BenSpark Family Adventures

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01671 Dan and Marcia are leaving tomorrow so tonight we drove down to Warwick to go to dinner at Iggy’s Doughboys & Chowder House. It was a nice night and so we sat out on the patio by the water and enjoyed our meal. Afterwards we took some family photos by the water. We were down that way because Andy had their first day at Johnson and Wales and the cooking camp. Andy went last year and really enjoyed it and is looking forward to continuing to attend during the Summers and even do the teen program. Allison took Andy down because I had to try and sleep after the weekend.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01670 Mimi and Dano are visiting with us for a couple of days. They arrived yesterday afternoon and spent today with the kids and Allison at the Providence Flea and they also went to Rock Spot in Providence. That location is all bouldering but Andy had a nice time there anyway. We’ll have to get them out and climbing at another place again later this month. Tonight we did steak tips. We tried to do it outside but there was a rather persistent yellow jacket that was harassing Eva. So, we moved the meal inside.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01669 Heading into work tonight and I saw a turkey vulture at the front doors of the building. There were actually two of them out there. I have been seeing more and more of them around this area and I cannot recall ever seeing them before as a kid. Now I am seeing them very often around the area. I even saw one clearing off road kill as I drove down a street near my house. Not sure where they are all coming from but there are many around here.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01668 Eva comes home tomorrow from her extra week on the Cape. We decided to take Andy to Snappy Dogs for lunch because Andy really enjoys the hot dogs there but it isn’t so much Eva’s favorite. She loves the Snappy Dogs ladies Teresa and Lisa but not those particular hot dogs. So, it felt like the best time to do a special adventure just with Andy. We ran up there and enjoyed some Big Dogs, no Great Dane for me today, I was saving some room. Saving room for some ice cream at Frisbie’s. We stopped there on the way back from Snappy Dogs to enjoy some tasty ice cream. As we were pulling in I realized that Allison’s car needed to be inspected so when we got home I went out and got a new wiper blade for the passenger side of the windshield at Advanced Auto parts and then ran over to Achin’s Garage to get the inspection. I knew I wasn’t going to have time to do so before we had to start running Andy down to cooking camp next week.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01667 For lunch today we had Chopped BLT sandwiches. What is the difference between this and a regular BLT. Well, chopped sandwiches are becoming a trend on Tik Tok and I thought I’d give it a try. We had some bacon pieces from Imperfect Foods. They sell some bacon as the parts and pieces rather than strips. This is all the bacon that doesn’t look like nice neat strips. Allison cooked that up and then we put in some lettuce, one slice of onion and a tomato plus pickles. Normally Andy will only eat what he calls a BLP, Bacon Lettuce and Pickles but I told him to give this a try this time around. What we discovered was that this was a good way to enjoy a BLT but we should have mixed it all with some mayo to keep things together better. Next time we will do that. I also think that next time we do it on toast for a really good crunch. I ended up running to Seabra three separate times today. Once to get city trash bags, once to get pickles for lunch and one last time ...

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01666 Allison and I took Andy to the Cinema Pub today. We’ve been cleaning the house and getting things ready for Mimi and Dano to visit. It is hot and sticky so it was a good day to go to an early afternoon movie together. We saw the movie Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken by Dreamworks. The movie was a cute one. there were several laugh out loud moments in it, too. The nice thing about going on a Wednesday, too is that they have a date night special which is $30 for two entries and two drinks which includes wine or beer. So it wasn’t crazy expensive for the activity.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01665 The chalkboard wall was a big hit. Allison saw it and was impressed. Andy saw all sorts of art possibilities and was thrilled. Allison quickly sketched out what she envisioned for the wall and she used some paint to make the calendar template as well as the meals for the week and the shopping list. She also looked up some quotes to use for the top of the wall and the very bottom is where Andy and Eva can draw things. It is already getting some good use.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01664 During the course of the remodel of the bathroom a wall in the kitchen had to be opened up to access a pipe. Since we never touched the kitchen at all while living here we did not have the paint to paint the wall. My dad suggested that I get some of that chalkboard paint and paint the wall that way. I had been waiting for a day when Allison and the kids were out of the house because that is the best time for me to get projects completed. Today some of the girls from Andy’s old school invited him over for a going away party. They were all very sad to hear that he was leaving for another school and wanted to do something so that he knew that people did care about him. It was a very nice gesture and he had a fantastic time there. While they were gone I got to work and painted the all using chalkboard paint. I put two coats on it and I think it came out pretty good. There are certainly parts I have to touch up but will, or will not, eventually. I picked up a fe...

