my friend lives in the true West, and due to flight logistics, it puts me there for a good amount of days to fully experience it all......and I am so excited. Rarely opting to do anything of that on my own,.......but having the stars align just so;-).......Currently I am working on transport to LaGuardia.......which nobody wants to ever deal with lol:) But the pieces will fall together as they do......however as excited as I am it is hard for me to be away from my kids......at all.....even for a span of days.....and adventuring with them has become one of my favorite things to do......so yesterday before I headed out to celebrate the 4th at my folks, I planned some adventuring of our own this week! THIS week feeling perfectly aligned for that...I am really excited, and so are my kids......I have some duty oriented stuff to do tomorrow, but Tuesday we are heading out to hit the Wildlife Center at Tupper Lake........going to pack a picnic and get up early and go......we are staying in a lakefront little place that night.....then headed the next day to this blueberry farm I have had in my sights, due to their magical treehouse restaurant, and lighted trail, it looks amazing......so we will experience both of those on Wednesday then stay near there in a cool spot......and finally get up on Thursday and drive a little ways to Niagara Falls and walk the park some before we head home.......I have a workshop Thursday night to make it back for......however we were too close to not check out Niagara again, and make the most of the day and mileage;-) My kids and I enjoyed Niagara when we went last time...... And it is a simple trip....not too many bells and whistles, but magic......and that has been the driver of our adventures, and my kids have loved it......we have visited some of the most magical places in simple getaways the last few years, and they have grown accustomed to it, as have I.....and we love it.....and so I know this week will shape up to be the same as we start crossing off more of our bucket list......my intention is to plan a big trip out west next year, and start saving for it.....for summer.....and we are hitting the OBX in September......our first school year trip......but the trip sort of fell into our laps and came together......we also have some day trips in our sights as the summer rolls on, and of course doctor's appointments to get out of the way, and a few days hiking with my parents in Watkins Glen and a few new spots in August........but it is shaping up to be the kind of summer where we squeeze every last drop out of it......and the truth is travel as a single mom is tricky....I hustle hard in all of the ways to sustain our life, in this economy, and allow for extras.....and I am never less grateful that somehow I can make that happen......these days with my kids in this space is a special time in our journey as they grow, and making time to create these experiences and having as many as we can has been everything......one day we will sit on the deck of my lake house retreat center and reminisce about this time in our journey, and the cool places we went......the Ice Castle in New Hampshire likely topping the list too;-) And it is so important that my kids are always grateful, not entitled.....the simplicity helping them remain grounded......humble experiences, and I am hoping as time continues we can keep low key adventuring and mix in a bells and whistle trip from time to time;-) But I always want them to hold deep appreciation for the simple things......the ones that don't cost too much, or nothing at all and revel in that....so that is my plan, to continue to show them that magic is found in ordinary places where you bring excitement and love to the table! So adventure we will.....enjoy your Sunday:) xoxo