Ikea and Plymouth

Yesterday was some more sightseeing. We knew that rain was coming so we did our last outdoor trip yesterday. We headed out close to lunch time. So our first stop was Ikea. Not for shopping, well, not really anyway! We went for the FOOD!! LOL We LOVE the cafe there. Delicious Swedish Meatballs mmmmmmmmmm. After we all ate our lunch, we headed off around the store for a little bit.

We were disappointed because Smaland was closed. Smaland is where you can drop off your kids to play for an hour or so while you shop. The boys have usually gone and they love it. BFF and I have been WAITING for the day that the girls were fully potty trained and tall enough to go. And we arrived thinking, today is the day! Unfortunately for us, Smaland is closed on Tuesday's. :(

We enjoyed watching the girls try to climb in EVERY SINGLE bed on display. And we picked up a couple of toy nets for the girls stuffed animals. Then back to the van. And off to Plymouth.

It is a shame if you travel all the way to this area and do NOT take a trip to Plymouth to see the famous Plymouth Rock. This is my fourth trip there. It's not as impressive as you might think, LOL. If you read the history, you realize the rock was not identified for 120 years after the landing. So, at least in my eyes, it's highly suspect that THAT rock is THE rock. HOWEVER, I DO believe in what it stands for, that our nation was founded on a rock, a solid, firm, rock. Furthermore, I believe FULLY that this location in fact IS the pilgrim's landing site. Especially if you've been there and seen the geography of the area (which I'm certain has changed over time, but still...). So to me, the location matters, not the rock. The previous three times I've been there, the portico above the rock was under construction. The first 2 times the rock was in a wooden box and we couldn't even see it. Last time they had a small viewing window to look through, but, punk that I am, I climbed down the rocks onto the beach and looked at it from below LOL. THIS time, all the construction is finished, and it is a beautiful housing for the rock.

We also walked down the pier where the Mayflower II is. We did NOT go on the ship, as it is a PRICEY tour. But we can see a good portion of the ship from the pier.

As we began getting cold and the children restless, we headed back to the van. We began our drive and we noticed signs for the Forefather's Monument. Since BFF even hasn't seen it, we decided to go ahead. I am SO glad we did. The National Monument to the Forefather's is an EXTREMELY impressive monument. Is is TOWERING and extremely detailed. I have been so blessed to see so many of the major monuments of the US, and this did NOT disappoint me. It was not the height, or general size, it was the attention to minute details. The attempt to show a story, and share the values that brought our forefather's to this country in the first place. If you ever come out to the Boston area, and have time to go to Plymouth, MAKE SURE you drive up the hill to see this monument!!!

After that we headed home, we hit quite a bit of traffic as it was rush hour. But we made it safe and sound.

Today it IS raining and we are not planning to do much. I am hoping to take my parents out to lunch.