hendrickson park in woodbury.

History has always interested me ever since I took a trip to Goliad in the 7th grade. I still remember that trip as if it was yesterday. Riding on a crowded, bumpy bus full of noisy kids (i wasn't one of them) waiting to arrive to see everything that I had read in the history books in person. 

When I got into high school my love for history kind of went down hill. That is until I joined the LDS church in 1992. Genealogy caught my curiosity, and when I moved to the east coast I developed a major love for reading all about the civil war, and don't even get me started on D.C., Philly, and Boston. 

Those states truly exhibit their love for the red, white, and blue, and it shows when you drive into their city. There is show much history to learn, and read on how the pioneers lived on this side of the country. 

So in South Jersey there are a lot of old, old towns that were founded in the 1800's. Woodbury is one of them, and on this day I found out a little bit of history about this city. 

Last week we spontaneously took Noah to Hendrickson Park which is a park dedicated to Robert C. Hendrickson, and there are memorials of deceased policemen who were killed in the line of duty as well as veterans. 

We've always passed through this park back and forth from Blackwood to Woodbury, but have never gotten down to see what it's all about. I love parks like this where dedication is given to those who fought for country and died in doing so.

As soon as we parked and got out of the car I had a bit of a flashback. This place reminded me of our trip to Litchfield. 

There were a few benches to sit on, and a wide open space in which Noah can run around. 

This park is not really "a park." It is, but without the swings, and slide. There's also a beautiful memorial with names of World War II veterans.

It was so peaceful here, and I could tell Jon really needed some relaxation time with all the standing around he does at work. It was nice of him to have just laid down, and relaxed...that is until Noah got on top of him and began to jump on his back. Not sure if that was a good idea, but then again...Jon said his back felt a little bit better after Noah got off. 

Thank goodness for little feet that can heal any kind of aches his back may have been carrying. 

Oh...that thing he is holding is a paper towel roll in which I wrapped around with duck tape. I don't know what it is with little kids. They want you to keep the things that should be tossed straight into the recycling bin, and make some gadget out of it. The look on his face when I was about to throw it in the bin was too hard for me to handle. I couldn't recycle it. So I got some penguin looking duck tape, taped that sucker up, and when I was done I handed it to him. 

I told him it was a telescope.

And he treated it like one too! I spy....a flag! He loved it, and was sooooo happy!!

It was so nice for the three of us to relax with a picnic, and have Noah all to ourselves. He's such a sweet little boy who is so simple, and not picky as to where we take him when we venture outdoors.

Days like this when the sun is shining, eating a rice krispie treat, and seeing my little boy happy makes me happy. I pray for days like this every night so that I can wake up with a heart full of gratitude, and be selfless in the choices I make on a daily basis. 

I am so grateful to have had this day breathing, living, and in spending time with my two favorite boys.

With Memorial Day coming up it's nice to remember those who fought for our country, and to give thanks for all that they did. I am so glad we stopped by this park to become familiar with it.

We should be so lucky to continue to see our flags waving from beneath the sky.

So lucky.

What a lovely day it was in this part of Woodbury. 

a picnic, frisbee, & mr. softee.

The weather this past weekend was unbelievably beautiful, and this whole day was picture perfect. While my two teenage girls were at church prepping for the girls camp kick off, I had a blast spending most of the day with my two youngest.

My energy seems to increase when the weather is good, and as always we wanted to go to a park. Chelsea had the idea of having a picnic, and we were debating on which park to go to. 

We packed up some sandwiches, went to dollar tree to pick up some chips, drinks, and kosher pickles and headed out to a place where it was once a lake. 

When I blogged the other day about cherry blossoms, and mentioned how as we walked around the park & saw signs that read par 3 tee 13, well it is actually for disc Frisbee golf. 

The history of this park is very interesting, and I can't believe that every single photo on this post was once surrounded by water. 

Hard to believe right? 

*****
I hardly ever had picnics, or played frisbee as a youngster. Seriously I didn't. I only remember small moments in my youth in which my mother would take my sister and I to the park. It would usually be in the evenings when it was nice and cool, and the only thing they had were swings. Those hot Texas summers would really kick her butt, so she would mostly take us out in the evening (plus she worked most days). Back then we could stay in the park until 10 pm. Now most parks have curfews. 

I am so happy that I am doing things that keep me physically active with my kids, and that being a 'stay at home playground mom' is my role at this moment. Focusing on my kids totally helps me forget about the stresses of life, and any burden I may be carrying on my shoulders. And then there's ice cream! Mister Softee totally brightened our day, and it put a huge smile on the kids faces as they were eating their treats!

Unfortunately there are days where I may not be as motivated, but luckily I wake up with a prayer asking the Lord to help me be a good example to Noah and to give me the strength in doing this thing called motherhood. I want my kids to be happy, and when I see them laughing, and smiling I know that I'm doing something right. 

Especially when your kids see you "trying" to do the zipline (it's not for adults) & watching your eight year old grabbing your iPhone to take a quick picture of you while laughing at the same time. You know that you're day is pretty much complete, and that your "aha moment" passed & that is proof that their life as a child is pretty darn good. 

My days...I choose to make the best of everyday. No matter how gloomy the weather may be, no matter if it's that time of the month, no matter if I'm going through a trial, I always want to make the days for my children more meaningful, creative & fun. One that will go out of their way to do what they love. I'm young at heart, and if I have to cross those monkey bars next time with Chelsea so be it. Who cares if I get blisters. That's what a parent does, and that's what I'm trying to be great at. 

It's days like this in which I'm so thankful to God for helping me be the mother that I am today.

And this day was one of those days. 

Happy Monday!