a whole park to ourselves.

School resumes in exactly one week and I am taking advantage of finding fun things to do as a family without breaking our budget.

Earlier this week before Sierra left for teen pep we sporadically drove to Fort Mott state park to have a picnic. We gathered all of the kids, grabbed the cooler, and put all kinds of condiments inside. Luckily for us we had the whole place to ourselves.

This park is pretty big, and its free! Not as big as Central Park, but big enough to play frisbee, and it looks like everyone had a grand time. Trying to capture a picture of a frisbee being thrown in the air wasn't easy, but I think I took a few good shots.

It's funny how competitive these two get when it comes to a sport. It may look like they are playing soccer, but they are trying to reach for the frisbee. They do know how to laugh, and make up in the end! 

I love the wide open space of this park. It is so nice to not have it encumbered by crowds. Don't get me wrong...I love crowds, but there are days when you just need to hear the sound of your own children's laughter, and sometimes eavesdrop on your two oldest daughter's conversation without any background noise. They were oblivious when I took this picture of them!  

When we first ventured out here we weren't aware that there is a boat tour  that takes you around the Delaware River. Unfortunately we missed the last boat, and just stood against the rail overlooking the water. The sounds of the water splashing was so relaxing. I was actually sitting down on a bench with my face staring up at the sun, and then I got too hot.

Noah loves the water, and was on a mission trying to find rocks so that he can throw them into the water.

We decided to walk around the fort, and just enjoy this time as a family. I never want to take them for granted. I love spending time with all of them! Not just one, but when I have them all to myself I feel so blessed. Blessed because we are finding the time to be together, and are making up for those five months of being without a car. It is so nice to have your own vehicle, and be able to drive as far as you want without being pressed for time (i.e. renting a car, or borrowing someone else's.) 

This place is so peaceful, and it was so nice to have literally been the only ones (besides the staff) on Ft. Mott walking against the Delaware River to talk to our children about what goals they have for the school year, thoughts, or concerns they might want to discuss. I'm just grateful for the bond that we have as a family. Sure we may have major disagreements, but in the end we recognize the good and the bad that comes out from those disagreements and always find a common ground. That is something that I didn't really have growing up. So thankful that our children do...so thankful. 

Fort Mott State Park

When I first moved to New Jersey I had questioned my new friends of what fun things there are to do here in the area. A sweet sister in the church gave me a pamphlet of Fort Mott state park, and told me that this was a place where children can run around freely in the park, and learn about history as well. I have always wanted to take the kids there, but just never put it on our "things to do in New Jersey" list.

Since it was our last day of Spring break I decided to take the kids, and check out this place. This is a hidden treasure along the New Jersey coastline, and while dad was at work the kids and I took the turnpike to Fort Mott. We got here within 40 minutes.

Just to give y'all an idea as to the history of Fort Mott it is an Endicott-era fortification, and was built as part of the federal government's late 19th century plan to defend the Delaware River. Yes...there was a battle and, because we all have a penchant for history the kiddos enjoyed themselves as if they were in battle.

Not crazy about Noah "trying" to point his finger like holding a gun...Chelsea too!

We enjoyed touring the remnants of this historic fort. It is now a tourist site, and as you can see there is a park near the Delaware river with a lot of open space. We absolutely loved this place!

Crazy girls with their karate kick moves!

It was interesting to have hiked all around this fort, and to read about the history of New Jersey native... General Gershom Mott who was a Mexican War and Civil War veteran.

We sure loved all this wide open space, and to see all of this grass was heaven (who cares if there were stickers!) It was so nice to have had the kids run around the park, and stare out into the river.

I dreaded this day coming to an end. The kids and I had so much fun, and we took the long way home. Next time we'll bring dad, and have ourselves a bbq picnic. Back to reality tomorrow!