Our summer closes with numerous trips to the pool and a few birthday parties at the Little Gym. Happy 4th birthday to Kendall and Owen. It turns out that our little ones seriously enjoy the gym. Ben couldn't get enough of the parallel bars and Mia tried hard to do the Iron Cross on the rings. The mats were super fun and they both went head over heels quite literally. Mommy and Erica had one last outing with the kids at the National Aquarium. We knew we were out numbered with 4 kids to two adults but we survived a dolphin show, diaper blow-out, four overlapping hunger meltdowns and lunch out in public. All in all it was a great time!
Oh YES!!! The Montgomery County Fair came back to town...carnies, moonbounces, fire trucks, tractors, livestock, fried food, sweet food, pig races, pony rides, etc...
New additions to this year's fair included photos with a pirate and Mia, Owen, Daddy and Allen got to ride the Ferris Wheel. That was definitely the highlight of the trip as we waited in line for at least an hour and they went up onto the Wheel around 9:30pm which meant it was a late night for everyone. But there were no meltdowns, just weary little children, satisfied parents and the excitement to return next summer.
Ben and pal, Nora. Mia and Owen bouncing their socks off. Mmm... corn dogs! Yes, this WAS creepy. Marlo and Jess happy as can be a few days before school starts. Jess, Dale, Owen, and the Browns posing on the John Deere tractors. Ben just loves his "Aunt" Jess. Pony rides and ice cream. The best time in the world- a spin around a Ferris Wheel after bedtime!!!
We had such a good time visiting with Grandma Brown this summer. Mia LOVED having Grandma read her books and Ben LOVED it when Grandma made airplane noises. We had a few outings during the week such as the College Park Aviation Museum, the National Aquarium and the Portrait Gallery. Grandma was even lucky enough to see Mia float on her back at the pool! Unfortunately, we don't have many pictures. Partly because Grandma has a new camera and we had fun using that, and also Mommy kept forgetting the camera everywhere we went. We did however have some drama on the Metro. Mia and Daddy got off at the right stop but the Metro doors slammed almost on Grandma's face. So Grandma, Mommy and Ben were whisked away without warning. Mia and Daddy waited (Mia quite hysterically). We managed to get off at the next stop and turn around but we're all a little weary now of electronic doors.
We kept her visit simple this time, real simple. In fact, we lost power for a few days! But nonetheless, we made the most of it. It was a crazy little adventure with ice runs, impromptu block parties and creative meals.
Mommy sure had a great time keeping the kids home this summer. The weather was mostly bareable which made it possible to spend a LOT of time outside in the yard. Benjamin is really into playing baseball, hitting the ball off the tee and of course Mia is too. We tried to take some mini-field trips to explore small kid friendly places around Silver Spring. In addition, Sharon and Doug's daughter, Amanda and her 2 year old son Lucas, spent almost an entire month here. Mia, Lucas, and Ben were inseparable; playing every morning and evening, often taking field trips together and evening wagon walks with Sharon's flavor of the day homemade popsicles...
Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton Park Ben, Lucas and Mia eating popsicles in the play house. Montgomery County Airpark- they have a restaurant there and a viewing area to watch planes take off and land. This was a HUGE hit with the toddlers. Never say no to a tutu. Daddy's gig at Northwest Branch Pool The new hit of the block-our new horse tire swing-Giddy UP! Lucas was here so long that he turned two on his visit! Mommy and Erica took Lydia, Mia, Ben and Gabbie to the Sleepy Beauty puppet show at Glenn Echo Park then headed for the carousel afterward. Summer wouldn't be complete without a Beach Boys concert! Daddy and Andrew took Mia and Luke to listen to the tunes at Wolf Trap. A huge storm hit the area right after the show causing power to be out around the region for 4 days.
Nightly wagon walks were a must and so were Sharon's popsicles! The College Park Aviation Museum is perfect for little ones to see some "Aiw Pwanes!". Batter up Wheaton Regional Park is fun and there's a train and carousel too! We went with the Stelynks and had a great picnic. Jackie and Andrew's for a BB-Q. Andrew and Brad gave Mia batting lessons but Ben wanted some too. Play date with Asa Art time BASKETBALL!!! Noyes Library and park outing with Sarah, Vivian and Olivia Sister and brother fun You could say it was a GREAT summer!
