Summer Fun 2018!

This summer (2018) seemed to fly by.  We kept busy with trips to museums, the pool, the movie theater, spent time with family and friends, and of course we threw in plenty of hockey. 

Here is just a snippet of some of the things we enjoyed:

Salisbury Zoo

In June, we visited the Salisbury Zoo with Mee-maw, Grandpa, Aunt B, and Quinnie.  The weather was beautiful and we were able to see a lot of cute animals.  We then finished the trip with a stop at Ben's Red Swings, my favorite playground ever!

                               

                     

                               

Natural History Museam

In July, we visited the Natural History Museum, in Washington DC, with Mee-Maw and Grandpa.  It was a hot summer day, so the AC in the museum felt really good.  We most of the morning walking around and on the way out, we made a quick stop in the sculpture gardens next door.  The kids had a blast!  The adults did too!

           

                               

                               

Aquarium

In July, we also visited the National Aquarium, in Baltimore, with Grammy and Grumpa.  It was a rainy day, so it was nice to spend most of our time inside.  We had never been to the aquarium before, so this was a very cool experience.  We saw a lot of different fish, the kids got to pet a jellyfish and stingray, and we spent quite a bit of time watching the sharks swim around. 

                               

                               

                               

           

Charlie's first movie 

In July, I took Charlie to see his first movie in the theater.  We went to the Regal Theaters, in Manassas, and saw The Incredibles 2.  It was fantastic.  The kids loved it, I thought it was quite funny, and Charlie was captivated.  He sat still, ate his popcorn, and watched the entire movie.  Our first trip was a success, and now Charlie is already looking forward to his next movie in the theater.

 

                       

Mount Vernon

Continuing with the museum trips this summer, I decided it was time to take the kids to Mount Vernon.  I had not been since I was in elementary school and I was eager to see it again myself.  Lauren was excited to go because they have a 4D movie theater.  She is slightly obsessed with those. 

At the end of July, we drove over (a short 40 minute drive) and walked around.  We took in the movie, and it was awesome.  It was about General Washington's different battles during the American Revolution, complete with shaking chairs (bombs), fog, and falling snow.   Then we walked through the museum and took in the a tour of the house.  The kids especially loved rolling around on the lawn by the Potomac River.  We had a great time, and I would love to go back again soon.  Still so much more the see!

Water Park (Frontier Town)

In August, Mee-Maw and I took the kids to a cute little water park by the beach called Frontier Town.  The kids had been with Mee-Maw and Grandpa in previous summers, but I had never been.  It was another very hot day, so the water felt really good.   The kids enjoyed going down the slides, playing in the fountains, and floating around the lazy river.

                               

Jeep Rides

Of course, no summer is complete without a ride in the Jeep, with the top down.  Lauren and Charlie helped me get the top off and we hopped in for a little drive around town.  It always feels so good to be back in the Jeep and I love that I get to share these fun summer drives with my kids now.

Visits with Family

The Falicroft clan sure loves to get together for family BBQs, dinners out, and visits with family.  This summer was no exception.  In June, we enjoyed a visit with Mee-Maw's older sister, my Aunt Marty (along with the Brown Family), we also enjoyed a visit with Grammy's younger sister, Chad's Aunt SA, and we celebrated Aunt B's birthday. 

                     

Berry Picking

The kids were not as excited about this outing as I was.  It was really hot and they wanted to stay inside and play on their iPads.  I wanted to get out into the mountains and pick our body weight in raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries.  We compromised.  I spent 2 hours picking berries and my kids watched.  =)  But man were those berries good!!

                                

                               

Time with Friends

At the end of June, we were able to spend an afternoon with one of our favorite hockey families.  The Marshalls came over for a BBQ.  The kids enjoyed playing outside and the grownups enjoyed some adult beverages and catching up.  As the kids get older, our schedules get more hectic, so it is nice to find these small moments with good friends.  

                       

                               

Hockey!!

And no shocker here, but we also threw in some time at the hockey rink this summer.  Lauren and Charlie both went to a LOT of public skates, some stick n shoots, and Lauren had fun at a hockey camp.