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01663 I was in a meeting for work tonight and our new manager noticed a large black square behind me. They asked what it was and I told them about the Twinkly Squares. Unfortunately during our meeting I could not get it turned on because I had it plugged into the wrong plug and it would not turn on. I was able to turn it on after the meeting. I guess I’ll go ahead and start using the twinkly more to decorate the office.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01662 Today we went over to my uncle’s house to celebrate my cousins daughter’s 2nd birthday. It was a nice warm day and Andy took advantage of the pool. they spent most of the time at the party in the pool. Andy discovered a pizza shaped pool float and a paddle so they paddled all around the pool. Andy also did a very good job playing around the younger kids, giving them space and being a good example. Allison and Eva had a nice night where they went to see Eva’s friend Elizabeth n Little Shop of Horrors. They had a lot of fun.

Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01661 Today was the last day of Science School for the kids. Families could come to the school for the last 15 minutes of each class. We went to see Eva’s class first. We were able to see all of the artwork that she created. Eva did some great things this year and learned a bunch of awesome techniques that she can incorporate into her art. After Eva’s class we went and walked around Woods hole while Andy had their class. We went to the MBL and WHOI gift shops, Coffee O and the harbor. When it was time we headed back to the Science School to visit Andy’s classroom. When we got there we played a game of Pictionary. The kids won. When we left we decided to take harbor photos again because it was a much better day. The kids had a great year at Science School and are looking forward to next year’s classes. I hope that Eva gets into photography next year. she’ll love it.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01660 Tonight was our last night on the Cape. We had a great steak dinner together and then the kids went down the beach to Hogz and Dogz. We debated letting the kids go do this on their own. However, all of the kids went together. It is a good thing, too because the kids got hassled by some teenage girls as they walked back home. The girls made comments to Eva and Dylan defended her by telling off the girls. They came home and told us all about it. Of course they were keyed up and excited. then my sisters walked down the beach to see if they got harassed as well. The kids went upstairs to watch from Eva’s bedroom window. We were on the front porch and could hear them yelling and cheering. However, when my sisters came back they told us that they had not seen these girls. The kids were all sorts of wild about what happened. It was good to see the kids sticking up for each other.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01659 This morning Allison, Andy and I went to the beach in the morning to go paddle boarding. We had tried many times to go paddle boarding and this time we got a longer time on the water, no lightning. There was a group on the beach having a private memorial for a family member. As I took the last board out of the water they were spreading the ashes of their family member into the water. It was a little strange to be there at that time. We also spent a good time at the beach before lunch and got to spend some quality time swimming. We did that and then after I picked Andy up from Science School I also picked up pizza from Paul’s pizza to enjoy pizza at the beach. It was a bit windy but we still had a nice time enjoying the pizza. Tonight Eva went with Auntie Tara to Folk Dancing in Woods Hole. She had a fantastic time.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01658 Tonight Allison and I went to The Flying Bridge for dinner. Allion had gotten a gift card last year at the end of the school year and we were unable to use it last Summer. However, tonight my parents said that they’d take the kids and we can go out for dinner. We got there and luckily it was not that busy so we were able to get a table outside. It was a nice night for dinner on the patio. We decided to enjoy a Fisherman’s Platter together and also get some clam chowder. After dinner we got some ice cream at Dairy Queen. Allison chaperoned Andy’s driving field trip today for Science School. They went to Sippewissett marsh. It was an experience and Andy found a sea worm. That grossed Allison out big time. The kids also caught a flounder and more.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01657 The kids ended up playing lots of card games together over the past few weeks. Andy learned how to play Rummy, 21 and then taught their cousins Trash and a few other games. We also had regular visits from their friend Evie. She would swing by after her swimming lesson and ask if she could come back over after she took her shower. She was one of the kids who was part of our Science School car pooling.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01656 Today is national ice Cream day and while I was sleeping the day away Allison and the kids went to Frisbie’s for ice cream. They had some special cereal flavored ice creams and Andy got a pint of Lucky charms ice cream. I did not remember that when I got up and decided to go over to Bliss to get myself a sundae. Next year, maybe we’ll do some special ice cream that Andy makes on their Ninja Creami.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01655 I was at Stop and Shop tonight to get a couple of snacks for work. I had to go into the office so when I do I get myself a treat. These ice cream sandwiches spoke to me for some reason… This morning I had a nice breakfast with my friend, Neil. We do this from time to time. Not frequently but once in a while. We met up at Morin’s and had a nice breakfast and good conversation. Must have been just what I needed because I went home and fell asleep and didn’t wake until 5:15pm. Best weekend sleep in a while.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01654 Today I took Andy on some errands. We first went to Eugene Henry’s Gastronomical Delights to look around. I picked up a few candies and we each got a Nehi soda. Andy wanted a butter flavored soda but I figured that they should get something that he would actually finish. So Andy got a peach Nehi while I got a grape Nehi. Andy kept both bottles and both bottle caps. Not sure why but Andy wanted them. After the trip to Eugene Henry’s we went to Eastern Tackle to pick up a gift for Uncle Tim’s birthday. Then we went to Walmart to pick up fish food for an experiment that Andy wanted to do at Science School. When I picked Andy up from Science School they let me know that most of the experiment was done. One part was substituted for something else and Andy didn’t seem too upset about the change. Andy is really enjoying this class this Summer.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01653 The kids did not want to paddleboard this morning so instead I headed to Mashpee Commons and got donuts from Duke’s Donut Worx. This place makes custom donuts and they are delicious. I picked up a half dozen for us to try together. There was the Pinkie Tuscadero, which we got last year but it was good enough to get again. There was also the bomb pop which was very sweet but tasted like a bomb pop popsicle. There was the chocolate strawberry which was good, nothing too surprising there. I got a traditional honey dipped for my Dad and a brown butter cinnamon roll for us to try out. Allison said that it tasted like Fried Dough. There was also a ginger snap one with cream cheese frosting. It was good, not my favorite but tasty. I was first in line.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01652 Over the weekend I was thinking about what I could make for one of the dinners this week. I decided that I would attempt to make Spatchcock chicken. Spatchcocking is when you cut the backbone out of a whole chicken so that you can roast it flat. We had a chicken that was in the freezer and I didn’t think it was enough so I picked up some legs and a couple of breasts. That was a good thing because the whole chicken was a year old and was tough and gamey. Next time I do this it will be with a brand new bird from the store. I will even see if the butcher department can spatchcock it for me. One less step. the individual legs and breasts came out great. I used the FlavorQ that we got dad for Father’s Day/Birthday along with the chip charwood and it gave some great flavor to the chicken along with a seasoning mix that I picked up at Eugene Henry’s Gastronomical Delights. That seasoning was excellent. this morning I did take the boys over to the beach where we us...

