Quick Trip to Building Museum

This Saturday we took a quick trip into DC for the National Building Museum. However I think the highlight of this trip was the metro train.  Jackson has now learned how to say Metro Train and it is super cute...I'll try to get a video for ya

Here we go!

This boy is happy - a room full of blocks and trucks!

What the metro really looks like...two kids crawling all over you!

Last Minute 4th of July Festivities

About 10:00 am on the 4th of July we decided it would be a good idea to trek up to Mt. Vernon to see the so called "day time fireworks." This seemed like a win win - Elli could see fireworks and we didn't have to stay up late.

So off we go - along with 300,758 other people in the DC/Metro area I think. We were lucky to get parking. Our kids were so flexible. Being me, small town USA girl, I pack a picnic thinking we can just eat lunch, watch the show, come home.  Well it went more like, take 30 minutes to find parking, have to leave food in car b/c we can't take it in, watch said show, go back to car for their lunch at 2pm, might as well stay all day and skip nap b/c we had to pay $40 to get in. You get the drift. But you know what? It was fun, the kids were great, and I will never forget it.

So spontaneous trip was great. And then we had spontaneous visitors at night so Elli did end up getting to see night time fireworks too.  Lucky little girl.

 Everyone was a little skeptical at first. Elli decided she loved them though. Jackson - not so much. He had to stay back with Daddy.

This cracks me up. 

Check out these pics in order.We were trying to get a pic by the tree Washington planted. But behind the tree is a military demonstration complete with cannons and muskets.  So, watch Elli as I snap pics.

Finally a family shot!  Thank you nice man who also has kids and knows both parents are never in the shot together.  

And Grandma and Grandpa Waller stopped by with strawberry pie and sparklers. Yes!

That is one brave man right there...

Our First Official Guests

We were so excited to host our first official DC guests and the best part? It was Elli's bestest buddy - her cousin Charlotte!  We left this as a surprise for the girls and they didn't know who the surprise was until they saw each other = priceless.

In 48 hours we squeezed in a trip to the White House, picnic downtown DC, and an awesome trip to the zoo.  Shew!

We can't wait to have them back - there is much more to see and do!

Waiting for our surprise guest!!

I'd say she was a bit excited?!?

See Jacob's instructions on how to get to the zoo? Follow the parkway? Seriously?!! He obviously doesn't understand my LACK of sense of direction.

Jackson decided to be a seal.

A wet paint sign actually means wet paint....

Baby lion cubs!!!!

Yep - it was a long day!

Someone wants a snack!

 Thanks so much Aunt Melissa and Charlotte for making the trip to see us. It really meant a lot!

Choo Choo

So Elli gets to have a great week in NC with Grandma Bender at VBS. That leaves us with the Jackson man. We decided to try out the metro since we would only have one kiddo to take care of on it.  It was a little harder than I thought. He wanted to be up and down and all around. But he was SOOO EXCITED to be on the choo choo.  Seriously - that is all we basically did. Rode into the city, walked around a bit, and rode back home. A perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Can you tell he is a bit excited? 

Wild Wednesdays

This summer I declared we would have (as often as possible) either a Trip Tuesday or a Wild Wednesday. Last week we decided to go to a local Tots Concert in Fairfax.  They have an interactive fountain and even had a one man band. Best part? Free ice cream samples!  Elli loved it because she loves music, loves crowds, and loves fun!  She even got up on stage before I knew what was going on. Jackson didn't love it as much because he is not a fan of crowds - but he is a fan of free ice cream!

Summer Explorations with the Kiddos

With preschool out - we've been really checking out the scene around VA.  Here are a few of our excursions...

Trampoline Park - yes it is as awesome as it sounds

 Strawberry Picking

Can you find Elli? Miss Independent!

And our neighborhood pool...best money I ever spent!