Sister Cities Park

 A wonderful new park just opened up at the end of May. It's called Sister Cities Park. It's located next to Logan Square (really a circle), which is in the middle of The Academy of Natural Science, The Franklin Institute & The Philadelphia Library. It's on a tiny stretch on land, but it's beautiful. You would enjoy going most if you have young kids.
The park is meant to play and explore everywhere. The wading pond is actually meant for wooden boat rentals.
There is also a wonderful cafe that's originally from West Philly (near Clark Park) called Milk & Honey. They have great coffee, tea and snacks. The coolest part about the new location...they build a green roof. As in there is actual grass on the roof!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So cool. It helps to cool the building tremendously, plus help purify the air.
I love our city.

The Barnes Museum

I had never even heard of the Barnes Museum until recently.
An incredibly rich man, Albert C Barnes made his money off of inventing Argyrol. It prevented blindness in newborns if the mother had malaria. He sold his company months before the stock market crashed in 1929. After that he began collecting art for himself. The 2,500 items in the collection include major works by (among others) Rousseau, Modiggliani, Soutine, Seurat, Degas, and van Gogh. The entire collection is estimated today to be worth between $20 and $30 billion.
Last night we went with friends to the grand opening. The tickets were free and you had one hour to tour the new building and take in as much as you could. We didn't even make it half way through his collection in an hour! The next tour was coming in a 9pm so we had be get out. 
We plan on going back, with out kids. You can take them, but I wouldn't. The 1st Sunday of every month is free. Check this website for more information. It's certainly something worth doing!
If you'd like to hear/read some of the story, check it our from NPR here.

The architects and planners did their best to mimic the Barnes residence in Lower Merion.

Great new park

Last week we discovered a great new park that we will certainly frequent this summer. It has two names; Lower Merion Nature Conservancy or Rolling Hill Park. Either way, it's a 103 acre park located just off of Rt 23 in Gladwyn. It's got lots of hiking trails, it's dog friendly, and it's got a creek you can stomp around in. There is also a small sand pit for kids to play in near the office.
Lilia went here with her preschool once a month all year long as a learning opportunity. She got to show us around last Thursday night. If you're looking to get away, check this place out!
Check out their website here, which includes directions.

Check this out...

Since we moved in almost 3 years ago I've been praying for a schooling option for Lilia. As the time got closer and closer, I began praying that God would make it absolutely clear. Like so clear that I would have no doubt that this is where she should go to school. We check this out...

Here's how God brought clarity and absolute assurance:

Spruce Hill Christian school will pay for 56% of Lilia's tuition for her Kindergarten year.

We got an official denial from Greenfield last Thursday.

(Greenfield is the public school we were hoping to get Lilia into for the fall.)

We were still left wondering where we would come up with the extra $230/month to send her to Spruce Hill.

On Saturday Dave got an email from a Chinese church we've been working with that they want to start supporting us for $231/month. If that's not evidence and proof that God loves us, then I don't know what is!!! Wow!

Styles Mother's Day

Alex, Katie, Linda, Lilia, AnnMarie, Ellie and baby girl #2 on the way (for Matt & AnnMarie)

Ellie

Oh my goodness...isn't she CUTE!!!!!!! 

Reading stories with Nannie

10 months old

An old fashion shootin'

Ready steady aim 

Shock that I actually hit the can

Celebrating my shot

My brother was digging around upstairs and found my dad's old pellet gun. I have distinct memory with my dad and Matt and this gun. We were up the mountains and the three of us pulled off the road that leads to Big Boulder Ski Resort. We hiked back on an ATV trail until we found a good spot to practice shooting cans. I don't remember if I hit any then, but I do remember giving it a go. I guess those are the things you do when you grow up with a brother.

So Matt pulled the gun out, pumped it up a few times and we all aimed and took shots. It was a lot of fun. Good times!

Brindley Mother's Day

 We had a wonderful Mother's day weekend. We celebrated with my mother-in-law on Saturday with a hike and a picnic at Valley Forge Park. It was perfect; the weather, the hike, the scenery, the company, the food, everything!
We parked near the covered bridge and walked along the river. Lilia noticed a steep trail and asked if we could take it. We agreed. It was much steeper than I remembered, but we had fun.
Lilia was the "pack leader," announcing that we were all a pack and she was in the front leading. She would tell us to line up, to hold hands and to jump over cuts in the trail. We thought she was hilarious. She's going to need a husband that is also a strong leader or she will run and rule all over him!
Once we made it back down to the parking lot, we set out a blanket in a beautiful field and enjoyed hoagies and chips.

Do you like the winter hat? Alex picked it himself.

Cards & Cupcakes

Picking a cupcake and adding sprinkles

"When the morning comes"

After lunch Dave and the kids went marching through the field. Dave pulled out his iphone and played the band Ok Go, when the morning comes. They do a marching band version that we would sometimes play at home and march around to the song.
If you would like to hear the song/see the video, click here:
Ok Go, When the morning comes.

Too grown up

Tonight after dinner Lilia was helping Alex potty train. She brought a seat up from the basement that sits on the toilet. She carried it up saying to Alex, "Now you're a big boy and you will learn to go on the toilet with this."
Alex followed her into the bathroom and she proceeded to set it up. "Ok now lets get your diaper off," Lilia said.
Alex got onto the toilet and then attempted to go on the potty. As he was sitting there Lilia said to me, "Mommy I need to talk to you in private," then she waved me towards her.
She whispered to me, "Can Alex wear big boy underwear?"
So if anyone reading this blog needs Lilia to help potty train their children, I'll lend her out!

We the People...

Dave and I spent Friday night at a cocktail party at the Constitution Center. It was a fabulous evening. The event was a fundraising dinner for Spruce Hill Christian School. (The have schooling all the way through 12 grade.) Friends of our at church invited us to come. Their kids attend the school and it was helpful for her when she was making the decision to go to Spruce Hill. 

Dave and I got a great feel for the school that night. I loved their vision; to be a light to the city. Their mission is to stand in between destruction and joy. The school is a place where kids who come from rough places can find a comforting place. They don't want to shy away from the difficult things in the city. As a community, they want to be in the city; being a beacon of light. We both left that night feeling great about our decision!

 We also got to enjoy the touristy parts. However I must say this room is something out of a horror film, especially if the lights ever went out. These founding fathers were so life-like.

Quote of the Day

Lilia prayed at dinner tonight. Here's what she said,
"Dear Lord, thank you for the animals. Thank you for giraffes. And for their babies, help them to grow strong. Protect them out there from the hyenas. And I know that one kick can kill a lion. Amen."