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01651 Tonight the guys and the girls went our separate ways for dinner and evening entertainment. The girls went out to Anejo for dinner and then to see The Music Man at a local theater. The guys went to The Ninety-Nine for dinner and then to Dairy Queen for some ice cream and then hung out on the front porch. Andy and dylan played very well together today. They even wanted Dylan to stay overnight in the trundle bed but that was not happening, neither of the boys would sleep if that was the case. Instead we agreed that Dylan would come over early and I’d take the boys out on the paddle boards.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01650 That is the face that Eva makes when her cousin and Aunt get too close to her personal space. After dinner tonight we were all on the sunporch and Kylie was petting Eva’s hair. Eva did not appreciate it. So, of course, Kylie kept doing it. Eva was trying to scrunch away from the situation while still staying on her chair. It didn’t work. Luckily she could laugh about it.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01649 It is the end of the weekend and I am once again working out on the sunporch on the Cape. We had dinner and then I set up my computer and work station. The family continued their game of Rummy 500 from the other night. Eva took over for Uncle Erik and there was a lot of laughter going on. The sunporch has two outdoor windows on the inner walls to the dining room. In one window there is a special painted window of a cow in a Santa hat with ornaments. My in laws gave this to my parents one year. Well, my niece doesn’t like it and thinks that the cow is pooping an ornament. So, my mother decided to put up a window valance to cover up the lower half of the cow and have the face only peeking out. This is not acceptable to my sister who has been trying to redecorate the sunporch to get us out of thrift store sheik. We’re planning out the meals for the week and I have been toying with the idea of doing a spatchcock chicken on the grill. I watched a few videos last...

