whit's end: Family Staycation: Day Two

We tried to plan our outings according to the weather forcast and since it was supposed to be near 100 degrees, we settled on doing something mostly indoors. After enjoying a lazy morning and a big, homemade breakfast, we headed to Norfolk to catch the ferry to Portsmouth. We only walked a block or so, and by the time we got to the ferry, I was seriously contemplating jumping from the ferry into the water, skirt and all. It was HOT and very humid. Once the ferry got moving, there was a pleasant breeze. The kids loved it- seeing all the boats and military ships and barges and tug boats...

walking to the ferry...Ethan's first time riding!

Elliot, Emma and I stood on the top level, right in front of the black smoke stack...it had the best view and the best breeze.

our crew on board...next stop: Children's Museum in Portsmouth.

The Children's Museum in Portsmouth was such a pleaser for everyone. After getting off the ferry and walking another block, air conditioning never felt so good!

Oh! There was sooo much to do there- especially for the ages of our kids right now.

Emma's favorite part of the museum was the Market. They had a whole area set up like a grocery store with fake food to buy & aprons to wear...she enjoyed filling her own basket: the first basket contained only coffee and her second only contained veggies.

But what she enjoyed most was the barn- retrieving eggs from the chickens...putting the eggs in the barrel, down they came under the chickens and into her basket they went. She'd walk around with them for a minute and start the process all over again. I really think this girl has farm in her blood!

You can't tell by this picture, but Elliot is standing up on a tugboat.

from the farm to the fires.

Daddy and his girl on a police bike

After spending a couple hours at the museum, we ventured downtown Portsmouth to get lunch. It was so hot, so we didn't linger making a decision. We chose the first deli we saw!

The owners were so kind and friendly to our family- bringing complimentary fresh fruit cups and cookie ice cream sundaes for the kids. It was a pleasant experience, and our food was great. Michael and I split a sandwich- and it is a good thing! Look at the size of it!!

We headed back to the museum after lunch and let the kids play and explore for a while longer. Elliot's favorite spot was the trains. There were hundreds on display, train tables and Thomas trains to play with, a massive train model with tunnels for the kids to go through and watch the trains pass by...the boys were elated & we had a hard time convincing them to go elsewhere in the museum.