Parties
The kids were lucky enough to be invited to some fun summer parties. First up, was our neighbor Logan's 3rd birthday party. It was at a local kid's gym and we loved it because we left with two exhausted kiddos!!
Next, we went to the Ackermann's house for some slip and slide fun. We love to get these kids together and they seem to really have fun together! Although, let's be honest, it is hard to have a BAD time when a slip n slide is involved. They finally got the hang of it this summer and we had to drag them off of the slide for some dinner.
Our Garden
This year, the kids helped me pick out plants for our planters. As usual, Lauren got a big planter on the back deck and Charlie got a big planter by the side of the house. They picked out strawberry plants, and annuals with a lot of color. We also picked out plenty of herbs (basil, oregano, parsley, dill, rosemary, and lavender), and a cherry tomato plant!
I ended up planting everything by myself, which was a nice break. Nothing like getting your hands dirty in complete peace and silence! =)
The plants on the back deck did pretty well. Unfortunately, the deer devoured my plants on the side of the house (poor Charlie) and on our front porch. Those plants tried to make a comeback but they never really bloomed the way we had imagined.
Nevertheless, the kids and I had a fun time watching the herbs/tomatoes grow. We had plenty of basil and picked tomatoes throughout the summer. It doesn't get much better than that!!
Pool/Beach Time/Water Park
Although we did not get to swim as much as we would have liked, we did make it out to the pool and water park a few times this summer.
We went to the Larry Weeks Community Pool, in Vint Hill, a few times. The kids loved the kiddie pool section and then we headed in to the big pool for some fun. We packed picnics and had lunch in the grassy area off the pool. It is a really nice facility, and I anticipate going there more often next summer.
We also went to the Atlantis Water Park a few times as well. Once again, both kids loved splashing around in the kiddie pool, and then we practiced swimming in the big pool. Lauren and Charlie also had a great time playing in the splash pad/playground. I had to drag them out of there every time we went.
National Night Out
This summer, the timing worked out, and we were able to attend Haymarket's National Night Out. The kids and I met Chad in Haymarket and we enjoyed bounce houses, dunk booths, face painting, live music, a car show, and some awesome food from local food trucks. The kids got to meet and watch the local police department and had fun playing with other local kids. It doesn't get much better than that!
Playtime at Home
This summer, we also tried to spend some quality time at home. We love to travel and visit with family/friends, but sometimes it is nice to just be together at home. Chad, the kids, and I were able to build cool forts in the family room, cook family dinners together, build Lego sets in the kitchen, play with homemade slime, spend time outside riding tractors/swinging out on the playground/shooting off rockets, and enjoying family movie nights!
Lego Fair
In August, the Lego Fair came to the Dulles Expo Center, and we knew the kids would love to go, so we surprised them with tickets. I have never seen so many Legos in one spot. There were displays for every theme you could imagine, and we loved walking through and taking it all in. Towards the end, we found an interactive area, where kids (and adults) were free to play and build to their hearts content. Lauren and Charlie spent quite a bit of time here, and I was happy for a chance to sit down and just watch. It was a fun day, and we all agree that we will be going back again next year!!
Picking Sunflowers
Every summer, we try to head out to Burnside Farms to pick our own sunflowers (or wildflowers, depending on the month). This year, the weather was a bit icky, but it wasn't raining, so we headed out to see how the fields were doing. It was the perfect time to go. The flowers were just starting to bloom, the crowds were small, and they had huge bounce houses set up for playtime. We picked a few flowers, stopped for some pictures, had a "tea party", and spent some time at the bounce houses.
Charlie was in rare form that day. While picking flowers, he kept picking up and playing with the bees buzzing around the blooms. And while on the bounce houses, he would climb up the big slide and refuse to come down. We were there far beyond the amount of time I would have liked, because we had to give him time to gain some confidence to come down the slide. He eventually came down and I was able to get them back home!
Beach Time
We tried to get home to the Eastern Shore as much as possible this summer, and I wanted to make sure the kids got at least one trip to Assateague State Park to play in the sand/water and see the horses. We had so much fun dodging the waves (that water was freezing cold!), building sand castles, picking up sea shells, and watching the wild horses wandering the beach. It might be a pain to drag all of the necessary gear out to the beach (blankets, coolers, chairs, umbrellas, toys, towels, etc), but it is all worth it for those precious moments of fun and innocence.