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01648 We’ve been down the Cape for the past week. I decided that I would work from here this weekend to see how it would be. I’ve been working from home for a few years now and haven’t done work from the Cape before because I had to be on the phone with people and I did not want to disturb anyone in the house. Now that I don’t take phone calls I don’t have to worry about my voice carrying and keeping anyone up. So, I am working here on the sunporch at The Cape. The sunporch is also a big gathering spot for the whole family. So, after dinner while I set up for work Dad and Andy and Tara and Erik and Mom hung out here. They were playing Rummy while I was working. Later on we were joined by cousin Dylan and Auntie Shelby. I had to explain what I do for work. Of course, I don’t have to do a ton of work overnight so I have a few things to keep me awake and entertained. I do love that whenever I am actually typing I’m asked if I am working.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01647 The kids are having their annual rock sale sometime within the next few weeks and so the rock painting has begun. Andy has done a bunch of them and the one that Andy makes the most is the jellyfish one. They came out so cute. I did some rudimentary lighthouses. Allison did some abstract ones but didn’t like them very much. In the afternoon the cousins joined in to make some additional rocks. We have a bunch so far.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01646 Tonight we had a family celebration for my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary. We broke in the new table on the sunporch and it is big enough for all 12 of us to be around the table. We had corn on the cob, swordfish and steak tips for dinner. Tara and Shelby prepared everything and I grilled up the dinner. I did a much better job tonight than our meal last night. We had gotten a pork shoulder to make pulled pork but it was not my best work. Dinner tonight was excellent. After dinner we went over to the beach and our neighbor took a bunch of family photos for us. So, mom and dad will have their Christmas card photo for this year.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01645 Tonight was the back to school night for the Science School. That is the night were we go and spend a few minutes with each of the kids’ teachers and learn what they are doing for the year. The kids have some really night teachers and there are some fun things that they are doing this year. Andy will be going out and about for many field trips to collect specimens. Eva will be spending more time in the classroom drawing with many different mediums. She loves that. The fireworks did not happen tonight. They were canceled due to intense fog. Unfortunately they were cancelled right at the time when they were supposed to go off. We had many disappointed people but the crowd did clear out pretty quickly.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01644 We are here on the Cape and it is Fourth of July. Andy decided to may red, white and blueberry pancakes and arrange them as if they were the American flag. Very creative. The weather for much of the day was pretty lackluster. We had rain during the annual parade but we walked around through it. I helped carry the giant American flag. Andy rollerbladed the whole route and did pretty well. We had a cook out tonight with burgers and dogs. Unfortunately, the fireworks were postponed until tomorrow night. We did have another night of front porch sitting. The crowds were not a large as the night before but they were still pretty big.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01643 Today was the first day for the kids at Woods Hole Children’s School of Science. Eva and Kylie go in the early afternoon and Andy the late afternoon. Eva is taking illustration and Andy taking experimental ecology. Both kids seem to be pretty happy with their classes so far. It has been busy down here. Many people are down for the 4th and the beach today was packed. Tonight we watched the groups of kids all over the place. We’re in a high traffic area and the front porch is a great place to people watch. It is all narrated as well. Speculation and commentary run rampant on the porch.

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01642 This morning we headed down to the Cape for a few weeks. Andy and Eva are going to start Science School tomorrow. Tonight I am going to work from the Cape House for the first time ever. I never did it before because I used to work in a job where I had to speak on the phone at all hours of the night. Now I do not have to talk with anyone so I figured I would not disturb anyone in the house by working here overnight. It will be strange to he up all night here but I think it will work. We got down and I took a nap. I remembered to bring my earplugs with me and I was able to sleep through all sorts of things. We had dinner on the new sunporch furniture with Mom, Dad, Tar and Erik. We had pizza and then after dinner I took Andy across the street so that they could do some roller blading. Andy never took to bike riding but they do like roller blading and is pretty decent at it. Andy reminded me of 1989 when I got my first set of roller blades and would practice e...

  Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01641 Sure, Halloween is a few months away and we are just getting into the thick of Summer, but I wanted to let you know of something fun on the horizon. General Mills cereal sent me two cereals for the Halloween season for free to enjoy. We have known about the monster cereals for years: Count Chocula, Boo Berry, Frute Brute, Yummy Mummy and Franken Berry. This Halloween season The monsters are back but they are being joined by a brand new monster, the first in 35 years! This will also be the first female monster of the bunch. She’s a scrappy DJ Zombie named Carmella Creeper. Halloween’s hottest haunters are back together and, for the first time in 35 years, are joined by a new Monster! Following fan speculation and excitement, General Mills is introducing the newest frightening member of the Monsters Cereal crew: Carmella Creeper. Carmella — an edgy zombie DJ — is the first female Monster, bringing a fresh take to the Monsters’ dynamic. Carmella is ready to sh...