Since Keith came home from his deployment and possibly for the next month, he has had lots of three and four day weekends. It has been wonderful for us because we have been able to travel around our area of the country, taking small day trips.
Yesterday we went to Mannheim, Germany, which was a little over an hour away. It was a very relaxing day and so refreshing to be out of Baumholder for a day.
We planned to take a picnic lunch with us to cut down on the cost of eating out. And it is so much easier to unpack a cooler filled with lunchables and drinks than deal with a restaurant.
We found a small park not far from where we parked our car that provided the perfect location for our little picnic.
We did realize that we forgot to get the drinks for the kids from the car, so we stopped in a store and purchased water bottles and water for them, so I’m not sure how cost effective our little picnic really was. But we can always use water bottles! And they were so cute, too! Here’s Will with his….I think I’m nominating him for the cheesiest grin award.
There was a grassy area right in front of where we sat down to eat. Throughout lunch, MC begged to play in the grass. So as soon as she finished eating, I told her to go for it! She jumped, ran, and rolled around in the grass.
She asked to take her camera as we were leaving home yesterday morning. I thought it would be fun for her, so she took it. Keith got a picture of her taking a picture. I’m going to do a post of just the pics she took from our trip later. I thought it would be fun to see them!
It didn’t take EA long to ask to play in the grass along with her sister. They had fun playing together. I love this second picture. It captures their friendship. They were so sweet walking along the street with us. They held hands and gabbed away just like little adults.
After leaving this park we spent some time walking down the pedestrian street and window shopping. This ended at another large park that had fountains and a tower that MC was fascinated by.
We let Will out of the stroller and planted ourselves in the grass to play.
The kids ran through the trees, chasing one another. Their daddy even joined them in a little game of “follow the leader”.
Keith took MC up into the tower that she was so intrigued by.
And he even got a great shot of the park fountain from the tower.
I laid down in the grass, closed my eyes, and just listened to the quietness of the sounds around me. It was incredibly relaxing to be outside in the grass. It did so much for my introverted soul after a week of filled with social events. It also made me long for a yard for my kids to play in. I miss that for them more than anything else.
After enjoying our time out in the open we stopped at an EIS Cafe on the street for strawberry ice cream.
Will enjoyed his so much that he drank the little bit that was left melted in the bottom of his cup after he ate it all up!
Ann Marie says
what beautiful pictures! I like the one of EA and MC looking at each other – and of you with your diet coke! 🙂 Glad you had such a great day!
Donnetta says
Looks and sounds like a lovely time. How wonderful that you’ve been having this time together!
homegrownstrawberries says
It looks like you all had a great time!
Nancy M. says
There are so many beautiful places near where you live. It’s wonderful that y’all are able to visit them and share them with us! Great pictures!