Jeep Rides!!!
Perhaps my favorite part of summer, is taking the kids out for a top down jeep ride. Mee-maw and Grandpa still have the Pearl Turkey, my Jeep from college/early marriage days, and I love to take the top off when we are home in the summer. I strap the car seats in, pop the kids in the back, and drive around town. It takes them a minute to get used to the wind in their faces, but they always have a great time. Lauren and Charlie both talk about the Jeep all year long!
This summer, the timing worked out, and we were able to attend Haymarket's National Night Out. The kids and I met Chad in Haymarket and we enjoyed bounce houses, dunk booths, face painting, live music, a car show, and some awesome food from local food trucks. The kids got to meet and watch the local police department and had fun playing with other local kids. It doesn't get much better than that!
Playtime at Home
This summer, we also tried to spend some quality time at home. We love to travel and visit with family/friends, but sometimes it is nice to just be together at home. Chad, the kids, and I were able to build cool forts in the family room, cook family dinners together, build Lego sets in the kitchen, play with homemade slime, spend time outside riding tractors/swinging out on the playground/shooting off rockets, and enjoying family movie nights!
Lego Fair
In August, the Lego Fair came to the Dulles Expo Center, and we knew the kids would love to go, so we surprised them with tickets. I have never seen so many Legos in one spot. There were displays for every theme you could imagine, and we loved walking through and taking it all in. Towards the end, we found an interactive area, where kids (and adults) were free to play and build to their hearts content. Lauren and Charlie spent quite a bit of time here, and I was happy for a chance to sit down and just watch. It was a fun day, and we all agree that we will be going back again next year!!
Summer Camps!!
This year, Lauren went to a Sports Camp, at Haymarket Elementary School. It was held during the morning and she was able to play a lot of basketball (which is why she wanted to go), along with some other fun games. She had so much fun, and enjoyed a little break from being home all day. I loved that she was able to get some good exercise in such a fun way!
Lauren also attended VBS, at the Sudley United Methodist Church, with her buddy Sam. The theme was Super Heroes and she had a great time. She discovered that other kids from her Kindergarten class were there as well, and she loved all of the crafts/singing/dress-up they were able to do. It was a half day, in the morning, and she was always worn out by the time we got home! I would say it was quite a success.
Every summer, we try to head out to Burnside Farms to pick our own sunflowers (or wildflowers, depending on the month). This year, the weather was a bit icky, but it wasn't raining, so we headed out to see how the fields were doing. It was the perfect time to go. The flowers were just starting to bloom, the crowds were small, and they had huge bounce houses set up for playtime. We picked a few flowers, stopped for some pictures, had a "tea party", and spent some time at the bounce houses.
Charlie was in rare form that day. While picking flowers, he kept picking up and playing with the bees buzzing around the blooms. And while on the bounce houses, he would climb up the big slide and refuse to come down. We were there far beyond the amount of time I would have liked, because we had to give him time to gain some confidence to come down the slide. He eventually came down and I was able to get them back home!
Beach Time
We tried to get home to the Eastern Shore as much as possible this summer, and I wanted to make sure the kids got at least one trip to Assateague State Park to play in the sand/water and see the horses. We had so much fun dodging the waves (that water was freezing cold!), building sand castles, picking up sea shells, and watching the wild horses wandering the beach. It might be a pain to drag all of the necessary gear out to the beach (blankets, coolers, chairs, umbrellas, toys, towels, etc), but it is all worth it for those precious moments of fun and innocence.
Jeep Rides!!!
Perhaps my favorite part of summer, is taking the kids out for a top down jeep ride. Mee-maw and Grandpa still have the Pearl Turkey, my Jeep from college/early marriage days, and I love to take the top off when we are home in the summer. I strap the car seats in, pop the kids in the back, and drive around town. It takes them a minute to get used to the wind in their faces, but they always have a great time. Lauren and Charlie both talk about the Jeep all year long!
As you can see in the pictures, this is a "Thumbs Up" summer experience, and I hope we can continue ALL of these traditions every year!!
No comments:
Post a Comment