To answer Melissa's comment...Rapho Township Park in Mount Joy. 

To get there:  283, get off at the exit for 772 and go toward Mt. Joy.  At the first light, turn left and a short way back you will see it.

This park is always a special treat for my girls and worth the drive. 

It is a new park--I think this is just the second year it has been completed.  My favorite part is that there is no mulch--all rubber under the equipment.  This not only gives access to children of all abilities, but my little crusier does so well and enjoys more than just the swings at this park.

There are two sections--one for younger children and then one for older children--both with equipment that entice the grown-ups to jump in and play.  In the toddler area are the famed "spinning chairs" which look like little buckets to sit in, but as soon as you give it a little push, it spins you around!  In the older section is a great inclined wheel that you can walk on (like a treadmill) or sit on and push with your feet.  If you check out this park, don't forget what Katie calls the "skateboard ramp."  I attached a photo with her on, but it is a small platform for your feet attached to a track with a place to hold on with your hands.  I've seen tweens at the park going nuts over this.

Each section is semi-enclosed by fence to keep kids from wandering into the parking lot and it appears that RESTROOMS (not outhouses!) are nearly complete! 

Not only is this a fantastic park, but it has several ball fields and loops of walking trails.

If you have been here...what is your favorite part?  If you haven't...I hope you check it out soon! 

p.s.  if you go during daytime hours...continue down 772 to The Country Store...my kids love the bulk candy here!  Our latest favorite is the graham cracker pretzels!

 Swings in the toddler section:

Equipment in the toddler section:

Updated version of the older horses to ride on:

Scootering on the awesome sidewalks:

Maggie crusing on equipment in the older kid section while Katie turns the crank that moves the little cart:

Kids on moving cart:

Super fun skateboarding:

I just wanted to introduce myself and what I want to document with my blog.

I have been blogging for more than a year for friends and family to keep up with my growing girls--Katie is nearly 5 and Maggie just turned 1!  My husband and I are transplants to the area...I grew up in Roaring Spring, PA (Between Altoona and Bedford), and my husband is from Greensburg, PA. 

How did we get here?  Well, I did my student teaching at Milton Hershey School in the Fall of 2002--when I graduated I started a job in January teaching Chemistry and Earth Science at Middletown Area High School.  My husband followed me down to the area in May 2003 when we were married and he has been at Lancaster Labs ever since.

I have since become a stay-at-home-mom to our sweet girls and we try to have a great time without a lot of money.  I love finding fun things to do with my girls and I am setting a goal of exploring a differnt place or new activity each week.

With our wonderful weather this week, I think some outside fun is in order!

Angel

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/angelhook/3-09020.jpg[/IMG]p.s.  I attached a photo of my girls from April...any guesses of where this was taken???