ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

My whole family was nominated to do the ICE Bucket Challenge.  My kids were very excited to do it but before we let them do it, we  explained to them  the importance of this challenge. This challenge is being done by so many people to  help raise awareness about  the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease". ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. I have seen  few  videos of people  that are affected of this disease and it  is heartbreaking.

Here is the video of my daughter's  challenge.  Hubby and EJ were posted on Facebook as well.   Both of the kids don't feel really good when  they did the challenge so we let the ice melt first before dumping  it it on them.   If you have seen my  son's video, I did not like how my husband dumped it on him  but my son liked it, he think it was cool.

As part of the challenge, you have to make a monetary donation to ALS Foundation.  You can donate as low as $5.  If everyone who does the challenge will  donate, ALS will have the help they need to  do research and extend  help to  people who are battling with  ALS.

I hope that you can help too even if you don't do the challenge, you can make a donation  here.

Rain or Shine: The Regatta at Lake Arthur

We were invited to a Fil-Am party at Moraine State Park in Pleasant Valley, Portersville PA. It was an hour or so drive from our city. The morning of the event, it was raining so hard and we doubted that it would be a good day to go but since we already promised the person who invited us that we are going, we went despite of the weather condition.

It was still raining when we arrived but later on, the weather got so much better and we ended up having a blast.  The kids had so much fun at the  Lake Arthur.  The Regatta at Lake Arthur had different kinds of events that day so we  all enjoyed it as a family after we departed from the Fil -Am party and decided to have fun at the lake.

It was a bit chilly that day but the kids courageously  plunged in the water.

HUbby and I sat on the bench up top while watching the Burritos have fun in the water.

You can rent a kayak boat or you can bring your own floating device like this family did.

After an hour or so, the kids had enough of the water.  I like it that  they put a mark where you can swim and  they also put sand  so kids can play like they are in the ocean, pretty neat.

Our trip was worth it, rain or shine, there are things to do at Lake Arthur  because of the Regatta program they have.  You can ride their boat tour and they would take you around the  lake.  We didn't get to do that due to time constraints but maybe next time.

Ocean City, July 2014

Seeing my children enjoyed the water in Ocean City reminds me of my childhood. I grew up in a coastal area so most of the times, kids swim in the ocean when it is calm and safe. Kids over there pretty much learn how to swim by themselves.  We don't have to go through swimming lessons because it is part of our survival living in the  coastal area.  

I did not have  any fancy things growing up but I experienced fun things that my kids are not fortunate to have  living  in a modern world.  Simple living  to me is the bomb in learning  many things.

Gadgets did not exist in my childhood.  We did not even have a TV in our home but our childhood was  very normal.  We pretty much enjoy whatever is around us.

I am glad that although, we are  living  far from the ocean, we can afford to  go to one once in a while and let them experience the  joy of  things away from gadgets and stuff.

I am glad that my children enjoy even the simplest things like going on a creek and trying to catch cray fish.  You know just for experience.  A lot of kids are not interested anymore in doing those kind of activities.

Our son was fearless in the water.  He is not scared to go under the waves lol.

I miss the ocean ever since I came here but I am not really into  swimming in it.  I'd rather swim in the pool than in the ocean.

So yeah, our trip to Maryland was a fun-filled family trip that I hope my  children will always remember when  they grow up.

I hope that when I am gone and they somehow look through my blog posts and read them, that they would feel joy in their hearts.

We are not rich but we  d our best to  make our children's childhood worthwhile.  I think that is what matters the most.  I always tell them that  even though we can't afford a lot of things that they want, we love them!